Meeting God - everyday

Here's what I'm finding as I do my "intentional time with God" everyday. (I will go to ANY lengths to avoid the words 'Quiet Time'.)

The first day was wonderful. I was so proud of myself. I felt so energized and spiritual. I learned and heard many things that I considered posting on the web. - I didn't post because I wanted to make sure that I didn't do this in order to post on my blog.

So, anyway, the 2nd day I was tired. And I didn't "hear" anything or learn anything new about myself or the world. All I focused on was my lack of focus and clarity.

This morning, the 3rd day, I overslept. Still had a shortened time. Very utilitarian. Good things to chew on during the day, no fireworks.

Reminds me that any discipline is a discipline. You choose to do it each day. Not because of a reward you can recognize or feel, but because you are becoming disciplined and its essential (not necessarily fun).

I've also seen how quickly I want to quit something new that I take on. If I can't see the rewards or enjoy good feelings about it, I'm ready to throw in the towel. (Wow. Ugly.)

I like this. I mean I hate it. I mean I like it.
Thank you, God.

Post holiday

I've been scanning the blogs and websites that I usually read, and I'm very frustrated. No one is posting anything new to entertain me!

Then, I realized how long its been since I posted.
I've been mentally crafting that "perfect post" - but the longer I wait, the more "perfect" the next post has to be.

So, here is a brief update.
We travelled for Thanksgiving. Good time with family, lots of little kids. Not very eventful.
We decorated for Christmas on Saturday. Eliora has been carrying around a headless Joseph. The nativity set is not childproof at all, and this particular Joseph has been headless since last year. Tressa has asked if she can eat candy canes almost non-stop since we first put them on the tree. We let her have part of one each day. Walking the thin line between the sugar rush tantrum and the "I don't get what I want" tantrum. (Ah, the joys of two and a half!)

It snowed a very WET inch or two yesterday.
We went sledding in the park. The snow was so thin, we were mostly sledding on goose poop.
(Canadian geese think Amarillo is a vacation mecca.)
But, the sledding was a LOT of fun. We made about six or seven runs, then we were all soaking wet and we went home to a fire in the fireplace, and some hot chocolate.

Big holiday projects:
A felt story board nativity advent calendar.
I'll be cutting out donkeys and angels and sheep until Christmas, but I think it will be pretty cool.

Great news!!! An old friend has decided that she believes that Jesus is true. Been walking on cloud nine about that for a week, now.

I've decided to be intentional about a set aside time for me and God every day during the Advent season. Using Northumbria Daily meditations, and advent readings.
(Yeah, yeah, should have that way all year, but its not, so we start where we are, no?)
That's it for now.

Friday Poetry Extravaganza (3 of 3)

Walking at a toddler’s pace
Provides time. A gift.
Look with fresh eyes.

Dried leaves fall from the tree to go bowling
Crazily down the street in
Unpredictable lanes.

White-yellow leaves shimmer high against bright blue.
The sky spotless.
The light, neither hot nor cold,
Splashes the street with color.
Pumpkins accent porches with orange.
Red and brown trees spread across still-green yards.

A moment full of gold. Priceless.

Friday Poetry Extravaganza (2 of 3)

October Morning

Morning sun dappling the world.
Fall-specked leaves
Filter the clear light.
Letting fall an impressionist’s view of the flowerbed.
Crisp fall air makes the world a palette.
The artist nearby,
Almost in our field of view.

Friday Poetry Extravaganza (1 of 3)

Germ Warfare

Cough.
Hack. [Phlegm] Gasp.
Daughter two sounds like Darth Vader breathing in her crib.
Snort.
Sniffle. Wheeze.
Daughter one has fevered eyes.
Listlessly watching a video while wrapped up on the couch.

Both adults are sickly petulant.
Taking care of what we can.
Feverishly wash hands, dishes, surfaces, snotty faces.
Creativity running out as fast as the Kleenex.
Patience as solid as jello.
Passion as tepid as a bedtime sippy cup.