HEART'S CRY

Simplifying my life and my purpose is my mission. To live simply and with contentment.   The truth is living simply is grueling.  It takes great discipline and commitment.  Neither of which is easy nor pleasant. It takes staying still, when I want to do something.  Anything. I am finding it is easier to be in a rush.  The familiar rush of adrenaline that accompanies modern life has become my way of life.   Abiding, instead of avoiding.     Accepting, instead of seeking distraction.   I have been in this process for a week now.   I have a long way to go.   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.     I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him wh...

 It's the little things. The connections. The people. My permaculture. Sustains me. Hawthorn Tree Tree Blossom Texture Little Lantana David & Crawl

Most of us choose beliefs as a child picks flowers.   Skipping down a lane or riding a bike down the street provides the perfect opportunity to pick flowers for Mom.   When my boys were little, we had to be careful to teach them to which flowers were allowed to be picked and which ones were not.  A neighbors prized poppies were not an option!!  When they were older and began to garden with me, I had to teach them what plants grow together and which belonged in another area. If not taught, adults tend to do the same thing.  Picking up a thought or an idea here and another there.  Bringing them home and tucking them away into a compartmentalized part of their heart and mind.  Instead of a sustainable, integrated and functioning faith, people are left with a shallow and unsystematic belief. Why does this matter?  It is a sandy, unstable and constantly moving foundation.  Not the kind of place to build a house, a life or a beli...

Sundays can be complicated.  This day of rest, pumped in to overdrive.  I used to dread Sundays.  And I'm a Pastor's wife. Sundays looked and felt like a marathon at one time in our lives.  Getting boys up.  Getting them dressed and redressed.  Final touches on Sunday School and Children's church projects.  Loading the kids, projects and God help me if it was potluck Sunday.   I was exhausted, splattered or puked on, before ever getting to the door of the church building.  Admonishments and threats.   Expectations cranked into overdrive.  Sunday School, Children's church and take someone out to lunch with tired and grumpy boys, attempt a nap and back to church for Sunday night worship.  Then back home to plan for a week of work, school and full schedules.    One Sunday morning, after losing it entirely three times in a row, I began to question all of the expectations we put on ourselves and our church family....

Rain I love everything about rain. Drip. Run. Pour. Sprinkle.  Shower. Deep soaking rain or a "gully" washing rain. Coming straight down or sideways with the wind. Rain gently falling hypnotizing a household. I love everything about rain. I love everything about rain. Birds beside the gutter gorging on worms. Children's laughter as they play in puddles or dance in a warm rain. Old men's worry lines ease as they look out the barn door. A wives slow exhaled prayer of thanks. I love everything about rain. I love everything about rain. The leaves open and the grasses relax. An opening.  Softening. A reviving. Rain recharging the soil with life and washing the dust from death. I love everything about rain. I love everything about rain. The sweet smell of the rain on the air. Refreshing soul, spirit and mind. An awakening.  Imagination and ideas come back to life. Hope.  Rain brings the hope of new life. I love everything about rain. I love e...