Hearts in Service

Things have started blooming and it seems as if overnight everything is coming to life. It was a tough winter for me personally and I've felt like I've been in my own hibernation. Inactivity and depression have taken a toll and it's been difficult to get out of the hole I've been in. I have never experienced depression before and it's been hard to deal with. I don't like the feelings of sadness and the lack of energy it brings.  In an effort to get out of the funk, I've been working at getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air and that definitely helps. I don't always feel like moving, but I know that when I force myself, I'll feel 100% better! I've had more energy and don't feel so down.  My tulips had been sitting tightly closed for about 2 weeks when this week they burst open. Beautiful!   Dan and I went hiking for the first time this season on Monday and it was nice to get out into the woods. We live fairly close to the Allegheny Nati...

Can you hear it? It's in the noisy chirping of birds. The winged and free, swooping and diving Speaking volumes without words. Can you hear it? It's in the movement of furry and sleek Moving and chewing, shuffling and snuffling Moving across land and creek. Can you hear it? It's in the warmth of sunshine upon my head Warming and uplifting, bringing growth and green Welcoming as I rise from my bed. Can you hear it? It's in the wind both gentle and wild Calming and refreshing, at times it is bracing Whipping and petulant as a child. Can you hear it? It's the breath in my lungs Pulling air in and out, giving life to my body Lifting chest and giving life to old and to young. Can you hear it? The voice of my God Heeding His words, spoken in all that was made Singing over all as we worship with awe. Can you hear it? Concentrate if you will Listening for it as you look all around, alert to the sound Hearing His voice requires us to be still.

I didn't sleep well last night and between nightmares and tossing and turning I feel pretty wiped out this morning. Not a great way to start Monday. I have to be honest and say that thanksgiving wasn't the first thought in my mind. But that's why the author of Hebrews says in chapter 13, verse 15, " Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." I look for the things to be thankful and to give Him praise regardless of how I feel. And the wonderful thing about giving thanks is that the feeling generally follows the giving. As I give thanks and praise His name, my attitude changes. As I look for the good things happening in my life they begin to overshadow the bad things. It doesn't change my circumstances, but it certainly changes my attitude. And that in itself is reason to give thanks. This week I'm thankful for the following: ~ Signs of spring despite the cold temperatures....

This has been such a good week and there have been so many things to be thankful about. I love Mondays when I can look back and express the gratitude I have for all the many ways I see God at work in my life. I'm going to sing His praises this morning. 🎜I started the week with a full plate and one by one managed to check the items off my list which included preparing two presentations and recording one of them. 🎜 After 7 weeks of not being able to taste or smell anything, those senses are starting to come back. I noticed it the other day when I was able to smell bars of lemongrass and sage goat's milk soap that I was making. 🎜Flowers are blooming everywhere I look, including the daffodils and tulips I planted back in the fall. 🎜I tried my hand at making my own vinegar and this batch of apple cider vinegar turned out perfectly. I'm thankful for the ability and desire to learn new things. 🎜After a long, long winter of doing not much of anything, I'm thankful that I...

The past few days have been beautiful and it looks like we are in for sunshine and warmer temperatures for the next week. After a hard winter, it's been nice to be able to get outside and breathe in the fresh air.  I could step outside my door and walk my neighborhood, but I truly find that too confining. There is something about wide open spaces, walking in the woods and being still that speaks to my spirit. I always have my camera with me so I'm ready to take a photograph of something that strikes my interest. I'm thankful that we have an Audubon center about 10 minutes from my house that provides all that I need to fill that desire within me to get out into nature. I enjoy it because each time is something different. As I walk I find any inner turmoil that I have quieting down and for a bit of time, I'm not tied to technology and busy checking off my to-do list. I'm just in the moment and enjoying the present.  I'm very social and enjoy being around people, b...

Yesterday was Easter and Christians all over the world celebrated the resurrection. They had on their new clothes and shiny, smiling Easter faces. But what happens the day after Easter?  How many show up for church just for that day, thinking they have done their duty until Christmas?  How many continue to go to church, yet, the wondrous miracle of this event in history does very little to change them?   What happens the day after resurrection Sunday, when monotonous Monday hits?    Various concerns and situations still face me. I have a to-do list that is longer than my arm. I still have to deal with the same crisis that was there before Easter. I'm still the same person with the same ongoing struggles. What happens when the normality of life keeps marching on day, after humdrum, day?   Does the resurrection still hold the same meaning when facing a painful illness, a pile of dirty laundry, and a stack of bills?  Does the joy...