The gift of Encouragement

As I was drinking my delicious Sump coffee and preparing my heart for the day, I stumbled upon the wee book of Philemon---squeezed between Titus and Hebrews--this single page of wisdom grabbed my attention.

Soaking up the words from Paul to Philemon, a man who is a fellow follower of Christ, this book provides a revelry in encouragement and hospitality.

I think sometimes we forget those gifts!! It is a gift to lovingly encourage those around you--even if they already know Christ. It is a gift to welcome people into your home, serve them a warm meal, and offer them a cozy bed.

Paul celebrates Philemon's faith in the Lord and love for all the saints stating: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." (v.7)

He then goes on and asks Philemon to welcome a fellow believer back into his home as if he is a son---a man---a brother in Christ. Paul has no doubt that Philemon will welcome this man, Onesimus, over and beyond what is asked of him. (v.21)

Whether it is opening your home for a seasonal craft brunch, having an open door policy when it comes to house guests, or simply listening with keen ears---the gifts of encouragement and hospitality are to be celebrated.

I offer a special thank you to the women in St. Louis who modeled this for me. You each have done an excellent job of building community through mutual encouragement and blessing. Thank you for continually exemplifying for me the art of the selfless giving.

Hummingbirds and other creatures of the earth

Living in the country has its perks.

I love the fact that I can spontaneously waste time by staring out my picture window, glazed eyes shining, mind filled with the complexities of being a duck.

A tame duck, at that.

You could pet our ducks if you wanted to. They are that tame. Because they are basically pets. (Not ours, our landlord's)... They have a hut. They walk in a straight line everywhere...But I digress.

I love the fact that I can be busy wrestling the garbage bag out of the trashcan, sweat glistening on my brow, biceps getting a workout, foot awkwardly trying to hold the container down while I heave-ho, and all of a sudden I glance out the window to see a charming flitting hummingbird peering through the window taking in my battle with waste.

(In that mili-second I realized that hummingbirds have a way of piercing the soul and seeing who you really are. This realization has perpetuated an innate desire in me to have a hummingbird feeder so I can regularly be seen for real. Maybe then my ability to talk to the animals will come to fruition and not be a figment of my imagination.)

I also love the fact that I can take any of my work or pleasure outside and do it by a pond (a green pond, but that is beside the point). I have been trying to be "productive" while simultaneously enjoying all that is around me. I regularly take Red's camping chair (his reclines--) and nestle it in our sometimes tallish grass and pretend like I'm French and incredibly genius. (Because these things are necessary in life?)

I've had a lot more time on my hands to be enjoying the outdoors. Red started up football camp this week--so our times together will forevermore be short and few. (Ok, not forevermore--but definitely most of the time...)

It's been fun returning to my bachelorette days--but challenging as well---what does one do when one has 12 hours straight of not interacting with another human being?

I'll tell you:

Nap, read, look for work, plan meals, eat snacks instead, and work-out.

This doesn't sound too bad--but human interaction is welcomed. Perhaps this is why I have taken to the animals.

What do you do when tons of alone-time is suddenly upon you?

Living Today as it is Supposed to be Lived

Living in the moment is a difficult challenge. There are always so many other things we could be doing--and so we fill our minds with what needs to be done, what we wish we were doing, what we could be doing, what we ought to be doing, and what we know we shouldn't do.

Quickly the day devolves into a flash of events narrated by the to-do list and the wish-list filling our brains. Worry of something slipping and failure consume us. We miss the opportunities all around to connect with people, smell roses, and to actually enjoy our day.

Yes, we have responsibilities. Yes, we do have to manage a gazillion things. But I challenge you. What if today you focused 100% on what is in front of you. Still make that list--but when you are doing the laundry or talking to  friend on the phone, be 100% engaged. Be there. 

As I was checking out at Walmart this morning, my cashier and I struck up a conversation. From Haiti, this man had a joyful temperament that was infectious. Before I reached the register, 4 or 5 colleagues came up just to talk to him--and he was laughing and bringing life to everyone he engaged with. His presence brought a smile to my face.

Exchanging pleasantries, he warmly asked how my morning had been so far and I replied by saying that I had no complaints. He heartily responded with, "Isn't that the truth? You went to bed last night and woke up this morning!" I smiled and said, "That's right!"

Friends, I quickly I responded! But do I truly operate out of that blessing? Do I really live as if today is a gift from God and not just another day to be filled? How different my vision for my day is when I realize the value it has. 

Today is not just another day. Refuse to give into that. Today is a day that you have an opportunity.

An opportunity: to get ahead in house work; to call a friend you haven't spoken with in a while; to read a book that moves you; to teach your child the beauty of forgiveness; to snuggle with your spouse; to push through that work deadline; to enjoy the gift of a car (even if it is in traffic!); and the list goes on.

So, do not worry about tomorrow. Instead, be where you are and enjoy life as it comes to you. It will not always be an easy life, but it will always be yours.

Matthew 6:25-3425 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Country Retreat

Our new retreat has its pros and cons:

Pro:

Our pond.
Our beautiful front window.
The dozens of bird types right out our door.
Getting to plant a garden.


Con:

Mice.


Whoa.

I am a city girl---something I have not been forced to claim until now.

Now, we have mice and I have to accept the fact that I am unable to set traps (or more importantly to clean up  aforementioned set traps).

Red has been a brave, brave man. We have officially caught 2 and I have a feeling that there are a few more to go.

EEP.

Pray for my survival.

Carolina Green

Spring in NC has been remarkable.

Never before have I seen Wisteria growing wild along side the roads and highways or been blown away by the slow changing from the pale pink to hurt your eyes purple flowers of the Japanese Plum Tree.

It has been transforming for me to observe the changes of the season. The dry gray place we moved to has suddenly brilliantly awaken with blossoms blooming, the spaces between filled with every shade of green imaginable.

The greens here are wild. Seriously. I know Ireland is known for their green--but North Carolina could join the contest.

As we drive along country roads my eyes are trained on the world beyond my window drinking in the vibrancy we pass through: lime, olive, almost black, emerald, avocado, apple, hunters------green.

Our driveway

I am so glad Spring is here! Aren't you?