Wanting to post another entry here on honey girl's blog spot over the past few weeks, several drafts have been composed but nothing felt right. You know I like to keep it simple. Today, then, allow me to simply share the following quote:
To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich
to study hard, think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars, and birds,
babes and sages, with open heart,
to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
await occasions, hurry never-
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)
I like it. It holds a reflection of this blog spot's purpose - to post simple reflections expressing gratitude for God's goodness and abundant provision. It reminds, me, too, of a plaque hanging on my wall, which affirms this truth - Beckoned or not beckoned, God is present.
Taking a cue from starsandstillness, I'll add this caveat:
"As always, this quote is not a recommendation of the author’s general work, about which I know next-to-nothing."
Where are you aware of God's goodness and abundant provision -
unbidden and unconscious growing up through the common?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
simply me
Today's post stems from some ponderings that I've been absorbed with after someone asked the question, "when are you most completely you?"
I am most completely me when I'm in a creative space. There are several facets to Honey Girl's creative side - I'm a writer, yes. I'm also a baker and a musician. (Does my interest in photography make me a photographer?) These are some of the creative processes that feed my soul - that flow out of my true self and give expression to the woman that God created me to be.
I am also most completely me when I'm in a relational space as a spiritual director and spiritual companion - fully present to those around me.
Another scope of these ponderings is a reflection of my relationship with the ONE who calls me friend. Whether blogging, baking, making music, in community, or practicing silence and solitude, my hope is that my heart's desire is clearly echoed by these words of Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God:
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.
I invite you to consider this question, when are you most completely you?
When are you most fully alive, living out of your true self, in possession of God?
I am most completely me when I'm in a creative space. There are several facets to Honey Girl's creative side - I'm a writer, yes. I'm also a baker and a musician. (Does my interest in photography make me a photographer?) These are some of the creative processes that feed my soul - that flow out of my true self and give expression to the woman that God created me to be.
I am also most completely me when I'm in a relational space as a spiritual director and spiritual companion - fully present to those around me.
Another scope of these ponderings is a reflection of my relationship with the ONE who calls me friend. Whether blogging, baking, making music, in community, or practicing silence and solitude, my hope is that my heart's desire is clearly echoed by these words of Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God:
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.
I invite you to consider this question, when are you most completely you?
When are you most fully alive, living out of your true self, in possession of God?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Simply grateful
Summer is in full swing and this post invites me to give expression of simple gratitude as the rhythm of the seasons pulses along.
This morning found me grateful for flitting hummingbirds and butterflies in the perennial garden and a pair of wild turkeys strolling in the back yard with their ten chicks. Now, as dusk settles in, I'm grateful for lingering daylight and flickering fireflies. In the growing darkness, I’m grateful for the faithful appearance of Venus in the Western sky. Bird song has settled down for the night and a chorus of crickets has taken up the beat.
Except for the awareness of these simple pleasures it might have been an ordinary day.
I’m so thankful for eyes to see and ears to hear these evidences of God’s goodness and abundant provision.
How might you give affirmation of the same during these summer days and nights?
This morning found me grateful for flitting hummingbirds and butterflies in the perennial garden and a pair of wild turkeys strolling in the back yard with their ten chicks. Now, as dusk settles in, I'm grateful for lingering daylight and flickering fireflies. In the growing darkness, I’m grateful for the faithful appearance of Venus in the Western sky. Bird song has settled down for the night and a chorus of crickets has taken up the beat.
Except for the awareness of these simple pleasures it might have been an ordinary day.
I’m so thankful for eyes to see and ears to hear these evidences of God’s goodness and abundant provision.
How might you give affirmation of the same during these summer days and nights?
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