Nature Feast

Sun Beams

Light Streams

Cool mist that looks like steam

Breeze flows

Cold nose

Wrapped up in cozy warm clothes

Bird flaps

Snake naps 

I walk just a few more laps

Leaves fall

Trees tall 

Big ants diligently crawl

Open skies

Sun rise

Nature feast for hungry eyes 

Nature Hunt

It's green, yellow, and velvety brown

It rivals the beauty found on a king's crown

You'll find it outside and it grows towards the light

Pay close attention, it's right within sight

It's seen outdoors when walking alone

It's soft carpet moss grown on a stone... 

Just a Little Time

I need just a little time for a mental reset

A time to recharge and to withhold any fret

Nagging, whining, and pouting galore

Then consequences come in the form of a chore

I want just a little time, a short break for myself 

To maintain my dignity and to protect my mental health

I try to maintain and not indulge in any self-pity

I Take a lighthearted view and sing a short ditty

With just a little time, I'll gain so much spiritual power

I need just a little more time, how about a few hundred hours?  

Write about Him

 

Write about His works

Write about His mercy

Write about the sun that gives us life 

For as deep as the depths of the sea

So vast is the beauty of His grace that makes us free

Vast is the beauty of His grace that makes us free

How could I not write about His goodness

How could I not write about His love

He fills my soul, He fills my soul,

He fills my soul with gratitude

Write about His works

Write about His mercy

Write about the sun that gives us life 

For as deep as the depths of the sea

So vast is the beauty of His grace that makes us free

Vast is the beauty of His grace that makes us free

Simple Acts Can Be So Profound

A five minute walk outside is good
A ten minute walk is better
A thank you note is very sweet
But what warms the heart is a letter 

Simple acts can be so profound

Give me some time to expound 

A smile at the cashier in the store

Could be the first smile they've seen in days

We don't realize that the things that we do

Impacts others in so many ways

Simple acts can be so profound

Give me some time to expound 

But what about those in your house

These are the ones we daily meet

A dream shared in the morning or  a hug at night

These little moments you just can't beat  

Simple acts can be so profound

Give me some time to expound 

You write one gratitude on a page

Five more, and your heart starts to soften

Try this for 30 days more

Then you'll want to do this more often

Simple acts can be so profound

Give me some time to expound

A Bible reading in a year is amazing

What an accomplishment to get this all done

But what I learned as a young mom

Was deep meditation on a verse; just one 

Simple acts can be so profound

Give me some time to expound

Long prayers in private are essential 

Short prayers ward off spiritual death

What I love to do even more

Is praying moment by moment, just like taking a breath 

Simple acts can be so profound

As I've learned as a student, mom, and wife

I'm so thankful for these lessons I've found

I hope to do them for all of my life... 

Soft Answers Build, Harsh Words Destroy

 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

I meditated on this verse throughout the day. There were multiple moments I consciously gave soft answers. It is a discipline I'm starting to embrace. I'm not perfect at it, but I'm loving every minute of this challenge. I'm grateful for the many opportunities where I can choose to purposely give soft answers and refrain from harshness. Each of these moments is a win. 

This Proverbs 15:1 verse also prompted a few 2 major insights: 

• Every child responds to harshness in different ways. Some do not hide their anger and it's very evident how they feel. Other children hold anger within and it's not readily visible. Parents must be careful to not fool themselves into thinking that their harsh words don't affect their child just because you can't immediately see their anger shown visibly. 

• Quality time with your child comes in simple moments.  Elaborate excursions are wonderful, but daily moments of attention are impactful as well.  If I speak in soft non-critical words, if I listen when a story is told, if I give my attention to the small moments, this builds a foundation for when my kids get older. Soon, they will come to trust me and share with me bigger and more self-disclosing secrets. In due time, my listening ear will be needed.

I'm so thankful for this verse. May our words bring life. May they build up and not destroy. 

Misty Mountain Morning Haiku

Faint mist morning air

With a hint of chimney smoke

Wakes me up- My Lungs 

"It is like the dew of Hermon that descends on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, life forevermore." Psalms 133:3