Summer's Rest

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock

We are off to the coast for some much needed relaxation and to enjoy this day's all too quickly fleeting beauty!Time flies much too quickly when one is middle aged.There are days I long for the seemingly eternal summer days of my childhood where time seemed non existent but for the ever changing position of that huge golden orb we call the sun.To lie on one's back and stare at summer clouds without fear of sun damage is a memory of my childhood I hold dear.What memories of summer do you treasure?
Blessings~Sharon

My Week

It's been quite a week here.Spring weather finally arrived just in time for summer to begin.God surely has a sense of humor.Smile.I ended up in ER again for my heart had jumped out of rhythm once again.I was shocked back into rhythm.But it took 2 doses of medicine to sedate me and three tries to shock me back into rhythm.That means my body is building an immunity to such things.I did not welcome that news at all.I am still in rhythm,praise the Lord.I see the cardiologist tomorrow.I do hope that he does not mention the dreaded"P"word.Pacemaker.I am too young and in many ways too healthy for such a thing. I know that is simply my non-medical opinion.And no one welcomes invasive surgery.But it is possible he will discuss it tomorrow.I am really hoping it all was just caused by a change of medications a few months back.What can I say,I am an optimist.Big grin.I know God is in control and that He loves me.I just don't understand His ways at times.It seems I have had need of a lot of sifting.And He has allowed it.I just must keep in mind that sifting purifies and refines us as His children.That it makes us fit for ministry and for heaven.And it is therefore necessary.We did some spring cleaning this week.I just love to look out of sparkling clean windows.It just brightens the day and allows for a clear,unobstructed view of the verdant beauty that is Oregon in the summer time.I feel so blessed,blissful really to live in such a state.I grew up in Sacramento CA and never thought, that at age 30, God would move me to Oregon.But He did.And I have been here ever since.Our apartment complex held a summer solstice festival here yesterday.I had thought of not going.It is very easy for me,a writer and avid reader to be what some would deem anti-social.My loves,my hobbies,my talents,my gifts,are solitary pursuits.I was created by God to be this way.I have never minded being alone.Consequently,I must sometimes force myself into the company of others,much to my husband's chagrin.He gently encouraged me to go and enjoy the festivities so I joined him,our daughter and granddaughter.And I am glad I did.There was a colorful parade of many of the children who dwell here and pets all decked out with balloons and such.Chalk art contests,hula hoop contests,prettiest pet contests.What fun I had!I chatted in the shade of a lovely tree with another tenant whom we used to attend church with years back.Occasionally a lovely breeze would grace us with it's refreshing presence, taking the edge off of the heat.Or an overly excited puppy would come over for some love and attention which I willingly gave for I adore animals.We finished off the festival with a donut provided by one of the tenants who works at a donut shop!And,Steve and I were also given pinwheels,along with the children to"play"with as we sat there enjoying the day's festivities.Huge grin now.They awakened a long forgotten childhood love of things that blow in the wind.They each now grace a pot of pansies on our patio,waiting for a delightful wind to set them in motion.I really needed this respite.This return to childhood.It's far too easy to become too mature,too adult like.I need to remember how to have fun.For this too,I think,is a gift from God.A way to alleviate the stresses that come with adulthood.Today we will babysit at noon.Right now I am enjoying the quiet hum of our air purifier and the gentle sleep sounds of my husband and cat.And I love it.It's peaceful.Comforting.Like a hug from God.May your day be filled with many hugs from Him too.

Blessings~Sharon

Potpourri

I titled this potpourri for it is not about one specific thing.It is about a variety of things that have all been blended together and have made up my life lately.I have not blogged in awhile nor have I been to visit many of your blogs.I miss it terribly but it seems that as of late the words won't come.They swirl about in my brain occasionally as if to tease me,tempt me,seduce,me,dare me to pour their content out upon this blank page.They come near,and then,like a skittish colt,they run off again,flying like the wind,and I am left alone to ponder their exit.Not completely alone for I know God is with me.But alone in that place writers know well at times.That place where the words seem frozen.Encased in ice as thick and unyielding as an Alaskan glacier.What does one do when the creativity seems to have vanished?When the words refuse to flow.For myself,I pray.I ask God to see me through this time of blank pages and seemingly dried up pen.And I await His warmth to once again blow His spirit,His presence, His breath,His"ruach"( a lovely Hebrew word)upon my life and writing.In this period of waiting I have helped hold a garage sale here in our complex.It was this last weekend.And I am glad it is done.We made a bit of money.And more importantly we were able to rid ourselves of things we no longer needed to hold on to.If we do that with stuff in our physical lives,how much more do we need to rid ourselves of those things that clog and clutter our spirit man.It was good to enjoy the sunshine and cool breezes God graced us with last weekend.We met some of our neighbors and their pets and children.And we survived all of it.If you've ever held a garage sale you know what I am talking about.Smile.Also during the last 2-3 weeks I finished my first ever proofreading job for a small,newly formed Christian publishing company called Revolutionary Disciples Media!They loved my work and want to hire me!That's pretty exciting for this 46 year old who has never worked in publishing ever.It will start small at first but God says not to despise the day of small or humble beginnings.I am rejoicing that I get to be a part of getting good writing out to those who need encouragement or need to be set free through the power of His holy spirit via the written word!If you are looking for a publisher please follow the link I have included above.I think it will be worth your time(of course I am slightly partial).Big grin.That's all I have for tonight dear readers.Be encouraged and blessed!Blessings~Sharon

Narrow and Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference...

Robert Frost

"Enter by the narrow gate;for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,and there are many who go in by it.Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life,and there are few who find it."

~Matthew 7:13-14~

~Image from The Morgue File~

Rain

It's a lovely,cool and rainy night here.I am relaxing and listening to classical crossover on Yahoo music.And I am just enjoying the presence of the Lord.For me,sheer bliss,for I see His grace in every drop of rain that falls.

Rain is grace;rain is the sky condescending to the earth;without rain,there would be no life.

~John Updike~

Image courtesy of The Morgue File