Life as a mom, nana and follower of Christ; hoping to share from lessons learned
Thanks to the beauty in my backyard and the recent rains making everything colorful and bright, this was an easy one for me. I went for the flowers I planted with my granddaughter to attract butterflies, then a potted plant and finally, the top of one of the pilings on our dock.
Early bird, or night owl?
That was the question. This is an easy one for me. I have always been the early bird.
By around 9pm my mind is done for the day, as far as providing intelligent, insightful conversation or coming up with any grand ideas. As a child, I remember begging my night owl sister to go to bed when I did because I was scared of the dark. She often relented because she has a heart as beautiful as morning dew on a rose.
To wake up early, and enjoy the beginning of a brand new day, fresh and new, is exhilarating to me! My thoughts are clear, my body is refreshed and my soul wakes up grateful for this life and another day to really live it!
On the rare occasion that I do “sleep in” until around 7:00, I feel like I have most likely missed something. I want to be awake to see that sun rising to usher in a new day, full of hope. Next, I want to enjoy the flurry of activity that follows, especially the bird song and others waking up. Although I’m annoying, I feel like I help to wake them up happy and move them along towards a joyful day.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. Marcus Aurelius
Stone crab boats lining up for the Annual Blessing of the Fleet
In our small town, stone crabbing is a way of life for many, a part of our culture. I took this as the boats left their docks to line up in front of the historic Rod & Gun Hotel for an annual celebration called, “The Blessing of the Fleet”. Local ministers and community gather to corporately pray for the crabbers, their safety and for a good season.
Today’s weekly photo challenge was “up” Here is my contribution…
another FL sunset
Since I work from home on a laptop all day, I try to make an effort to get outside and take a walk or work in the yard during my lunch break.
Today, as the sky threatened to open up and pour buckets on me any minute, I figured it best to stay close to home.
As I was weeding, I heard a rustle. I thought it was just lizards (here I go again, denigrating the lizards; see yesterday’s post to understand) until I saw the familiar red hue of the male cardinal. He wasn’t even four feet away from me, hanging out, hopping around in the shrubs.
I found myself both thrilled and somewhat amazed that he trusted me that much. But, after all, I am out here every day. My husband and I do keep his source of food brimming over for the continual taking.
The first time I ever saw the cardinals, they were very skittish and flew away if we got anywhere near, but with time and the proof that we care (food) and we won’t harm them, they are growing to count on the fact that they can come and go as they please. I couldn’t be happier.
You know those people who you feel like you just can’t reach? Their problems seem overwhelming; life has been seemingly overly difficult for them. You want to reach out; you want to be that listening ear, to help them in some way.
Be reminded that trust takes time especially once it has been broken. Gaining confidence takes patience. That acquaintance may have lived through hurt you can only imagine. What you perceive as anger and hatefulness might be a mask that hides years of pain. Keep smiling at them. Keep praying for them.
That teenager who lives down the street might have been burned more than once. The surly attitude and atrocious manners might be hiding abuse. Be gentle, and forbearing. But also, be diligent, and persevere. You will reach them one day. You might be the only one who cares enough to wait quietly, with ears to listen, arms to hold and a heart that beats to give hope to others.
And a note…I would be remiss if I failed to mention the Boston and West, TX tragedies that have shook our nation. We must pray diligently for swift justice to the perpetrator, spiritual, physical and emotional healing for all involved and hearts that are never hardened to another’s pain.
Blessings!
lizard on a buoy
I almost missed the little guy. He eyed me warily as I killed time carelessly glancing in his direction while I waited patiently for the chance to photograph the beautiful red cardinals that frequent our feeder. It seemed as though he was posing, wishing he was worthy of waiting for. Oh, but he is just a lizard; nothing pretty or colorful or spectacular there.
But, like all of God’s creatures and creation often does, he made me think.
Why are we always drawn to the obvious beauty, the thing that seems to captivate our attention and makes us utter exclamatory phrases?
The lizard in all his…well, his uniqueness, is helping keep the insect population down in my yard. That’s a good trait if you ask me! Some think them a nuisance, but these are just the small wild lizards that dart around all through the yard, under the porch, rattling the bushes and hasten to hide if they sense our cat skulking up to terrify them. I find them entertaining and amusing.
In my quest to enjoy the small things and be grateful for them, I want to salute Mr. Lizard here and thank him for reminding me to notice ALL of God’s creation, not just the animals and people that are blessed with outward beauty or obvious intelligence.
The Weekly Photo Challenge email said, “In a new post created for this challenge, share a picture that says CHANGE.”
As my throat constricted in the way that is so familiar lately, I knew exactly the change that my photos would represent. You see, my youngest is about to graduate from high school. I’ve been very brave all year, put on a big smile and was very careful to embrace every moment and capture as much of it as possible with my mind’s eye as well as with the lens of my camera.
Now, it’s crunch time. The date is set, the announcements are ordered, the yearbook pages are done, the banquets are beginning, and my life as I know it is about to undergo one of the biggest changes a parent can encounter.
As the calendar makes haste, without any care for my heart, towards May 31, 2013, I try to keep smiling and laughing and pretending things are perfectly normal. They are not. My husband and I will soon be empty-nesters, left alone to our own devices; no games to attend, no late night clock watching and “hurry home” texts, and no going into that messy room to wake a groggy teenager.
Thankfully, I know that we have raised her well, she has God on her side and she knows the plans He has for her. I have to remember we have accomplished much in that she is ready to go out there and make her own way in this big ole’ world. This is life, as it is meant to be.
We will make it although there will be many tears and much missing. There will also be phone calls and visits and texts and sharing of news, and more change.
This heart will trust in the One she has always trusted in for herself, her marriage and her children. There truly is a time and a season for all things under the sun. There is giving, taking and letting go. And through all of the seasons of our lives, He is there.
Ayda
When my daughter posted this picture today of my granddaughter, my first reaction was this huge smile, followed by out-loud laughter, and then of course the missing her. I made some quip about someone having dressed herself again. I’ll be the first to admit that I feel somewhat obligated to match and dress seasonally appropriate and somewhat stylish (at least enough not to embarrass my children).
This precious image stayed in my head as I put away the left-overs and took a shower. She had obviously dressed herself and was sauntering along outside, looking very content with her choices. Oh, the innocence of children!
It made me wonder. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all be so nonchalant about how we look? What if we were confident to choose what we wear with reckless abandon, never a thought about what others opinions may be and no wondering if we are committing a major fashion fax pas?
My mom used to refer to the poem “Warning”, by Jenny Joseph, more widely known as, “When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple”. She would say, “When I get old, I’m going to do, say, wear whatever I want”. My mom didn’t get the chance although she was never swayed by public opinion and said pretty much whatever she wanted to.
My mom went to heaven at a mere 49 years old. I think if she had something to say on the topic she would most definitely say that her great granddaughter, Ayda, has it all figured out.
It’s okay to wear black patent shiny shoes, sans socks and tights, with a Disney dress and a floppy purple Easter hat, and strut like you own the world while you’re doing it!
Today when I got the email for the weekly photo challenge, it was pouring down rain, a dark and dreary day. At first, I thought I would have to use all old pictures because I really wanted to use pictures representing the magnificent color in God’s creation. I used a couple of older ones, but most of these are from today, after a cleansing rain drenched the plants outside.
The challenge: What does your day look like? Here’s your chance to share with everyone a day in your life! Here are some suggestions to get started: snap a picture once an hour and share what your day was like, walk us through a typical day for you, or even just what happened today!
My Friday
I work four tens and Friday is one of my days off. My youngest daughter and I made plans to spend it together, since she didn’t have school today.
The first picture represents what I try to do first thing when I get up, my time of prayer and devotions; I don’t always succeed, but my day goes much better when I do.
Picture number two is of my daughter and I having a smoothie, called, “The Energizer”. At the time, I had no idea how much I was going to need it! The next picture is my daughter, Morgan as we entered the mall and began our quest for all things needed for Spring.
First on the second row, you can see the beautiful produce at one of the health food stores we visited; then the loot on her bedroom floor when we got home.
The last picture…..well, mama was tired, so I drove a couple of miles from home to a good spot to watch the sunset and contemplate this beautiful day and all that it represents and be refreshed. The waves gently washing up on the shore, and the lovely sunset were just what I needed as a backdrop for a few moments of solitude.
Blessings on this Good Friday!
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By Lisa Smith Molinari
Living under the guidance of the Good Shepherd. All of living should be lived in light of God's Word. I enjoy taking life's litte parts and making them practical, yet have spiritual depth.
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Life as a mom, nana and follower of Christ; hoping to share from lessons learned
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