point of view

What do all these lovely ladies have in common? When I was in my preteen years, (I think!) (sometime in that general vicinity anyway) these are the kind of faces that came to mind when I heard the name "Lizzie".  Weird how you have connotations with certain names.  I don't even know where that one came from! I went through more than my share of nicknames in my childhood and early teen years.  I discovered that there are far more nicknames for "Elisabeth" in the baby name book than there are for, say, "Heidi" =)  I had a violin teacher who wrote a new nickname in my book every week for a while...  I tried to use a good deal of them.  "Beth", "Lisa", and "Liesl...

A few more highlights from my gift list: #3303 "Freedom", my word for 2014 #3314 Seeing my sweet cousin's face, even if it's over Skype #3317  Wind-chime chorus on my street #3321 Unexpectedly discovering a kindred spirit #3323 Facebook messages all full of wedding plans #3327 Breadsticks from the Olive Garden  #3330 How you know, when you walk in the door at CCEF, you will be kindly treated no matter what you're there for #3332 Thabiti Anyabwile and new crochet stitches at unearthly hours of the night #3334  A classmate who cleans the snow off my car for me #3340 "Speak Oh Lord" in church #3344 The mechanic telling me I'm "quite a lady" just because I drive stick and change my own tires...  lol #3347 The sweet lady in the grocery store who finds and returns the shopping list I dropped #3352 Being trusted with a dear friend's struggle ...

I miss my students. Lord, you know this little one he is Yours he grows please, love him? teach him to love to protect to be a gentle pursuer make him an honest fighter oh please, never let him grow numb never let that fire die please, grow him into a man who sees others unashamed to cry for the broken delighting in our laughter let him take pride in creating something with his own two hands make him an encourager, teacher, provider but more than anything let me meet him on the other side my fiery little man

when you think you've figured it out, take just a little longer there's no prize for quickest prescription. How many time have you thought through these thoughts? Again? Now turn, spin, cast "for every look at yourself take ten looks at Him" you will drown in puzzle pieces, immobilized by this inner monologue unless you let Him in tip that head back in His words the pieces settle into place navel-gazing only trips you and you are not alone this furious wrestling inside takes on meaning only when you see your surroundings horizontal and vertical For He is Author Conceiver  Weaver Creator Planner Lover and sometimes you do need to ask the silly questions. Because you are only really alive when you learn how to love learn how you're loved Because you need to come to the end of yourself to be free There is a fairly recent trend that goes along with or replaces new year's resolutions by chose one word ...

do you know how unexpected it was that you wanted to hear my story? did you know I was surprised because my stomach hurt from laughing? it took me so off guard when what you offered, gave me answers see, I've gotten used to waiting. did you guess that I'd be close to tears because you said "that makes sense"? did you know you threw me for a loop when you saw that I was down? for some reason it's hard to accept comfort. I guess I'm scared of getting used to it afraid to let myself hope what if I lose it again? ah, but pain is only tangibility the currency of value proof of richness. it'll come even if it's taken yet again it always comes.

So I usually write out some New Year's "Goals" each year...   "Goals" in hopes that I will keep them in mind even if I can't keep them perfectly.   Here are my goals for 2014: Appreciate gestures of kindness! Mark down moments with praise. Allow emotions... Remember that everyone has more to them than meets your eye.  Seek out their stories! Take opportunities. Pay attention to your money without freaking out about it. (I think thanking God for it precedes each instance of this.) Sing more. Ask for help.  (Also offer help.) Linger in the study of the glory of God. Do you make New Year's resolutions?  Or goals?  Why or why not?   If you do, what did you resolve this year?

rest warmth  coffee inside the cozy lit indecisive grey skies,  an escapee drop here and there and the weight of wisdom,  solid and satisfying praying that it will seep in saturate my heart