when you go for a walk in the woods...

As we were talking the other morning about his springtime hobby my oldest son said, “It’s the thrill of the hunt.”

The thrill of the hunt. He must have gotten that from me.

I get that and I said to him, “You are just like me in this except mine is over junk and yours is over Morel mushrooms.” 

We smiled over that.

After lunch, my two sons and I went to a near-by woods.

The wild Blue Bells covering the slope greeted us on the path, mingled with last year’s leaves, broken branches, stumps and full growth trees.

This was a sanctuary.

The gorgeous woods with indigo birds singing, and hidden animals scampering in the rustling leaves.

My oldest son has a degree in Forestry. 

“Look closely around the base of half rotten tree trunks. Especially Elms and Ash trees. Morels love that environment.” 

Crouching down, he modeled to my other son and me how to carefully scan the area beneath these trees to look for these particular mushrooms. 

Trees marked with lightening burn marks, trees with wood pecker holes in them, trees that were half dead.  “This takes patience.” He said.

Pointing to a tiny white flower he bent down and touched it. “These are Dutchman’s Britches”. I’ve never heard of those, but he knew them and sure enough they did resemble upside down white britches.

Dutchman's Britches

Here we were, standing and walking, looking and crouching in the midst of beauty. An unexpected detour in an ordinary day.

The birds singing in the canopy. 

My son pointing out a huge oak. 

He could name these trees just looking at the way the bark ran up the side.

Not surprising for a Forestry expert.

And three indigo birds just sitting on a branch within our view not caring that we were there at all.

After about an hour and a half the breeze had died down and the sun had become warm. No Morels were found today.

We all agreed there was no loss though. A walk in the woods on a glorious day is gift in itself.

Have a glorious weekend, friends!

Linking up today with The Weekend Brew!

if joy was a falling star

If joy was a falling star I'd capture it 
and put it in your pocket for safe keeping.

That small but mighty, glowing ember right next to your heart would light the darkest of nights and pave the way for the brightest of days.

This joy-star promises something.
It promises to make you and then keep you strong.

And when you are strong, you are mighty.

You are mighty to fight down the foes of 
fear
insecurity
depression
and every other negative emotion.

Yes, those foes threaten.
Yes, they seem stronger.

But, they are not.
The joy in you is stronger.

God promises that it is.

How can you stay in joy when everything outside you is anti-joy?

Remember the anti-dote.
The Truth is the antidote.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.

(inspired by Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”)

I'm sharing with other encouraging writers at The Weekend Brew and Spiritual Sundays.

Blessings,

When ordinary is extraordinary

A few weeks ago, during a snow storm (hopefully we are through with those this year!) I was inspired to write this poem. I was thinking about the fact that each ordinary day is really extraordinary, and I want to be mindful of that. I'm linking up today with The Weekend Brew.



Is any day ordinary? Really?
I layed down and slept
I awoke to a new day.

My body is breathing and working and beating
without me having to remind it.

This is a gift.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made
and the snowy landscape today reminds me of
the fact that I am not alone.

It is God who creates snowflakes, each one different.

February Iowa snowstorm

And, it is God who created me.
And you.
Each unique as the snowflakes, yet infinitely more valuable.
We each have different dreams
bursting at the seams.

We're each different, but the same.

We laugh.
We cry.
We love.
We dream.

Our hearts long for beauty
safety
security.

We're really more alike than different
you and I.

Tonight we'll both lie down to sleep.
We will dream
and awake to the gift of
another ordinary day.


Have a great weekend, friend!