"To live content with
small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather
than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to
listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study
hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions,
hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common--this is my symphony." ~William Henry Channing
I have become lately an observer of the small moments, the quiet moments, the moments in between the scurry and flurry of devotions, play, housework, and meal prep. Yesterday a few such moments stood out to me...
While gently rinsing bella mushrooms for dinner, I noticed in the sink's reflection the Cross. Jesus' words echoed in the quiet of my heart, "Take up thy Cross daily and follow me." Here I was, at the threshold of mundane activity and yet in a second it became an altar of spiritual sacrifice. This, among all the others, is part of my daily cross, chosen for me. And in it's simplicity I was doing the most otherworldly task that I could do. "The wise woman prepares food for her household."
In preparation for our long weekend camping trip, I braided my daughter's hair into a bajillion braids. It serves as my promise to her that all weekend long I would not try to brush or fix her hair, the point of her day that she loathes the deepest. Before dinner, I caught her in the backyard, letting the cool night breeze through her new 'do.
4:2 The visual proof that when it comes to resisiting the d.evil's i.nsidiously e.vil t.oxin of coca-cola my spirit is willing but my flesh is very, very weak. I have tried so hard to purge myself of it's poisonious allure. To no avail. After this weekend, I'm off it for good. Well, that or 30 days, whichever comes first. You, you, and you are officially recruited to keep me accountable. The rest of you, should you see me sipping my black potion in the dark corners, have pity and turn a blind eye, would you?
My morning routine is simple. Wash, brush, apply a little concealer, and underarm smell neutralizer. As you can see, no Teen Spirit for me. Nope, for me it's the Holy Spirit all the way. (Also known to the rest of the world as The Dove Who Descended, or Dove, or...whatever! I'm looking for the holy in the very ordinary, remember?!)
