CHRISTMASTIDE

BLESSED CHRISTMASTIDE!

      I was watching a ‘Special’ on TV regarding Old England’s traditions during the Twelve Days of Christmas.  It reminded me that there are others in the world who begin their Christmastide celebration the day of the

Christ Mass, December 25, and not before.  I was telling my brother of these traditions during our long telephone conversation.  He was fascinated.  His wife had given him presents for twelve days prior to Christmas day thinking that was the original tradition.  Needless to say, it was a great opportunity to share Christian traditions with one I love dearly.

This twelve day interval, called Christmastide, begins December 25 and ends January 6, when we celebrate the Epiphany, that ‘aha moment’ when the Magi discover the divinity of Jesus in Bethlehem.  Thus, these twelve days tie the ‘old’ year and the ‘new’ year together as we begin a new journey with the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

      In the Tudor traditions of Henry VIII, there were no festivities before Christmas day.  In fact, Advent, the four weeks before the Christ Mass, was a time of fasting.  No eggs, no cream, no sugar (which was so expensive that even the king measured it carefully), no wine or ale, and meat only once a week.  People also “fasted” from revelry, parties or even weddings, which would have to wait until after Epiphany.

So, on Christmas day there was a grand feast in the kingdom and the finest piece of meat was served, a stuffed Boar’s head.  Actually, the head was hollowed out and the finest of the pork was ground, a bit like spam, and stuffed back into the head.  The choir, pipers and lutes marched before the grand entrance of this fine piece of work as the parade of food entered the king’s dining room.  This boar’s head was an expensive gift even for a king!

The king’s kitchen prepared so much food for the court that they had plenty of leftovers.  Thus, they created a “First day of Christmas” tradition.  They ’doled’ out the uneaten food to the poor, over 1/3 of the population.  This enabled all to have some reason to rejoice on Christmas day after attending church.  "On the DOLE" became a phrase used for centuries when the needy receive alms. 

The Second day of Christmas is always set aside to remember our first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.  Remember the words to the ancient song?  "Good King Wenceslas went out, on the feast of Stephen . . . "  He went out the day after Christmas, the day when we think of Christian martyrs who stood strong in their faith when threatened with death.  This good king was known and loved for his strong faith in Christ.  He also gave the leftovers, the ‘dole,' to the poor.    

       Although this sad day of remembrance of Stephen’s death was a 'feast' day for the poor, we are also reminded to stand firm in our Christian faith when threatened with death.  Like Stephen, a deacon in the church, we are given Holy Boldness to persevere even unto death.  After the festivities of Christmas day, we are brought into the reality of the challenge of remaining strong in our faith.

     By the third day of Christmas we may still be enjoying the food from Christmas Day.  For many, the revelry is just getting started.  In fact, in the 1500s the breaking of the Advent fast meant that the people could now play games, tricks, on one another or do devilish deeds during Christmastide.  

During these twelve days of Christmas neighbors would wear grotesque masks and join others as they visited their selected neighbor on these darkest nights of the year.  These ‘mummers’ could not say anything but they could only ‘murmur’ or say ‘mmmmm.’  To this day groups of people all over the U.S. have a ‘Mummers’ parade, like that in Philadelphia on New Year’s Day.  They dress extravagantly in  ‘bling-filled’ costumes and prance through streets with brass playing in their midst.

In Tudor times this ‘parade’ of neighbors was far less extravagant.  They would visit a specific neighbor and knock on their door. Upon opening the door and seeing these grotesquely clad people, this neighbor would be obligated to invite them in for a simple game, “Throw of the dice.”  If the dice were thrown the exact number twice, the one who was visited was obligated to hand over a few coins. Of course the dice were weighted so the one visited would always loose.  This was expected.  Part of the game was to guess who was behind each mask as treats were served.  This Christmas tradition soon faded as these ‘tricks and treats’ were moved to All Hallows Eve or Halloween.

       This Fourth Day of Christmas we take time to remember the ‘holy innocents.’ When the Magi visited King Herod, they asked where they could find the ‘new born king.’ They fully expected this new king to be in the house of Herod.  Herod knew nothing and, after securing information from his court regarding this ‘king,’ he was enraged.  Finding out there was born a ‘King of kings’, Herod did not want to be usurped by any other ‘king’.  

     Herod estimated that this king-child would be about two years old by the time the Magi visited.  So, he ordered the death of all male babies in the area who were about two years old.  Some historians estimate about 250 babies were killed in Bethlehem but we do not know if Herod’s edict was followed beyond this area.  Innocent babies were killed because of a deranged leader.  Therefore, this day of remembrance is called Holy Innocents’ day.

      The fifth day of Christmas brings glad tidings.  We have become familiar with the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, but this song was written long after the Tudor period.  Stories fly through the air of each day’s

symbols telling the story of Christ’s birth but this may not be true.  The song, published in England in 1780 without music, was a lyrical chant or rhyme created for this Christmastide but is thought to be French in origin.  Over the decades various renditions were published, including the one we now know with music.  

     Catholics all over the world celebrated this season before King Henry decided to protest the rule of a Pope and declare himself ‘ruler’ of the ‘protest’ . . . protestant.  [This transition to the protestant faith is far more complex but I simplify here to keep the context of Christmastide.] Therefore, protestants retained the traditions of these twelve days, Christmastide, as they broke off from their Catholic roots.

“The fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five golden rings!”

Indeed, this gift would be far too generous even for a king.  Yet, during the seventh and eighth days of Christmastide, December 31 and January 1, the rich and powerful would woo the king with fine gifts as the king would also give gifts to them.  The king might receive 20-30 shirts as he would need many.  He changed his shirt as many as three times a day.  

        Most often, the king would receive far more than he gave away.  This helped pay for that grand feast that was served on Christmas day.  Everyone else in the kingdom would wait until the proper day, Epiphany, not Christmas day, to share their simple gifts with one another.

      As we move through these twelve days, events blur together.  Selected days still stand out such as the ninth day of Christmas.  According to Jewish tradition, eight days after the birth of a male, the child is dedicated to the Lord, thus being circumcised as a sign of his faith.  Mary and Joseph took their child to the temple to be blessed and circumcised on the eight day after his birth.  Perhaps, in Tudor times, they counted days after Christ’s birth.  

      In Jewish tradition, the date of birth is the first day so circumcision is usually on the eighth day.  I was told that there was a medical reason to wait eight days.  It took about eight days for the baby’s body to be medically ready for this simple procedure.  God’s words to His chosen people regarding what to do to honor him were totally in line with how he created us.  God, our creator, created us creatively.  Always amazing to me.  

Christians do not consider circumcision to be necessary to show our dedication, our faith, in the Lord.  However, circumcision continues to be a standard practice after birth for good health.  No need for an eight day waiting period except for those who practice the Jewish tradition, a grand celebration still honored to this day.

      Revelry and drinking far too much ale continued

throughout Christmastide with its culmination on Epiphany.  For soldiers in the king’s army, much drinking and playing of games was illegal during the year except during these twelve days.  It seems that these young men should have no time for fun and games.  Any time they have outside of their daily duties should be used to maintain their archery skills.  Interestingly enough, these twelve days are set aside to break all rules.  I wonder if the enemies of the king realize that the kingdom would be mighty vulnerable during this festive day?  

      Herbs and spices were added to wine to make it last longer.  Thus began the tradition of ‘mulled wine’ during these cold winter days.  Honey added to ale was called Mead and was also enjoyed during these days of revelry.

Remember jousting?  This was an ancient sport that turned into dancing.  Instead of the bloody sport of a few chosen knights, the court would play out this tradition through complex dances.  Dance told the story.  Courtiers spent much time learning intricate dances where they could show their skill and, perhaps, their status, not unlike those who learned to joust.

        And so we come to the end of Christmastide, Epiphany.  This is the twelfth day, the most important celebration of Christmastide.  This is the day, not Christmas day, in which gifts use to be shared.  The ham or turkey or chicken was basted for hours.  Sweets, like marzipan, were shared by the wealthy.  Most of the population shared decorated cakes and biscuits (cookies).  We still share these traditions but most likely before Christmas day.

On the day of the Epiphany many churches have a short pageant reminding us of the Magi’s discovery of Jesus.  Our manger scene remains in place up to this day as the choir procession leads the three children dressed

as ‘Wise Ones’ walks behind bearing gifts to be placed before baby Jesus.  We forget to remember that it took these Persian men well over a year to arrive in Bethlehem.  They may well have taken a year of discernment before they packed up for the journey.  Jesus was a toddler by now and Mary and Joseph lived in a house.  Yet, this is a moment in time for us to plant in our hearts.

We celebrate that ‘aha’ moment of discovery, of wonder, of understanding.  It’s a reminder to each of us to ask ourselves if we truly know the One we celebrate during Christmastide.  Do we celebrate because we know and love and believe in Jesus, the incarnation from God, the One who lived among us, was crucified and resurrected from the dead?  

First, REJOICE!

EnJOY these moments of celebration.

Next, REFLECT.

Ask yourself what this season of rejoicing really means to you.

Then, RECEIVE.

Ask the Lord to manifest His presence in you in new ways throughout this coming year.  Seek deeper understanding of your faith in Jesus Christ.

Find new ways to grow, a new group to join or even lead, new ways to worship Him.

May God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit bring renewed JOY to you this coming year as you maintain beloved, even ancient, traditions in your adoration of Jesus, the Christ, our King of kings, our Lord of lords.

NOVEMBERANCE !

Novemberance!

  A wonder-filled word that only Ogden Nash could create.  Actually, as I remember chuckling over the made-up words in his simple poems I smile and try to create a

few words myself.  It’s all about remembrance and what a better month to remember those who have shaped my life than this month.

Isn’t it those silly moments of remembrance that trigger long lost memories with one who helped to shape your life?  Perhaps it’s an author whom you love or a relative or even a person you met for only a moment of your day who affirmed or helped to change the direction you were heading in your life journey.

November triggers those memories for me.  Perhaps it is the profound gratitude I have for those who fought for my freedom and continue to do so as we celebrate Veterans Day.  Perhaps it’s the abundant Thanks to God we take a special day to celebrate when we join others for a Thanksgiving meal.  Memories of relatives, friends, acquaintances and, yes, authors, who made a profound impact in my life flood my mind at the oddest moments.

For instance, one day I offered to spend time with my girl friend’s mother who visited for a short time and whose daughter had to work that day.  We sat on the dock below a tiny cottage my friend rented and talked about life and purpose and topics I no longer remember.  I never saw or heard from my friend’s mother again.  Yet, her listening ear, wisdom and guidance were part of a major pivot point in my life that led me to faith and a life devoted to Jesus Christ.  I can’t even remember her name but I remember where we sat and chatted and how new life entered my soul.

Little did I know that dozens of people were praying for me.  My grandmother, my aunt, my cousin, my step-mother, girlfriends, fellow workers and so many more.  I remember how they influenced me only in hindsight.  It’s not that I lived a wild and crazy life but it’s because they all were on a path that I could not see to follow.  They prayed that I would join them on their journey in Christ.  It’s as if one person’s prayer for me bounced off of another and then another so that I was literally surrounded by people’s prayers for months and years before I ‘discovered’ what they each had known and lived for decades.

I remember the stories from my mom who shared visions of her idyllic life as a child.  In fact, she grew up very poor but with a loving brother, mother, aunt and grand parents in the same residence.  She embraced the freedom of playing among the orchards and sailing with her wealthier friends on the lake where they lived.  Her life was less than ideal but her remembrance was beautiful and tranquil.  

Her mother, my grandmother, became a huge influence to me and my siblings.  She babysat and was close as we grew up.  When I was little she would bathe me and then wrap me in a big towel, sit in the lovely rocking chair that was in our bathroom, and sing lullabies to me.  

As we grew older she took my sister and I to the local department store for lunch on special occasions.  I even wore my little white gloves and the cafe hostess wore a huge flowered handkerchief in her dress pocket.  Her name was Miss Amy.  The love that flooded from both my grandmother and Miss Amy (for those brief luncheon moments) was endless.

I remember my grandfather on my father’s side.  I was five when he died but on Sundays, after church, we would visit him, all six of us in our family.  I remember sitting on his lap as he rocked in his chair and cracked peanuts for me.  Where were my siblings who were very close to my age?  I have no idea.  It’s as if I were the only one in the room when I spent just a few minutes each visit with him.

  It was that instant of connection that I remember.  A moment of feeling loved.

Only in hind-sight do I remember those love-moments.  My parents loved me very much but I never recognized that love until much later in life.  My siblings and I loved each other very much but not until long-lost memories began to flood my mind could I truly embrace that love.  In fact, my brother, who died too young from Multiple Myeloma, has a greater influence on me now than he did when he was alive.  He was a photographer who used a very old technique to develop black and white photos.  I saw his life as stark and colorless.  Yet, I now realize that he filled each day with that which he loved and lived exactly as he and his wife chose.  I see it now in his photos that seem to come alive as I flip through the pages of the book he published.

Speaking of published works, my other brother should be writing his third book but he is too busy raising money for kids with a myriad of physical challenges so they can enjoy a camp experience with others who have the same challenges.  His zest for life seems endless and the pace he and his wife maintain takes my breath away.  He knows how to have a great time, give a great time, see the good in tough circumstances and encourage me to keep on doing what I love to do, whatever that might be.

My sister, the botanical artist, stimulates my creativity.  I marvel at her ability to sit for hours lingering over the finest vane of a maple leaf.  She sent a digital picture of her drawing next to the leaf she picked off the ground.  I had a very hard time seeing the difference.  Her gift of seeing is precious to my myopic eyes.  I not only have very poor eye sight but I cannot ‘see’ what she sees with shadows and colors and shapes.  I have other gifts.  Yet, I find joy in her gifts.  She gives away to dear friends her artistic gifts when she creates meaningful cards for each occasion.  I remember her daily

as I have so much of her art all over the house.

It is interesting that none of my siblings chooses to follow the Christian path I have chosen.  Yet, the gift of their influence in my life continues to make memories in my heart.  All of us siblings have an artistic bent in one way or another.  It’s good to remember our contributions as a whole which connects us to a long line of very intelligent, creative relatives.  My mother and her mother were fine pianists but mom was also artistic with decor and so much more.  Most of my brother’s excellent writing comes from my father’s side.  His mother was a published poet whose works I refer to often.   My cousin spent a year deciphering her chicken scratches on snippets of paper that were placed in a box, an unforgettable gift to the entire family.  We all now have a very thick volume, shared digitally, of nearly all my grandmother’s works.  She wrote poems for birthdays, special days, daily days, everything.  Her poems help me to remember much family history. Fabulous!

My aunt on my dad’s side was the greatest influence in my life.  She made me crazy with her positive attitude . . .

always!  Everything was roses and tulips in January.  She

had incredible challenges throughout her life but she pressed through them as if they were a small pile of fluffy snow.  Raised very poor, as was my father, she and my dad worked while they received one college degree after another.  She and dad had goals they were determined to meet.  Each time they set out to do something they achieved their goal with honors.  Both excelled in whatever they did not only because they were very intelligent (so was my mom) but because of their determination to accomplish what they set out to do.

Because of my aunt, with whom I spent a great deal of time during my journey into the Christian life, I have gleaned that same determination to “press on toward the goal” much like the Apostle Paul.  Pressing through tough times, seeking the positive side of a bad situation, choosing to see the best in others even though the flaws are numerous, my aunt taught me to do the same.  

One caveat.  

     I battled a very negative attitude about life into my mid-adult years.  My aunt helped reshape my attitude, along with much prayer from others.  Meditation  and my growing faith, over decades, have helped me come closer to what I think my aunt could see in me.  Bless her heart, she lived until 104 because, in my heart, I needed her presence on this earth that long . . .  and so did her own family and the hundreds she influenced until her very last weeks of life.  I could write volumes about her but I need to end this very long Novemberance.

To sum it all up, remembrance this November is no

different than any day of the year or of my life.  Each day another anecdote comes to mind from all the memories given to me by all those who love me enough to stop for a moment, or for many moments, to share their lives with me.  As I write, there are more names and remembrances that flood my soul like a sweet bouquet that my sister created on this pillow I cherish.  I cannot share them all.

Yet, I must now pass the gifts from others’ lives that I remember to the next generation.  I pray that lives I touch for even a moment might receive a word of

encouragement to know they are loved.  
I begin with prayer for each individual in our wide, extended family, for each person who touches my life even for a moment and desires prayer.  
The list is long.  

I begin to imagine dear souls in the Northwest and work my way across the U.S. to the Southeast

Prayer brings remembrance.

And right now, today, it’s Novemberance!

OCTOBER OVERTURES

This a reflection was given to a group studying the Beatitudes, Matthew 5,6,7.  EnJOY!

Although you are unable to close your eyes, find a comfortable position in your chair and imagine where these words take you.

Make sure you are in a quiet place with no distractions.

Visualize . . . wander with me as I share  words that hopefully will enhance your sense of BEING.

God created us in His image . . .  human beings . . .  not human doings.  Time and space was created just for us . . . to BE . . .  to breathe in the pace of life, one step at a time, to take a time out once in awhile in order to enhance our attitude according to what God created us to be.

Imagine that you choose to spend time alone with God.  

You select a lovely knoll next to a stream under a large tree that provides protection from the sun.  

It’s a beautiful sunny day with just enough breeze to enhance the balmy temperature.  You have allowed two-hours to linger unimpeded by unnecessary distractions.  

You have taken nothing with you:  no phone, no bible, nothing to write on or write with.   You are well fed, well watered, well-emptied and ready to simply BE.  

You have only the very comfortable outfit you are wearing and a large, thick, waterproof mat to sit upon.  

The mat fabric feels soothing to bare feet.     

If you doze off for a few moments or the full two hours, you must need the rest. 

 You can select another time for your two hours with the Lord.

Remember, you are sitting on a beautiful knoll where you can see far and wide.  

A brook, with rocks, nooks and crannies, softly trickles beside you.   

Trees, large and small, rustle their leaves.  

It’s you and this beautiful natural setting.  

It’s just you and the Lord taking some time together to simply BE.   

After you look around for a few minutes and drink in the simple wonders of nature, what then?  What do you do for the next two hours? 

What would your attitude be after about 15 minutes, then 45 or after One hour much less two?

My guess is that for the first 15-30 minutes our well-being will be high on the charts.  Our body would relax, we’d smell the fresh air, taste a sense of freedom from

our to-do lists, and bask in the luxury of finding time to mellow out and listen to the brook, the chirping birds, frogs, crickets, the whistle of the breeze or whatever else surrounds us.  

Our eyes might try to define cloud shapes or we might count the trees and notice the vibrant colors of grass, wild flowers, leaf shapes, tree bark, or the sparkling water that hits small rocks as it slowly moves along.  

The next 30 minutes might prompt us mentally to go through our prayer list: the names of all those we usually pray for daily or weekly.  

Of course this would include our own needs.  

It’s a perfect time to ‘unload’ with the Lord.  

In fact, while praying for others, many of our own needs

may well be addressed.   Remember, we cannot hear what the Lord says to us if we feel turmoil within us.  

We cannot love our neighbor until we understand the Lord’s deep love for US.  

We cannot understand the Lord’s deep love for us until we leave our burdens at the foot of the Cross, linger with Him and let go of our own concerns.

In so doing, our attitude should be greatly enhanced and we may feel like we are floating on those clouds we see passing by above us.  

After about an hour and a half, we should be ready to do the hard work with the Lord.   In fact, we cannot ‘Do’ our best job as Christians if we do not gain that sense of simply Being well with the Lord . . .  Well Being.  

The hard work is to WAIT in the Lord’s presence and LISTEN for the Lord’s direction, affirmation or whatever the Lord whispers into our heart.

Now just SIT THERE . . .  

WAIT. . .  

RECEIVE.     

BE still  . . . 

KNOW the Lord is with you . . . 

WAIT for presence of the I AM to envelop you.

What is your attitude now?  

How is your sense of well being?  

This exercise is one way to develop your own

 BE  ATTITUDES

May you feel refreshed after this imaginary 2 hours.

May you initiate 2 hours of ‘Being’ with the Lord as often as is possible.

SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS

September is a great month of transition as the days cool a bit and moisture decreases.  Our summer in Pennsylvania was no different than in Florida with 90 % humidity, 90 degree days and so much rain that we did not water the garden until this month.  Plenty of time to linger a little longer inside, near our window overlooking our back yard.

Words escape me as we travel to Canada and return via Boston.  

We now linger over chores we have left for dryer weather: painting the back door, cleaning and painting the bird house that is now empty, framing pictures, cleaning the garage and shed, clearing out more nooks and crannies of stored ‘stuff’ that “we might use some day.”

Umbrellas hover over the quaint Quebec City street as we enjoy weather brought to us by the tail of hurricane Doriane.  Thirty degrees with high winds and rain did not move these well attached umbrellas.

I have gathered wonder-filled quotes from others far wiser than myself.

Enjoy words of wisdom with pictures from our month of adventure.  If an author of one of the quotes is unfamiliar to you, look up the name.  Each has shared wisdom with the world, some for centuries.

Hotel Frontenac at the top of the citadel in Old Quebec City.  We lingered over lunch as the wind blew a smattering of rain.  We then walked the 365 stairs to the lower part of the old city and enjoyed reams of people who did not let a bit of bad weather stop them from having a wonder-filled day.

“ You say grace before meals.  All right.  But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”  G. K. Chesterton

I couldn't help it.  Dessert at the Frontenac Hotel was a chocolate cookie-box filled with chocolate and cream.  This artistic desert was a delight.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.”  Erma Bombeck   

A little rain did not stop the tourists on the steps of Old City Quebec.

"In the old days, when there was less education and discussion, perhaps it was possible to get on with a very few simple ideas about God. But it is not so now. Everyone reads, everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to Theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones—bad, muddled, out-of-date ideas. For a great many of the ideas about God which are trotted out as novelties today are simply the ones which real Theologians tried centuries ago and rejected.”  C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 155

This is the back of the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal.  I love the Romanesque architecture mixed with Gothic.

“Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian graces; ingratitude, one of the most vicious sins.”  Billy Graham

This is a rare find in the middle of a large city.  It was on the side of the ancient church building in Montreal.

.

"There are two loves, the love of God and the love of the world. If the love of the world takes possession of you, there is no way for the love of God to enter into you. Let the love of the world take the second place, and let the love of God dwell in you. Let the better love take over."

St. Augustine, p. 34  Augustine Day by Day

We almost missed this mural on a building in a dark alley at the edge of the shopping area in old Quebec city.  Amazing!

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

People in Montreal are very proud of their Notre Dame Basilica.  It's a tourist hot spot with a beautiful, large chapel on the side that provides a quiet place to worship.  This incredible edifice was swarming with the curious but conversation was is whispers.  Magnificent!

“Blessed are the single-hearted for they shall enjoy much peace.  If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace.  In that stillness you will know what His will is.”   Amy Carmichael

Of course we had to see the Old North Church in Boston. A glorious day to walk the cobbled streets near the harbor.

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?          G. K. Chesterton

We just happened to pass where the "Tea Party" took place.  This replica seems smaller than I'd imagined.  "No taxation without representation" was a good beginning for a nation that, for the most part, still relies on this motto.

“Destiny has two ways of crushing us - - by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.  But he who only wills what God wills escapes both catastrophes.  All things work together for his good.”  [Elizabeth Elliott, wife of 1 of 5 missionaries killed in the Amazon by Caniblals.  Years later she returned with others to lead this tribe, and others, to Christ.]

Elizabeth Elliott also said, “It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given.  One or the other becomes a habit of life.”

I love architecture.  Boston gave us plenty of opportunity to linger among fabulous old buildings.  This was my favorite.

George Mueller once said, “Pray with all your might for the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance.”

Home is where our heart is.  Always nice to be back home to linger in the garden, especially as the weather remains balmy and bright.

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”  G. K. Chesterton

That's it for September.

As with each month, we loved every minute and look forward to the next.

AUGUST ABUNDANCE

[Editor's note: This was written in August but never placed on the blog.  Enjoy lingering over this and the next post almost at the same time!]

August has been a unique month.  

Although we live in the hills of Pennsylvania, summer has been hot and wet like being in Florida, where we lived for twelve years.  

Muggy nights, no relief for the senses.  

It’s as if I were floating in a quiet lagoon on a hot, misty day.  Toward the end of the month the rapid change in weather surprised us.  Once I was resigned to sticky-hot days, a few storms slowly brought cooler weather.

This very last day of August, I set aside time to linger on the back porch as the cool breezes drift through this cozy space.  

My thoughts wander. 

I think of the promise I made to myself this summer.

“I’ll read the lectionary [an order of daily scripture passages that enables me to read through the bible in three years] and write a meditation eery day."

I not only must read and digest God's word but, as I do so, I pray that one word or sentence will touch my heart in a way that I can share with others.

It’s not that I have little to do.  

In fact, hubby and I have entertained visitors and have dealt with more projects than usual this summer.  

We are busy every single day.

Yet, this promise I made to myself is the only way I can think of to set aside a couple hours each day and persevere in my goal.

This is one goal I have thought of for years and never took the extra time to activate.  

Time, moments to linger a little longer with a phrase or story daily, should enable me to nurture the ever-growing roots of my faith. 

Since I so enjoy tucking words of love, grace and exhortation into my heart, why not share my thoughts with others?

My soul is deeply rooted in the assurance of my salvation.  This assurance does not just happen.  I’ve spent the past 40-plus years digging deep, asking questions, seeking understanding.

The building of deep, healthy roots of my faith in Christ is  like what I’ve observed in the Leland Cypress in our back yard.  

Our favorite pine grows taller each year and towers over our small yard.  It’s branch-span covers the diameter of at least twenty-five feet.  Yet they bounce gracefully through frequent wind and rain storms we’ve encountered this summer.  

Heavy snow in winter merely weighs on the limbs without breakage and has provided a tranquil setting as I’ve lingered at the window. 

Yet, it was a ten foot tree when planted ten years ago.  No way can this large tree stand firmly without a very deep root system.

This majestic sight seems impossible

without constant feeding the massive roots would have shriveled up.

Fortunately, our lovely Leland anchored its roots deeply in all directions.  

Water, and a myriad of nutrients that flows from the hill above it, feed it daily.

Our lovely pine lingers in its beauty, even in challenging weather, as it attracts the curious into our garden.

I love it.  

I’m reminded of my own constant need to chew on words which help me grow, especially during times of adversity.  

God’s affirmations, promises, insights and wisdom feed me daily.  

By digesting the nutrients of God’s presence through prayer, study worship, Holy Communion and song, the Holy Spirit keeps feeding me, rooting me deeply, so that I might stand tall during passing showers or high-power storms.

My life has been a circuitous maze of wonders, challenges, pitfalls and accomplishments.  I’ve ‘been there done that’ in so many directions that I feel I’ve explored my own capacity to drink in each moment of life.  

Exciting.

Yet, some days are exhausting and others are exhilarating as I breathe in the beauty of God’s creation or embrace a wonder-filled adventure.

Some days I drink deep and linger a little longer than usual over some passage of scripture or insight-full book.

It’s all good.

I embrace linger-longer days, good and bad, as I become firmly planted just where I am.  

My roots remain strong no matter what happens.

Just like the pine tree in our yard, what we do not see is the most important.  

Without roots our pine tree would topple over and die.

We also need roots to keep from toppling over in the slightest storm.

Without my daily time of meditation and reflection how long could I persevere in life’s challenges?

I've never waited to find out.

Read Psalm 1.

It’s a great example of God’s grace-filled-tree that is deeply rooted near living water, the sustainer of life.