Day 4 - Evening Review

Yes, I'm only a small sparrow, but I'm
even singing a song of Spring today.

This has been a beautiful day! Although windy, the sun has been warm and I was able to be outside to enjoy moments of God's amazing creation.This winter has at times seemed to be endless. Yet, within the cold and gray of winter, God is.  If it were up to me, spring would come in mid January! Thankfully, life is not in my hands, but in the hands of its Creator. You might enjoy this moment of prayerful reflection as the day draws to a close: In His Time .....

Deep roots of an aging maple that
I'm praying lives one more year.

                                                                                                                        I seem to always want to rush things. If it is winter I want to it to hurry and go away. When spring comes I can't wait for the flowers to begin blooming, as one flower blooms I begin to anxiously await another....  I thought of this while studying the roots of a very old maple tree whose springs are numbered.  I thought of it again when I listened to the little brown sparrow raising up it's joyful tune as its fine downy feathers swayed in the wind. Like I said, I am so glad this earth is not dependent upon "my" sense of timing!

I wonder what might have burrowed
down there? Do I want to know enough
to stick my hand down? Naw!!!

I went outside today, with no agenda other than looking for the signs off spring.  Taking time to do this...I was aware of the presence of God.  I even recognized God's song in the voice of that sparrow! I thought how deep and how old is this mystery of faith, while studying the roots of the tree. I thought how mysterious and unknown, looking at that hole in my lawn. I smiled and thought more about God's Time verses my time as I continued to call for Sophie to "Come!" By and through all these mental wanderings, sounds, scents, textures.... I was nourished.  And by my stopping to appreciate the song of a brown sparrow, I like to think I "gave back" some of that nourishment I had been so generously given.

What? You want me? Now?...What?

What do I need to empty from my vessel of soul as I prepare for bed?  Actually, dumb stuff.  Will my clock switch over? What if it doesn't? Should I set a back up? Will anyone come to Parlor Conversations tomorrow or will I just give up? .....like I said, in the whole scope of things, dumb stuff.  And recognizing that, I have no trouble tipping my soul forward in prayer and saying thank you.

These guys need to be
transplanted, soon!

Thank you for the signs of spring. Thank you for Debra's telephone call a moment ago. Thank you for this strange little black and white dog. Thank you for Jenny sharing that she is trying to leave a comment on the blog! Thank you for those I sense are reading this blog, keeping me accountable to this Lenten journey. Thank you for the blessing of Joyce Rupp and how well she articulates the little things that I so often skip past. Thank you for your gift of perfect timing. Even when I cannot appreciate it, I know in my deepest soul that it is perfect because you are in it. Holy God, please grant me and my Lenten companions peaceful rest.

Since tomorrow is Sunday, I do not plan to journal.  However, one never knows!

Many Blessings ~ Sandi