Gather Up the Crumbs - Just another ordinary day....

Wonderful and Creative God, I'm hitting the road early this morning to take a lo-salt casserole to my folks and then to head to VBS.  After VBS...a trip to the hospital to visit my lady on dialysis. Writing about these things, I know between my parents, the kids and volunteers, Pat and the nursing staff I will have many opportunities to soak in your presence if I only stay awake. AMEN.






Music and Videos:
Sarah Mclachlan has a wonderful song that reminds me I am surrounded by miracles.  Another individual has done a wonderful job putting images to Sarah's words. Alone, music and images speak to my heart and bless my soul. They are nourishing crumbs that sustain me when I am feeling strong and when I am discouraged or sad.

While I have long been aware of how much I enjoy both these gifts of God [music and art], I had not thought of them as manna...as crumbs to feed me, as crumbs to give me strength, as crumbs that connect me with God.

Sarah Mclachlan

I'm headed out.  I hope you enjoy this video Ordinary Miracle...

God of surprise and beauty, by your Spirit help me to see you within my day.  Help me catch some of your miracles within the ordinary settings of my life.  AMEN.


Many Blessings ~ Sandi

Evening Reflection

While I don't plan on always doing an evening review, if something comes to mind, I will be here. I enjoy listening to poetry by David Whyte.  In this video he shares his thoughts about Faith.

FAITH

      I want to write about faith,

about the way the moon rises

over cold snow, night after night,

faithful even as it fades from fullness, 

slowly becoming that last curving and impossible 

sliver of light before the final darkness.

But I have no faith myself 

I refuse it even the smallest entry.

Let this then, my small poem, 

like a new moon, slender and barely open, 

be the first prayer that opens me to faith.  

-- David Whyte

"...my small poem..." crumbs that open me to the holy, that encourages me, that feeds my heart and gives me faith.

When I was outside today, I did pick up a white dandelion and studied it...and was amazed.  There is great beauty within these delicate "weeds"!  I wondered what else I have taken for granted and as if on cue, a robin began singing his heart out as the sky began to darken.  I listened, smiled and bowed, and thanked the robin for the wonderful concert.  I felt blessed, and I suppose these would be considered "crumbs."

This has been a much more busy day than I had planned. Tonight I am tired and hoping for a restful sleep. I have just read  Psalm 37  as I prepare for this night's rest.  This Psalm contains some amazing verses that are wonderful to hold as I get ready for sleep.

Oh, to have the heart of a child!

³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
   your vindication like the noonday sun.
 ⁷ Be still before the LORD
   and wait patiently for him; 




23 The LORD makes firm the steps
   of the one who delights in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,
   for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
 ²⁵ I was young and now I am old,
   yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
   or their children begging bread.
²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely;
   their children will be a blessing.
 ²⁷ Turn from evil and do good;
   then you will dwell in the land forever.
²⁸ For the LORD loves the just
   and will not forsake his faithful ones.

I really have not been paying attention
to the fascination with "angels"!

Today, thinking about angels I remembered Nicholas Cage had a movie several years ago...City of Angels.  I  discovered this video and it really spoke to my "cloud loving" heart.  When I stop and pause...and notice, I truly am surrounded by the holy...the spectacular.

Arms of an Angel - Sarah McLaughlin

Holy and Healing God, bless all who pause to look...pause to catch a glimpse of the holy whether it be within a dandelion, the moon as it brightens during the evening hours, a robin singing at the end of a day, or dew left on the windshield of a car. Bless us, protect our hearts, encourage our feeble efforts so that we might truly be healed as we come nearer to your presence. AMEN.
Many Blessings ~ Sandi