Colors bright
Shine in the air
Gently waving
Now float to earth
Autumn’s touch
With its cool caress
Speaks now softly
Of evening’s rest
Crunch of leaves
Beneath our feet
Breathing deeply
Quiet calm
Come now gather
Draw in closer
Settle into…
Autumn’s touch
Why look right there
Now what is that
I peer into
A small world
Busy hurrying
Here and there
Creeping crawling
Flying digging
Busy ants and
Chirping crickets
Waiting spiders
Swaying webs
Wasps and bees and
Buzzing mosquitoes
Caterpillars munching
Butterflies flitting
Dragonflies and
So much more
Such interesting lives
We seldom notice
Working and living
See their small world
I love to read a good novel! As I am drawn into that world, I see it in my mind’s eye, and I imagine the experiences the characters are going through. I too face the challenges, pull for the hero, and hold my breath as they face terrible odds. What a gift our imagination can be.
As we imagine, we form a mental picture or image of something. An anticipated event we are unable to attend, possible scenarios of actions or words we are considering, and creative projects all involve our imagination. Sometimes I think that I have too much imagination, especially when I get stuck on negative possibilities! Focusing on positive things seems to help.
What would the world be like without artists, musicians, inventors, scientists, and others? We receive so many benefits and enjoyment from each other which arise from our imaginations. I love to watch or join in with a child at play… playing pretend. Theatre and dance are favorite expressions too.
Does God have an imagination? I think He must! When God created the universe, He had an image in mind of this place, of what the world and its inhabitants would be and how it would look… an image of life. In fact, the book of Genesis says that humankind was created in His own image. * Our imaginations are a small but important reflection of His own as we allow Him to work through us. Paul said in his letter to the church in Ephesus that God is able to do so much more than we ask or imagine. *
Great things begin with a great imagination. May we open ourselves up to the possibilities. Imagine that!
* Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 3:20-21
• We have many options when tackling a big job
• If things become unbalanced, we can tip over
• Loads can be eased with the right equipment
• Gathering resources first will increase success
• When the load is large, work a little at a time
• Easing burdens improves the work process
• We take on challenges so we can move forward
• Dumping anxiety and doubt eases stress
• Step-by-step, progress is made
• Consider your best path to offer services
• Take care of your tools for long and productive use
• Thank the One who works along-side you
Heart’s melody
Pouring forth
Carries us soaring
Voices lifting
Moves now
rich and deep
Building rising
Declaring calling
Now softly beckons
Soul’s expression …magnified
The wind it blows where e’er it will
And water flows how e’er may be
People move from here to there
Now how’d the geese know when to fly
Fog and mist rise to the sky
Or settle down to take a rest
Then comes a blast a howling screech
Now grab your hat or turn and flee
Hot words scorch frigid reactions steal
Friendship and compassion lie in dust
Now caught unaware, oh what was that
Grab for a tree or find a warm spring
Howl with the dogs to drown the screech
Throw down the salt to melt the ice
The wind it blows where e’er it will
And water flows how e’er may be
As sirens pass motors roar by
We settle and rest …and laughter returns
“Listen! What’s that?!” The child that was me craned her neck and shielded her eyes as she searched the sky for a passing airplane or helicopter… If conditions were right, I could follow the trails of high-flying jets or passenger planes as they painted a pattern through the air. I sometimes felt a little dizzy as I focused on the world above me.
There were so many things to discover while looking up, elusive songbirds in the trees, majestic mountain ranges as we traveled for a weekend of camping, and ever-changing cloud formations to catch the imagination. Church steeples all around rose above the surrounding buildings… proclaiming the hour, chiming music, or directing our eyes and thoughts to heaven above.
The Bible uses a lot of images about “looking up” and “going up.” That makes a lot of sense doesn’t it, as we think of God on high?! A favorite verse from the Book of Psalms, (a “Song of Ascents” that was sung as people went up to worship) says, I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.* Jesus looked up when praying to his Father, when blessing the loaves and fish, and when giving thanks.
When I look up into the sky by day or night or up into a majestic old tree, there is a sense of being a part of a great thing. As I look out and up at rolling mountain ranges, I am a small speck in God’s vastness. Think back or imagine yourself as a small child looking up at your parents, teachers, or others. The whole world takes on a different perspective!
I think too of how I can be focused on my own thoughts or schedule and I fail to look up and see others around me, to be aware of their needs, struggles, or celebrations. Sometimes I have allowed my self-focus to block out my awareness of others. In the book of Luke there is a story about a short man named Zacchaeus who had difficulty seeing too.* I think his difficulty involved more than his height! When Jesus came into into the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw Zacchaeus in a tree craning his neck to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus saw more than the outside of Zacchaeus perched in that tree, didn’t he?! When Jesus offered him fellowship, Zacchaeus’ life took a dramatic turn. After he came down from that tree, he looked up and found Jesus who showed him a better way and who saw him as a person of value and worth.
My prayer for us is that we will look up and see God ever before us. May he open our eyes and widen our view so that we can see the worth and value of others, just as Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus. In so doing, perhaps we will begin to hear, above the roofs and the clamor of the world, the chiming of music… and to give and receive the gift of fellowship. Look up!
Psalm 121:1, Luke 19
• A good foundation lends strength to the outcome
• We need each other for support
• Sometimes we need a little help getting to our feet
• Adding a personal touch makes a positive difference
• Chairs can be a place of gathering
• Welcome others to a place of rest
• A secure lap brings much comfort
• Balance work and relaxation
• Reliability is an important feature
• The Chairmaker brings strength and encouragement
From “Reflections from the Everyday”
A positive attitude to help move on
Through losses and gains
As life deals a blow
Staying optimistic though difficult to do
Learning from failure
Hang on… Don’t let go
A change in course now be resolved
Standing in confidence
Release stress and angst
Strength in community
Not drained nor emptied
Now rise from the ashes
Resilience
From “My Words to Live By” c-a allen
I wonder about … so many things!
And think about this space and way
From tiniest life to infinite majesty
Laughter, tears, storm, and calm
Pondering the why’s and how’s
Considering too the when’s and where’s
Who shall it be and what will we do
Musings and ‘matterings’ now consider
Challenges, quests, recollections, mysteries
Thoughts, they wander far and wide
To return perhaps with satisfaction
Or circle round to finally settle
To sit, to still, in quiet thought
To drink in life … in contemplation
The Still Small Voice 