• There are times to be still and times to move • Movement can be independent or dependent but affects all • Fix your decisions on a strong frame • Actions revolve around character and personality • Direction seems elusive at times • We turn in search of our best options • Good physical activity and diet help keep things running well • Moving goes more smoothly when well-planned • The words around us affect what we do • There must be power to enable movement of any kind • Many things steer our course • Making progress can be a circular process • Changing positions should come after much thought and prayer • God guides and moves us through each day
• Inquisitive curiosity feeds discovery • Play is the basis of learning • A place of security brings rest to our soul • Nurture tender life and watch it grow • Learning and growing is greatest when navigating challenges • When seen through the heart, each day is a wondrous exploration • Newness and change need time for adjustment • Fresh eyes can bring great enlightenment • May our words and actions encourage and uplift • Imagination opens possibilities and delves into solutions • Small things can loom as great mountains • Speak encouragement and express value for others whenever possible • Joy speaks through skips, song, and bright faces • God loves us, His children, beyond our greatest imagination
• From our first sprouting to our final gathering there is much change • As maturity comes, so develops strength and shape • The smoothing and rubbing of life’s challenges brings out our character • We all have the potential for many forms and purposes • Like mighty trees, so protect and provide cover for the fragile and needy • Those who nurture others are recognized for compassion • Building and creating brings satisfaction for work well done • Inward beauty shines forth with love and care • Spreading warmth brings comfort and contentment • Storms often bring loss and uproot or unsettle us • Hope sprouts slowly sometimes, so tend with care • Planting, watering, tending, shaping, serving… is purpose • Draw from the land and bear good fruit with seeds • God nourishes and makes things grow
• Tend and care for that which is of value • Work for nourishing results • Warmth and caring are like the sun’s bright rays • Positive influences bring out the best in us • Aim for results that are helpful and usable • Becoming better at something takes time • Change comes through life’s experiences • There are many responses to changes and challenges • Patience during the process of growth and life is hard • Sometimes we feel dried up and empty • Pruning unhealthy thoughts and actions opens doors for grace • Celebrate often, noticing the big and small fruits • Stay connected to the Vine for health and strength • God is our source, bringing forth the best in us
Ripples… Ripples spreading across the surface of the water. We kids laugh as we challenge each other to see how far we can skip our rocks, chosen with the greatest care for shape, size, and weight. … Dad and mom smile as we enjoy our afternoon at the local lake. We race along the shoreline and then gather at the table for our impromptu picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, perhaps with some chips or apples, maybe some pickles, and something for thirsty throats. Thinking of those happy days makes me smile.
My mind travels ahead through our growing years and into adulthood. I think of all the ripples that have been set in motion by each of our lives. All that we have said, done, and thought echo through the waters of time. Through joy and pain, peace and tumult, life and death… new birth grows around us and through us.
And do we live in contentment? May it be so! For there is One greater than us all, who travels with us and looks after us. They are daily reminders of wonder and awe, if we but see it and hear it, listening fully and resting in God’s awesome presence.
I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” [Philippians 4:8b, 12b-13]
When discontent churns in me, I have discovered that finding that calm place is a great challenge and sometimes a long road. I cling to God like a young child. His patient love fills me. The psalmist must have had a sense of this as well when he said, “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” [Psalm 131:2]
So, from this racing world and anxious hearts… for good or harm, the ripples of our being spread. May we turn to God for quiet, compassionate hearts and lips.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Ripples… Ripples spreading across the surface of the water. May God’s light shine. Be encouraged.
• Life is a miracle in form and spirit • There is beauty in the simplest of things around you • The fragility of life can be daunting • When you are shattered much is revealed about yourself • Embrace positive thoughts and healthy ways • Ideas and inspiration give birth to greatness • Change happens when cracks form in life • Transformation and change can be painful • There is growth and potential when we persevere • Sometimes growth can be messy • Rolling with situations can reduce stress and avoid crashes • Renew, refresh as each evening you rest • Much amazing good can come from single small beginnings • God is our source of nourishment and strength
– From “Reflections from the Everyday” Charlotte-Anne Allen
Finally finished it! It’s been so nice getting together. That was a really good book. Ahh, I was so thirsty! You did a great job with that.
Don’t thoughts like these make you smile?! … Whether it’s busy care with family or finishing something for work, that feeling of completion and accomplishment brings great satisfaction. A full stomach after a meal or a cool drink of water when thirsty satisfies the needs of our body, as well, and may sometimes be taken for granted.
The book of Psalms offers a lot of praises and thanks to God. This one reminds me of the celebration of Thanksgiving here.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9
It made me think of satisfying different kinds of thirst and hunger… like thirst for knowledge or more faith and hunger for friendship, peace, or rest. It’s a daily giving and receiving, fulfillment through God’s provision and presence.
Paul put this well in his letter to the Philippians:
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
As you go through each day, may you bask in God’s great love. May you be filled and satisfied. May it be all and more than enough, as we rest in Him.
And in this satisfaction we rest Hope and life through each day is best Through God’s Spirit sent from above Grant laughter and be filled to live and love
• We draw strength from the warmth of friends and family • Don’t neglect preparation but anticipate needs and be ready • Our actions, thoughts, and words are widespread and far-reaching • Some days and seasons are like a whirling, churning storm • Opposing forces can cause much trauma and destruction • Emotions, self-focus, and hormones steer us in vast floods • It is difficult to lower contention when we are close to the center of it • Thoughtless words spew forth like flying debris • Evacuations may be needed when faced with unhealthy situations • Water is both cleansing and a powerful force so drink wisely • When you hit hard times, lean on each other to form a strong and solid base • Come together as community when faced with common challenges • Determination, motivation, and support give strength when rebuilding • Jesus is our calm place no matter what surrounds us
– From “Reflection from the Everyday” Charlotte-Anne Allen
Hey, look at this! Could you…? “Crash!” What was that? I just found out… Did you know…?”
Distractions are all around us, pulling us away from our current tasks or thoughts, demanding our attention, diverting us from our plans! Whether building frustration or simply giving up on any thought of completion, there is often an accompanying level of irritation or resignation. Our own thoughts distract us, as we turn to more pleasant or troublesome things. Anticipated plans or activities can fall by the wayside.
What are we to do? How can we ever get anything done? … And if we do finally get our chosen or needed tasks completed, what is our final state-of-mind? We rush to get through our responsibilities so we can get on to better things and are left feeling drained and dissatisfied.
Distractions, distractions! But are they really? I have been challenged to look at those perceived distractions in a new light. As we take a breath and pray for wisdom… and a quiet heart that trusts in God’s timing, our whole perspective shifts.
In our daily experiences we begin to see these distractions as opportunities to serve others. What a great difference we make when our frustration and impatience turn more toward caring attention and love… and when we give ourselves grace and extend that grace to others when we struggle. Paul encourages us too with his words to the Romans, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” *
May our days be filled with opportunities, our eyes be opened to them, and our hearts be encouraged.
The Still Small Voice 