Saturday, August 29, 2009

Pinecone

A moment of observation. Funny what emerges when you sit and stare at a pinecone for long enough!
PINECONE

A dried husk pendant
swings
content
on her branch
indistinguishable from her twin
her elder and younger siblings -
creased niches and notches
arid space.

Sap clings to her
defying gravity's longing
to lure him away.

Soon they will plummet
together
broaden their embrace
to include
decaying needles
born of the same mother.

She will deepen her caramel shade
to rich coffee grounds,
he will mingle his pitchy scent
with earthworms.

For now,
despite this fiend west wind
tearing at their grip,
they are content
to swing.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday Five: I Like Myself


[ Over at RGBP SingingOwl says:] Lately I seem to be encountering many people who have a very difficult time finding anything good to say about themselves. They are able to extend grace and forgiveness's to others but find it difficult to extend that same grace to themselves.

With that in mind, let's share some healthy affirmation today! Tell us five things you like about yourself!
~~~

1. I like that I have depth. I know some people don't like to "go there", but that's what I love about living, so I'm pleased to describe myself that way.
2. I like that I love. And I believe in Love. Not just for significant people in my life, but for the world. Yup, cheesy - that's me! (p.s. For those of you with your eyebrows at your hairline in regards to this self-statement, love also means holding accountable, not just rolling over for people.)
3. I like that I try to be me (nope, I am never going to shave my legs, m'dear Jamie). Sometimes being a contradiction is hard in a squeeze-you-into-a-box society, but I can't be anyone else, can I?
4. I like that I like to learn. What fun would life be without constant growth and change and realization?
5. I like that I am strong. I don't like the prickly-protectiveness of my hedgehog spines (ouch! sometimes), but I do like that I try to stand up for myself and others and what I perceive as right.

Whew. It can be hard to make outright statements of what you like about yourself! Vulnerable (my soft hedgehog belly feels exposed). Anyone else want to try?? Let me know if you play :).

Monday, August 24, 2009

Writing for Ministry & Personal Fulfillment...

...that was the title of my study leave topic at
Ring Lake Ranch last week. We had the amazing opportunity to study with Kathy Coffey - writer, professor, spiritual teacher.

Our first "assignment" was to write a color poem (ha!). It was a delightful project. Here's how I played with Pink (are you surprised?).

INDELICATE
"Nice iPod," he laughs
as he takes control deejaying.
"It's pink!"

Pink - he thinks - is the bubble-gum-cheeked child
learning to lower her lashes.
Pink is the delicate petal, fair blooms
pulled apart by "he loves me nots".
Pink is the paleness
not-strong-enough-to-be-red.

So he thinks.
But

Pink granite
defines the labyrinth's boundaries--
the maze that upholds a hero's quest.
Pink vocals
demand attention with
"so what, I'm a rock star" confidence.
Pink dragon's breath
spirals with mystical wisdom,
burning hot but not singeing.
Pink freedom--
flirty and fun--
dances from my favorite linen skirt.
Pink
is an exclamation
point!

"Nice iPod," he laughs -- and I laugh with him.


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Simple Words

The Children's Sermon at church this morning... inspired.
The sermon was about getting renewed - by YHWH - through taking a much-needed pause
  • after a big event/change;
  • before moving on to whatever God is calling us to next.
The text was 1 Kings 19:4-8:
Elijah laying down beneath a broom tree,
sleeping,
being made to eat G0d-given bread,
sleeping some more, eating some more,
before heading to mount Horeb to hear God's still, small voice.

The Children's Sermon: sometimes God makes breakfast for us too. God gives us the nourishment we need. If we stop to eat it. That simple.
Today, I was definitely in need of breakfast. And it came through the nourishment of a Children's Sermon. Thanks for the message, Jake J.! And thanks for the breakfast, Spirit.