Lo! How a Rose E're Blooming

This year the rose blooms remain far into December, 

velvety petals still opening to the sun’s strong rays. 

Hardy shrubs retaining foliage,  

bursting with color beneath towering trees 

that have shed all their splendor and stand bare in contrast, 

spindly against the horizon. 

Tender blossoms, uncommon, out of season. 

Just as the birth of the holy babe was uncommon. 

Not explicable in the timing, the mother, or the place. 

Tender buds opening still, precious babe, coming still; 

despite the certain cold that lies ahead. 

Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming

16th century German hymn, author unknown

Lo! How a rose e'er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung

Of Jesse's lineage coming,

As those of old have sung.

It came a flower bright

Amid the cold of winter

When half-spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind;

And so then we behold it,

The Virgin Mother kind.

To show God's love aright

She bore to us a Savior

When half-spent was the night. 

~

May unexpected mercies bless you in this holy season!

Lisa

Christmas Gifts

Gifts counted, 
some small and quiet, 
others hard and tear stained. 

These few rise to the surface to share for your eyes too. Numbered past 1400 and even then I know hundreds were offered but escaped my inked list! Blessed, so blessed.

~ sharing cake, coffee, and faith blessed friendship in front of the Christmas tree

~ silver strands at greying temples, ribbons of tribute to long life

~ winter moonlight glitters silver on water's dark surface

~ Earth's global lights become a beacon in the universe

~ women's bonds and Bible searching in covenant relationship

~ crimson and indigo berries winter's suspended beauty, nature's chilled sustenance

~ hours  of quiet

~ women's charity that empowers independence


~ the wisps of dreams, bits of soul tales lingering into waking moments

~ memories of the silver cross suspended at mama's heart

~ voices, cards, posts sending faith filled Christmas joy

~ "Come thou font of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise." Nettleton

Merry Christmas!

Jeweled Leaves

The jeweled leaves scattered like gems spilling from a chest of treasure, reflected the setting rays of light. How does one see that and not be drawn to kneel low to view so much momentary beauty.

Crawling low to frame the image and catch the light’s stream across the park’s wide yard, clicking repeatedly as the sun slid steadily beyond the horizon. Leaves casting transparent color and curving form against emerald grasses.

In the grass, seated on that carpet of verdant green; how long had it been since I last felt the surface of soft living turf… countless times; walking by this miniature world raising spires of green praise to the sun, to Creator God… me, passing it by without a thought. 

Barbara Brown Taylor writes in An Altar in the World, of Jesus’ walking into the countryside, by the sea, into the desert, and from town to town. This gave Him time to move slowly, to notice the vineyards, to look up into the sycamores, to see the people, the sparrows, the lilies of the field, the bushes seeming to burn brightly, and to hear God’s voice. 

A slower pace can become an act of reverence.

An appreciation of minute details heightens a sense of sacred design and holy presence.

“Remove the sandals from your feet, 

for the place you are standing is holy ground.” 

Exodus 3:5 

Linking with Weekend Whispers, Monday's Musings, and Coffee for Your Heart.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude Series {Celebration in Gold}

Subtle hues and neutrals rest calmly in the rooms of our living.

Celebration merits a touch of gold to herald our gratitude.

The dinner table festive in glided pumpkins amid hydrangea past its season.

Around the house, dry arrangements in appreciation of stems gone to seed.

Gathered pinecones, some whitewashed for contrast.

In a few hours aromas will be heavy, candles will be lit, and heart felt prayers will rise.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed.

“From the Fulness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” 

John 1:16 

“Thanks is the highest form of thought 

and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

C.K. Chesterton

*   *   *

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening

Day 2 Boundless love

Day 3 Time Away

Day 4 New Roads

Day 5 Legacy

Day 6 Indian Summer

Day 7 Transforming Power of Gratitude

Day 8 Home Fires

Day 9 Between Times

Day 10 Sacred Wait

Day 11 Celebration in Gold

Sharing this post with communities at Still Saturday, Weekend Whispers, Tell His Story, and Coffee for Your Heart. Click those buttons below to read other writers of faith.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude {Sacred Waiting}

Photograph by Lisa Moreland

November: An Invitation to Thanksgiving {Sacred Waiting}

Cloudy November days, the ones that hint at rain and blow chilly against the window panes. Soft grey skies a stark contrast to the brilliance in the leaves that toss and tumble across the patio. 

Gazing out across the the woods, mind pondering the brief days left in November, musing on to Christmas. 

The thought arrives... of the young woman two millennia ago waiting, already. 
Many months she has already carried her child. 
Carried sacred knowledge silent in her heart through the passing of three seasons. 
Her whispered thanksgiving already keen for long, long months. 
Her Christmas already a living truth, a swollen heaviness, a beating heart, a mother's patient wait. 

Humbled. 
Grateful.

The trappings of my times fade in importance as I imagine her. 

Two millennia ago she continued the waiting 
with thanksgiving and silent hope. 

*   *   *

Listen to her story as it is sung in this stunning version of Hallelujah.

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads
Day 5 Legacy
Day 6 Indian Summer
Day 7 Transforming Power of Gratitude

Day 8 Homefires
Day 9 Between Times

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.
Click here to link with Share Your Cup Thursday.

November: An Invitation to gratitude {Between Times}

November: An Invitation to gratitude {Between Times}

Autumn hoovers gently as the early morning mist between the exuberance of summer and winter's crisply chilled grip.  Shade loving foliage spread wide, florals risk one last burst of blooms. Spear shaped Elm seeds and tiny Live Oak acorns cast wide for the sake of another generation.

Between times offer grace, holding a place for the promise to come.

Monarch's flit enroute for the tropics. Canadian Geese and pristinely elegant swans glide onto the ponds. Continuous flocks of song birds darken the sky, settling in unison to fill power lines and  treetops. Winged migratory guests taking a brief layover, build reserve until the morning they're gone.

Between times offer grace, holding a place for the promise to come.

Families gather goods for holiday seasons rapidly advancing on calendars. Households harvest the last cool weather produce from the garden, sweep the chimney, stack the wood pile, then walk lazily down leaf strewn paths. New life beats steady and ever so small, cradles deep in mother's precious darkness as a family prepares in patience, prays for the promise, waits in love. 

Between times offer grace, holding a place for the promise to come.

A world revolving on its ancient orbit, turning until it is made new. 
An ancient people humbled by resurrection, living in grace and abundance until the return.

Gratitude for the between times bursting with grace, 
holding a place for the promise to come.

*   *   *

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads
Day 5 Legacy
Day 6 Indian Summer
Day 7 Transforming Power of Gratitude
Day 8 Homefires

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude {Homefires}

Mom on her own during Dad's 1958 tour of duty in Korea.

November 11: An Invitation to Gratitude {Homefires}

“Keep the homefires burning” historically meant

women tasked with keeping the embers hot and the pot cooking until the men return.

Military families blow kisses and wave final good-byes.

Then, tears still falling, with all the strength they can muster,

gather up the children to return home 

to an all too quiet house, to a table with an empty place,

to the chair vacant of its usual lounger, 

to the bed missing the other half,

to the closet partially empty, 

to singlehandedly keep life going 

for long months or years.

They keep the heat on, the bills paid, the lawn mowed, the larder filled, food on the stove, give every bath and read books followed by bedtime prayers, every night. No one comes home at the end of the day, or on the weekend or the holidays, to offer a hand or a cherished word.

In my childhood a world map hung over the stereo in our home and we learned the geography of far east nations, the distant locals of our father and his fellow pilots and soldiers. 

Mom was a petite girl, a provincial small town girl of her era, yet as an officer’s wife she grew to become the gale force, the CEO and master organizer with steely strength born of necessity that singlehandedly kept six kids feed, clothed, carpooled, and motivated on their individual paths while maintaining a household, continuously writing letters overseas, all under the constant filmed coverage of war on the evening news. 

Extend gratitude to the nation’s military families. 

Our nation is protected from the creeping tide of war

by their loved ones,

and their lives are forever changed.

*   *   *

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads
Day 5 Legacy
Day 6 Indian Summer
Day 7 Transforming Power of Gratitude

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.

November: Invitation to Gratitude {Transforming Power of Gratitude}

November 8: Invitation to Gratitude {Transforming Power of Gratitude}

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." 

Sarah Van Breathnach

I began recording just one blessing that I noticed each day. That small step primed my mind to be more vigilant, more attentive, cued to my world with a different eye. The daily notations increased and seemed to stream from the pencil, my hand urgent to record quickly lest I forget some one gift before I had scribbled them all down at the end of the day. One daily recording, became a multitude of daily gifts. I pursued the practice of listing daily blessings for nearly a year, reaching a goal of one thousand recorded gifts. One thousand. The weight of the journal with the number of pages filled was stunning. The tangible evidence of this new spiritual discipline. 

The deeper reward, 

the more constant outcome, 

was the heightened sensitivity of my soul 

and the groundbreaking transformation of my demeanor and perception of daily living. 

Even without daily listing of blessings I still saw them daily. I noted the abundance daily. I praised God's presence in those blessings daily. 

I continue to add to the list periodically, recording full pages at a time. Today there are hundreds more with nearly fifty praise and thanksgiving scripture verses intertwined with the bounty of blessings. But it was the initial daily listing that successfully trained my heart and my eyes to internalize a habit of maintaining a grateful heart, an awareness of God's hand in all things, in all places, at all times. Gratefully, that remains the blessing carved deep into my soul.

"...if a joyful heart is good medicine, then giving thanks is my daily prescription." Ann Voskamp

"Without gratitude there is no joy." Brene' Brown

View Dr. Brene' Brown's interview on the topic of JOY here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKV0BWSPfOw

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads
Day 5 Legacy
Day 6 Indian Summer

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude Series {Indian Summer}

November 6: An Invitation to Gratitude {Indian Summer}

Indian summer bliss,

those brilliantly bright days of late fall, warm like melting butter on pancakes. Foliage rustles in rich color, breezes move with a gentle warmth. Folks linger on patios with their coffee, faces upturned to capture the sun’s last kiss of warmth before crisp temps return, forcing us all back behind windows to watch leaves spilling from the trees. 

In some regions its called a "little summer"; a brief nod to the mid-day warming reminiscent of a bygone season. Though the light and the scent is distinctly different; the lights angle lower, recognizable as fall, the herbed aroma of dried leaves inescapable.

Our area has basked in this "little summer" all week. Cafe patios overflow with business. Park playgrounds are bustling with post halloween super heroes and princesses going down the slide. Hopeful end of season fisherman cast lines across the ponds. Kids walk home from school with hoodies stuffed in backpacks. 

Its temporary, appreciated because its fleeting.

Raise your head from distractions. 

Neither of us wants to miss it.

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads
Day 5 Legacy

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude {Legacy}

November 5: An Invitation for Gratitude {Legacy}

Hearing mama call me using my first and middle name clearly communicated her serious intent, a matter of importance was forthcoming. Every child knows at such a time, the only response is haste and attention. 

The name, my name, came to me by way of Grandma Great,  a woman of faith and grace, so her legacy is told. Her name is recorded on the family tree, in the ninth generation of faithful people dating back to one of the Norway's early Bishops. 

Our name, Grandmother's and mine, is a derivative of "Elizabeth", meaning consecrated to God, or God is my oath. On the occasion of first learning this fact it simply made sense, being aware of an abiding presence of faith within my heart from an early age. It felt true. I claimed the legacy.

Knowing and honoring family heritage is not common for many, perhaps not even helpful for some. For myself, I have considered it a tremendous blessing, a source of heritage and strength gained from generations that formed my identity. 

Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise— so that it may be well with you, and that you may have a long life on the earth.

Ephesians 6:2-3 (AMP)

Additional Posts in An Invitation to Gratitude Series:

Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away
Day 4 New Roads

Linking with the Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story. 

Click on the buttons below to join read posts by these communities of faith filled writers.

November: An Invitation to Gratitude {New Roads}

November 4: An Invitation to Gratitude {New Roads}

A canopy of trees arching across the road, captivating in every season, though reaching a pinnacle of beauty as the trees turn to their autumn splendor. As I approach it is not unlike entering a cathedral. The awe of such grandeur reaching heavenward, God's design of seasonal change accented in a bounty of color.

The road threading through the woods disappearing around a bend or over a hill, the destination unknown. Yet I would not have arrived to partake in the beauty overhead if I had not been willing to travel the unknown road that God offered.
Continuing the journey, this one, or any other that is charted on the geography of a life stretches knowledge of unknown worlds and unfamiliar people. 

In our faith we are taught to do just that. Travel far, at least in the heart. Expand ourselves beyond known places to embrace all that is within our reach to meet the measure of God's use of our talents and potential to extend His glory in the world. 

Grateful for the ever new roads that He guides me to explore.


Additional Posts in this Series:
Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love
Day 3 Time Away

November: An Invitation to Gratitude Series {Time Away}

November 3: 

Time away. Uncharted days intended for restoration. Extended sessions of simply watching the day open and close. Hours, when left unscheduled, become fertile ground for new conversations, thought filled impressions that birth new intentions. Seeking to hear God's whispers as waves roll.
                 

~

Additional Posts in this Series:
Day 1 Attentive Listening
Day 2 Boundless love

November: An Invitation to Gratitude {Love}

November 2: An Invitation to Gratitude Series

Little guys. A joy beyond words. Born this month five years ago. Twirling dervishes of exuberant life! Exploring, building, creating; engaging with the world at a runners pace. Appreciative of the boundless love that their lives have brought to mine, as well as, the reminders and insight their unrestrained living brings to my attention.
                                          ~

Additional Posts in this Series:
Day 1 Attentive Listening

November: An Invitation for Gratitude {Attentive Listening}

November 1: An Invitation for Gratitude Series

Early morning light rises to skim the ripples of wind blown streams. Grateful for practices of faith that draw us into quiet and attentive listening to Holy Spirit prompting as each day dawns.

*   *   *

Links to the full series of An Invitation to Gratitude:

Day 1 Attentive Listening

Day 2 Boundless love

Day 3 Time Away

Day 4 New Roads

Day 5 Legacy

Day 6 Indian Summer

Day 7 Transforming Power of Gratitude

Day 8 Home Fires

Day 9 Between Times

Day 10 Sacred Wait

Untethered: One More Gate to Heaven

The first leaves loose their moorings, sailing gracefully from above.

Slowly, they spiral and slightly tilt. 

Cast off from the tethers of elm or oak, pecan or maple, released in a brief and dazzling flight. Spread wide, kite-like, captured in a crosswind, they sweep back and forth. 

Occasionally lifted by an updraft, tossed in a swirl of crimson, mustard, and bronze ultimately falling as gravity draws them ever downward. Destined to assemble as a mosaic, carpeting vast spaces. 

In delight I revel in the glory of color cascading from the boughs and wonder at the bounty that has hung far overhead all summer long. Souls touched by such wonders whisper prayers, knowing the whole world is the house of God. 

“ The whole world is the house of God…

I can stop …long enough to see where I am…

I can flag one more gate to heaven, 

one more patch of ordinary earth with ladder marks on it, 

where the divine traffic is heavy…

instead of walking right past it… 

say a blessing before I move on to wherever I am due next.” 

  An Altar in the World, Barbara Taylor Brown

*  *   *

Linking with these communities of writers sharing thoughts on faith: Weekend Whispers, Still Saturday, Coffee for Your Heart

Suspend Worry and Wrestling

This post from my archives, Suspend Worry and Wrestling, recently caught my attention. The message remains ever so true as it was in 2011, well worth revisiting the wisdom of that day. Join me. Feel the wind against your skin and glory in the luxury of that!



Old Dog sprints stiffly to the water’s edge; darting, nose skimming, reading the news of critterdom left on scented surfaces. A banquet of scents hangs in the air to inhale and savor. Bird song, rabbit skittering, and turtle sightings entice Old Dog from branch to brush and then back to the water’s banks. 

The beleaguered, burdened human trails behind, mentally distant, unheeding, unseeing. A heavy heart and weighty concerns veil the senses. Dappled light dances across shaded lawn but eyes don’t really see. A canopy of green foliage rustles overhead as breezes shift and sway; but ears don’t really hear.

In time the Old Dog, satiated with the frenzied hunt for smells; settles and revels in the shade, nose attentive to buffeting scents carried on the wind. 

A glance toward my Old Dog turns into a full measured pause. It’s clear his aging self has troubles of his own: sight has dimmed, hearing and muscles are much diminished. And yet, I hear the interior Spirit suggest; Notice, your Old Dog knows well enough to be here. He knows well enough to sense the cool of shaded grass on fur free skin, to lift the nose and savor the smells in the breeze, to feel the wind in his fur, and glory in the luxury of that, the divine restoration of that!

I feel my eyes widen, mind stumbling to be alert. I settle in the shade and strive to suspend worry and wrestling to attend. Water rushing over the rocky falls fills the ears. 

Wind buffets warm across skin and lifts hair. The essence of wood, wind, and water, the marvel of it all, fills the breath, slows the heart, and quiets thought. Listen for that which one can hear only in spiritual stillness. To see what can only be seen with the soul, to sense the holy in the moment. 

                      

 The Spirit of the LORD will be with you to give you understanding, wisdom, and insight.     

   You will be powerful, and you will know and honor the LORD.  
Isaiah 11:2 (CEV)

Human fears lift...
and shift... 
reframed by deeper awareness and divine meaning that transforms into peace filled strength. 

… to be renewed in the spirit of your minds…  
Ephesians 4:23 (ESV)

Smiling now..., 
grateful for the gift received. Old dog and human head home renewed by divine nudging.

*   *   *



Linking with Still Saturday, Weekend Whispers, Coffee for the Heart, and Tell His Story.