Solitude

"Once we have had a sufficiently intense dose of solitude,
from then on we know by personal experience
the necessity and the value of solitude.
After we have been sought out
initially by solitude,
we are then drawn spontaneously
to seek it out.
Gradually,
the need for solitude
parallels that
of eating and sleeping."
(from The Way of Spiritual Direction)

Thank you, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*Friday morning prayer and "the grace of new beginnings"
*circling this place with prayer
*birds bathing
*four tiny baby birds where there were just four little eggs
*a great spot for the pair of cool circular side tables
*Little Darlin' walking with me
*driving JV on another Friday morning
*a day to do what needs to be done
*a cushion and a footstool and a window to the backyard
*remembering Mama

With gratitude,
Sally

After the Storm

On the third of July at Tybee
a storm came up during supper.
Darkness suddenly fell
except for flashes of lightning.
Thunder rumbled close by.
The dogs were shaking
and searching for shelter.

But the storm passed.
And as I walked out on the upstairs porch
to sit on the swing
I spotted a section of a rainbow
slipping through the clouds
as a ship headed out to sea.

Thank you, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*everyday signs and wonders
*books delivered to my door right on time
*the promise of small groups
*Joseph grilling hamburgers on Amber's birthday
*going to get the stump with Vic
*hearing good words about Ben
*and then about Margaret
*making progress, even slow progress
*almost all the Grace Girls are coming
*Sister mentioned fondly

With gratitude,
Sally

Happy July Hibiscus

Doesn't this hibiscus blossom sing
"Happy July!"?

Thank you, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*beautiful butterflies wrapping a wonderful birthday gift
*"my sweetest friend"
*filling bird feeders
*fertilizing plants
*finding four tiny eggs in a nest in a fern
*seeing a mama bird (or a daddy bird?) feed two of her/his young birds
*an invitation to pray
*replying that things are better
*Ben going for an interview
*having a large window near my secretary

With gratitude,
Sally

Ride Toward The Rainbow, Beloved

Early Saturday morning,
I realized
I was riding toward a rainbow.

Really,
signs of hope,
promises of Presence,
are always before me.

Help me Holy Spirit
to see the signs,
to notice You.

Thank You, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*a song on the radio just when I felt sad and insecure
*a friend's beautiful benediction
*a cool breeze blowing on the upstairs porch
*sweet sound of my hummingbird chimes
*sitting between two of my boys Sunday morning
*watching a softball game at Chik-fil-A family fun day
*cheering for darling twin boys making home runs
*lemonade and sweet tea
*a powerful, pentecostal birthday
*being the 60th associate - somehow, so appropriate

With gratitude,
Sally

Beloved Green Bough

Today is my birthday
and I am going to Green Bough.

What could be better?

Thank You, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*unexpected blossoms
*hearing my dear friend Jane's voice on the phone
*sharing stories, happy and sad
*a birthday letter from my wonderful brother
*messages from sweet sisters
*"Glory, glory, glory
for the grace of new beginnings in every moment of life."
(from Celtic Benediction by J. Philip Newell)
*hearing birdsongs as the sky lightens
*inspiration to put things in order
*no more fleas
*hearing the warmth in the voices of Fay and Steve

With gratitude,
Sally

Surprise, Beloved

Surprise!
Red and pink blossoms
on the same geranium plant.
How pretty.

Thank You, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*a day full of good news calls for Victor
*all my children working
*a sister who keeps calling
*a funny, sweet birthday card from a dear friend
*an invitation to a bridal shower
*little girls all grown up
*listening to life stories
*soup from the freezer
*"just checking" message on voice mail
*new tires for Bertha

With gratitude,
Sally

Relax, Beloved

A friend has been
praying this passage
for me and my children:
"I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,
and my blessing on your offspring.
They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
like willows by flowing streams.
This one will say, "I am the Lord's"
another will be called by the name of Jacob,
yet another will write on the hand, "The Lord's,"
and adopt the name of Israel."
(Isaiah 44:3b-5)

And so,
like our sweet cat,
I will relax.

Thank You, God, that I know I am beloved by:
*friends who pray Truth
*being a part of the great river of prayer
*a good meeting
*Ben going to work
*a sister who sends love
*riding with the radio and laughing out loud
*the sounds of a violin lesson in the parlor
*a title and an outline
*beautiful pictures of a simple sacred place
*a renewed vision

With gratitude,
Sally