inspire

i am up early this morning.

the dogs follow me down the stairs and into the kitchen, each taking his turn outside. treats are given and bowls are filled with measured food for my well-fed dogs: 1/4 cup for harley who eats immediately, 2 cups for dozer who sniffs then walks away seeking a comfy corner suitable for an old dog's nap.

a few minutes later i look up from 2014 monthly planner i am filling with workdays and birthdays, commitments, opportunities and obligations. i catch harley back in the kitchen eating out of dozer's bowl and find myself wanting to ask him "why do you risk serious harm for something so plentiful as dog food?"

as i look at the full calendar in front of me i realize the same question applies to me "why do i risk serious harm for something so plentiful as God's provision?"

why am i driven to doing? even as i find myself tired and often uninspired?

am i the fish waiting and watching for someone else to inspire me?

or am i the fish risking, the one seeking freedom from her fish bowl?

a woman confidently trusting in God's ability?

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. - Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG excerpt

Rjw

Empathy

Rarely if ever does an empathic response begin with At Least ...
—Brené Brown


Rjw 

more: http://brenebrown.com/2013/12/10/rsabear/

Rizpah

"Reconciliation, like forgiveness, cannot be declared from the thrones of the powerful. It flows from the wounds of the crucified, and forgiveness to be meaningful, it has to be seen to flow from woundedness." - Radical Reconciliation pg 37

Radical Reconciliation is wrenching my heart, holding up a mirror to my soul, treasuring the tears shed, embracing my darkest graceless space, mourning injustice.

i am awed by the woman, Rizpah, who grieves the children of Merab as deeply as she mourns her own children, a widow defending the crucified bodies against carrion birds and predators that move along the ground - not just for a few hours but from the beginning of the harvest until rain fell on them from the heavens.

Rizpah leaves the comfort of the palace.
She knows the deadly consequences.
She stands in resistance.


Rjw

2 Samuel 21:10

living in less

thursday is a good day

a later start to my work at the food pantry leaves time for reading and listening at the computer ... time with Harley on my lap ... quiet reflection ... working on whispered hopes and touched twice, breakfast with a friend ...

time for arranging sprigs of fresh eucalyptus harvested from my garden ... preparing two rooms for a guest ...

our old house ... two empty bedrooms

prayerfully and hopefully ...

a sanctuary?


the living room quiet ... the television silenced perhaps permanently ... the memory of submitting my life to God, agreeing to bloom where planted ...

believing that 'downsizing' our lives is not only about living on less, but living in less ... making room for more ... community

believing in abundance ...

enough eucalyptus for two bouquets ...

"... for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine."
Psalm 50:10-11 NIV excerpt

Rjw

destiny jeans

i am a mess.

serving at a food pantry is difficult.

serving at a food pantry while looking in my own mirror and feeling the dark shadow of poverty creep up behind me is more than difficult.

the sadness is often so heavy on my heart that i feel as though my body will simply stop breathing.

yet 'not breathing' never happens.

i breathe because only God decides when breathing stops.

so i often feel stuck here in this place and this time ... and when i whine "Why?" the words of Dan Allender haunt me:

"What is God doing?" he asks.

and my focus shifts:

God is providing.

God is providing daily bread.
 
God is providing physical fitness in time spent unloading trucks filled with food.

and when weight loss diminishes the options in my closet:

God is providing sparkling hand-me-up jeans from my friend Destiny.










"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God, ..."

Isaiah 43:1-3 excerpt NIV

Rjw

Vocation and Passion by Dan Allender inspires me

i am not this person

i am not

... this person

... ... who misses appointments and is late for meetings
... ... who responds to your email a day after you needed the answer
... ... or finally writes that letter of recommendation 51 days after you asked for it.

i am not

... this person

... ... who remembers today is special to you but doesn't send a card ... or call ... or text

how did i become this person?

... To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Rev 21:6 excerpt

Rjw

Cheryl Miller on Overcoming Poverty

... still in the process of transformation



i often wonder at the great blessing God gave me when He brought this strong and beautiful soul into my life.

Rw