Dear Friday; a day for counting...

Dear Friday, 

Oh how I welcome all that your offer me both in the view over my shoulder, the pathway ahead, and in looking right smack dab down at ya!

You beckon for final pushes in effort as the rhythms of this home produce finished projects, school mornings practiced, fellowship embraced, some cleaner closets, appointments kept (with the exception of that one poor dentist, whom this addled memory, immune to all alarms and reminders in the world, stood up- 

flat stood up). 

You, Friday, also offer a place of pause before transition in which my soul finds openness to gather together the nuggets of huge grace which have been gifted into my life since you and I last met. 

Remembering:

~The sweetness of resuming our early morning rhythm in preparation for school's start next week. 

The barely dawning skies as My Favorite and I knit hands and hearts to pray the day in, tousled hair on my littles, and the way a hearty breakfast wakes their eyes to bright-smile slowly.

~K's exuberant passion to see every single animal our city's small but sweet zoo boasts. The way she is still contemplating the map days later and mourning those elusive kangaroos.

~Navigating congested hallways in a freshly renovated school to meet this year's new teachers and deliver supplies. Desks were located, classmates greeted, and anticipation built. 

To release our small people into the hands of teachers each year is fresh reminder that they do not belong to us, but have a Creator who unfolds in perfect ways His purposes for them. 

We are anchored and thankful!

~ Slow lingering walks around the pond with my hand in his and hearts sharing around the day we both have passed through. 

A purposeful enjoying with winsome freedom the sweetness of safeguarding and deepening our relationship.

~ The many times this week that I have chosen spiritual white space to slow, lean into, and savor hearing of His love for me through His word. Freedom anew to put down the list, turn off my phone and just be in His presence has fed and refreshed my heart beyond degree. 

Like the green hedge lining our back deck; heavy and a bit untethered under the growth of recent rain showers, my soul bulges out of the lines with new growth, a freedom, healing, and clarity freshly born.

Reading:
Zechariah {this minor prophet is playing a major role in my culminating soul renovations}
~lit. "The Lord Remembers".... God's nature and initiation of comfort post-exile.  He plucks from the fire, chooses, takes up residence in, and promises restoration multiplied.
He measures, knows, understands, surrounds, beautifies, overflows, centers, redefines, repurposes, prizes, protects, builds up, gives share in His glory!
The "finish line" of this book came and went earlier this week. I am still swallowed up whole in it's chapters; turning and returning to the LORD's unveiled nature, promise, and purpose for this soul; 

His chosen and prized possession.

"The Best Yes" by Lysa Terkeurst.  

I slurped this title down with intensity; a thick fudge-slathered milk shake with lots of protein for the mind and soul.  It followed beautifully on the heels of how God has been teaching me to cultivate spiritual white space 

{what that means and how to use it etc}. 

My heart's eyes sprung open wide with clarity and fresh understanding as I received Lysa's teaching on; 

{God's Word, Ways and Wonder}, {Chasing Down That Decision}, {Managing Demands by Understanding Expectations}, 

{The Power of a Small No}, 

{The Awkward Disappointment of a No}, and {The Thrill of an Unrushed Yes}.....

If any of that sounds intriguing, get a copy of this book and benefit as I have! You will!


"Lament For A Son" 

Nicholas Wolterstorff's reflective memoior in the grief of his son's death.  I am finding these transparently raw words, strung together by the strings of an aching heart, to be captivating as they illumine my understanding of loss and grief; to move through my own, and comfort others.

"Stripped - When God's call turns from "Yes!" to "Why me?" by Lina Abujamra.  Half way through and deeply challenged. This author has been gifted with a humility which causes her words to ring forth in power and truth; laying the Biblical foundation of the gospel in a revisited fashion for the way we think about and pursue our callings and dreams.

Savoring:
~Fresh raspberries, plump and sweet.
~These last unhurried days of Summer with all three littles at home with me.
~Beautiful sunsets on a horizon I will not always have before me.
~A newfound favorite coffee brew! 

{Folks it's the best steamy hot black to ever fill my mug.}
~A grace-glimpse into our G's heart as he recognizes, grapples with and clings to the gospel in new ways.
~Waiting. Yes, we are savoring the quiet peace of a long wait in new directions.
~Anticipation: of an extended weekend, of Autumn, of grace upon grace - always that!

Listening:
 {on replay}
 "The Middle of it All" by Kerri Roberts.
and pretty much anything else from her album, "Time for the Show"

"Who is Like You" by Meredith Andrews
"Into the West" and "Fields of Gold"  by Peter Hollens

This sermon: 

http://www.castleview.org/sermons/grave-grace-story-lazarus-resurrection/

{We like to "stalk" this pastor's preaching.} 

Planning:
~Spontaneous unhindered weekend family time; listening, asking, laughing, discipling together. The weather will dictate activity, and the Spirit will ordain direction, but my heart already leans into these hours of Schulz5 joy. 

I am awash with ideas for making my people know their identity as treasured graces. 

May I serve up, wash over, comfort through, cuddle in, and wrap up with joy every aspect of these set aside days.

~A short collection of new items has made it's way onto my weekly gorcery list. 

Researching, planning and prepping new dishes is a sweet joy to my specific creativity gifting. 

Where I'm completely lost with fabric and thread, or with scaps and booking, I can get really excited over the saute pan, sweet basil, and chop, chop, chopping. 

Recent soul renovations have brought conviction that this pursuit is part of God's specific instruction for me; to be rejuvenated and guarded! 

I'm eager to rediscover the sweet joys in hearing collective "yums" when new flavour combinations hit tastebuds around our life-scratched square of wooden table top.- So two new-to-us dishes rest in instruction form ready for release into menu reality this coming week.

~Tech-free Saturday.  One of my new boundaries to give test and practice to. The phone and laptop will be set aside for this day each week, not so much because they burden or encumber me, but in obedient pursuit of that delicious spiritual and emotional white space I am finding to be such a relish. As time, attention, and mental energies are made free from these useful devices and the connection they bring, I will be pursuing uninterrupted face time with my people, solitude, off-the-grid reading and writing.

~A New Look. This mom-pony-tail needs to go! My first day without any littles 

{in 9+ years} will find me passing time at a favorite salon for some fun experimentation. 

~Steven.  In my plans every moment of every day, I will relish, receive, flirt with, and serve this man.  I will listen to his admonitions {their needed and gentle} and move alongside him in the mission God gives him.

Thinking:

~Churning, meditation, my white-noise for soul rest right here:

and this:

and this: 

and asking my soul this:

You are welcome here with joy, dear Friday! 

May each of you who read in this place chase down the counting up and stewarding of His grace this weekend!