30/366

At times it seems that the finest of lines divide complacent from content, but today I could honestly confess gratitude for place and people and circumstance.

grateful:
My faithful barista and early morning latte delivery
As there is seriousness without sourness, so there is a cheerful liveliness without lightness. (Thomas Watson)
But God... (Ephesians 2:4)
morning run
morning prayer, even over the phone
unexpected phone calls
the blessing of a left, a left, a right, and down the road pick-up
doggy play date
chicken tortilla soup
easy lunch date fellowship
sunbeams on the car
parking lot real
a hug from my fave Sam's Club greeter
samples!
text that makes me laugh
a brew with my man
good dinner
confession and repentance and forgiveness
and the promise of tomorrow

29/366

on the Running Playlist today-
while there's breath in my lungs,
I will praise you, Lord.

(from "Joy of the Lord," by the Rend Collective)

28/366

“In a world of diminishing mystery, the unknown persists.” 
― Jhumpa Lahiri, The Lowland

27/366

“Today is one of those excellent January partly cloudies in which light chooses an unexpected part of the landscape to trick out in gilt, and then the shadow sweeps it away. You know you’re alive. You take huge steps, trying to feel the planet’s roundness arc between your feet.”

- Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

26/366

Don't you hate it when you count 13 things in your basket, not "10 items or less, you're in express," and the lady in front of you really is buying her week's worth of groceries, and putting them on the counter
one.
item.
at.
a.
time...?

25/366

when the meter guy is so close, and yet, so far...

24/366

We were away for worship this week, visiting one of our supporting churches who meet in an elementary school. Apparently, it was Kindness Week for the kindergardeners, and the art work was osum! (awesome!)

"Everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarden" isn't really too far off. Thankfully, our spelling continues to improve...

10 Rules of Kindness (translated)
1. Be kind to people
2. Listen to the teacher
3. Sit down when you're told
4. Be quiet
5. Say thank you
6. Do not play with other people's stuff
7. Say hello
kindnise!

23/366

Gracious hospitality,
homemade breakfast tacos,
sitting around the table in the bright sun,
shopping with so many girls,
good food,
good company,
the smell of books (and two in hand),
smooth coffee,
wonders around every bend.

22/366

Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

21/366

Head in the clouds.
I hope I never get over the wonder of flying.

20/366

But the best part may have been the guy who waved for the camera...

19/366

Vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it.
- Robert Orben

18/366

How do you describe well the blessing of having history together, years of knowing and being known, of loving and being loved? How do you describe the blessing of the gift of time together, of slow mornings and long walks and constant talks? How do you describe the joy of sharing beauty together, of sunny skies, of delicious food, of painted sunset skies?

All is grace.

16/366

Landscape

Isn’t it plain that the sheets of moss, except that
they have no tongues, could lecture
all day if they want

about spiritual patience? Isn’t it clear
the black oaks along the path are standing
as though they were the most fragile of flowers?

Every morning I walk like this around
the pond, thinking: if the doors to my heart
ever close, I am as good as dead.

Every morning so far I’m alive. And now
the crows break off from the rest of the darkness
and burst up into the sky – as though

all night they have thought of what they would like
their lives to be, and imagined
their strong, thick wings.

- Mary Oliver

15/366

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
- "Great is Thy Faithfulness," Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

14/366

View from the scorekeepers table.

13/366

winter comes to south Texas...

12/366

There’s a way that seems right to a man
Until he’s in over head and he don’t understand
How the plans he made only led him astray

But every good gift comes down from above
From the Lord of light like a labor of love
Upon the child who waits for Him

Sometimes you’ll find what you’re waiting for
Was there all along just waiting for you
To turn around and reconcile

And it may be broken down
All the bridges burned like an old ghost town
But this my son can be made new

It’s gonna be alright
Shake it out and let back in the light
And joy will come
Like a bird in the morning sun
And all will be made well
And all will be made well
And all will be made well
Once again
- "Morning Light" by Josh Garrels

11/366

A day of checking of to-do lists, interspersed with surprise interruptions and change in plans, all in the nicest sense.

(& who knew that we could find a pretty good Hatch green chile burger in Harlingen?!)

10/366

The truth is, you would think by this time in life we wouldn't struggle to get out the door on time. And yet, here we were on yet another Sunday morning, squabbling and getting all heart-bruised over last minute distractions. I needed a deep breath before I walked in that door. Everything fell into place as I saw the smile and wave of one my favorite girls, her eyes up and looking at this late-comer when everyone else had their head bowed. I slid into the couch next to her and inclined my head low and my pride lower.

Prone to wander, indeed. How thankful I am that He brings me quick to him. How thankful I am for forgiveness and assurance. And how thankful I am for dear friends, even of the 9 year old variety.  

(and how thankful I am for this season of a grapefruit a day, and friends that share generously!)