What do God and a 3-year old have in common?

Yesterday, after taking my son to get his hair cut at his favorite place, Snip Its, I was buckling him into his car seat when he reached out and hugged me close, saying, "Mom, I love you!"

"I love you too!" I replied, savoring the hug.

"That makes me a little bit like God." he stated matter-of-factly.

"Well, I guess it does. God loves all of us, doesn't He." I said, my eyes brimming, my heart truly touched.

"Yes, and He gives all kinds of wonderful things to be thankful for!" He replied. "Can I have my green army men?" he asked.

It took me a minute to process the request, realizing that my son was staring up at me expectantly. He asked me to keep them safe in my pocket while he got his hair cut so they wouldn't get lost.

"Sure buddy," I replied, reaching into my pocket and fishing the troops out.

How often do we feel inspired to reach out and embrace someone and tell them how much we love them, to assure them how much they are loved by many, but we resist out of fear or self consciousness? I believe that God often works through people to let us know how much we are loved. If we resist the impulse, we are impeding that divine thread of connection. Who are we to short circuit a message from God for someone else? The next time I get that impulse, I'm going to let go and trust that it is perfect and that it is exactly what that person needs to know in that moment. I am thankful to my son for that reminder.

When we truly let love flow through us to connect with another with an open heart, unconditionally, we are all like God.

The Simple Woman's Daybook blog - January 9, 2010

January 9, 2010

Photo for thought...


Outside my window... the sun has risen - so excited that the days are getting longer.
I am thinking.. of writing a letter of encouragement to my sister-in-law, a woman I work with, and of the 3 yoga classes I'll teach today. I really need to ge my music organaized for that.
I am thankful for... a great week. I am proud that with strength from Him through daily prayer and faith I was able to, for the most part, conform myself to my new schedule and saw great strides in working "smarter" as a result. Attitude counts for a lot when you just don't "feel" like doing something.
From the learning rooms... stillness - and I am thankful that my husband cleaned last night after I went to be early.
From the kitchen... dinner dishes that need to be washed.
I am wearing...  the fleece jacket that Paul gave to me.
I am creating... an afternoon for Preparation.
I am going... to have a wonderful day.
I am reading... Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn.
I am hoping... for endurance to get through all 3 yoga classes today. I think I'll have to start using student s to demo some poses as my belly is preventing me from getting into some at this poing with proper alignment.
I am hearing...the hum of the refrigerator, the ticking of the clock, the tapping of the keys, the songs of birds outside.
One of my favorite things... the warming effect of hot chocolate when coming in from winter outdoor activities like sledding or skiing. It's something about the combination of the cold cheeks, physical exertion, moist head and body from sweat, the sweetness of the drink, and being able to feel warming all the way down into the belly.
A few plans for the rest of the week...teaching Sunday School tomorrow and going sledding with the family.

Inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

 11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

 - Hebrews 11: 8-12

The Simple Woman's Daybook blog - January 6, 2010

January 6, 2010

Photo for thought...


Outside my window... the sun has set.
I am thinking.. tired, tired, tired.
I am thankful for... a great day with friends at the EcoTarium and at playgroup!
From the learning rooms... stillness.
From the kitchen... getting ready to prep dinner - peanut rice noodles with chicken and broccoli.
I am wearing...  cords and a long sleeved tshirt and a long cardigan sweater!.
I am creating... a relaxing evening.
I am going... to get to bed early.
I am reading... Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn.
I am hoping...ease.
I am hearing...D singing to himself in the bathtub
One of my favorite things... spontaneous hugs from my son.
A few plans for the rest of the week...completing the mid-year report for the yoga grant I received form Tufts Community Health.

Inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Our capacity to make peace with another person and with the world depends very much on our capacity to make peace with ourselves.

In a true dialog, both sides are willing to change.

     - Thich Nhat Hanh

 

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook blog - January 5, 2010

January 5, 2010

Photo for thought...


Outside my window... a very gray day.
I am thinking.. that I am feeling very relaxed!
I am thankful for... the blessing of being at home with my son. he is so awesome!
From the learning rooms... my son is watching Muzzy - in German - by request. Pretty cool!
From the kitchen... getting ready to prepare lunch - grilled cheese and tomato soup.
I am wearing...  cords and a cotton tshirt - it is only a funtion of maternity clothing that I am voluntarily wearing pink and purple together. Oh, to have a "real" wardrobe again!.
I am creating... a winter-themed craft for the afternoon and the homeschool co-op schedule for the next few months.
I am going... to introduce about 50 people to yoga this evening - very exciting!
I am reading... the book list for the Five In a Row literature-based curriculum and price shopping for the books on-line. Placing our order today!
I am hoping...to have our bedrooms organized before the new baby arrives - we will need lots of time and storage boxes!
I am hearing...a blend of WBUR and German...
One of my favorite things... comfy house socks.
A few plans for the rest of the week...calls for the CDO training and the new Prosperity Circle I will be leading.

Inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, describes his life after a massive stroke left him with a condition called “Locked-In Syndrome.” Although he was almost completely paralyzed, Bauby was able to write his book by blinking his left eyelid. An aide would recite a coded alphabet, until Bauby blinked to choose the letter of a word he was dictating. The book required about 200,000 blinks to write. Bauby used the only physical ability left him to communicate with others. - Dennis Fisher

Words of Thanks from my Son

Yesterday my son and I enjoyed a walk around the perimeter of our back yard, peering into the woods for signs of animal tracks. We found tracks of our neighbors dogs, possibly a cat, and possibly a squirrel or a rabbit. We took photos and had fun. The air temperature was right around 30 degrees with a bright and sunny sky, the snow seeming to shimmer like crystals or diamonds.

Once back inside and stripped of our winter wear, we sat down for a snack of hot chocolate and graham crackers. I placed my son's snack down in front of him and turned around to get mine from the counter.

"Thank-yous!" my son announced and placed his hands together into a prayer position. "Thank-yous" are what we call "saying grace" in our home.

"I'm thank-you for you and for snow and for the sunny sky and for hot cocoa and for all God has given us!" My son enthusiastically stated.

My heart swelled and tears came to my eyes. It was the first time I'd ever heard him give thanks to God. He is a very thankful little boy and always has much to be thankful for. It was the first time, however, he'd ever on his own attributed any of our blessings to God.

"I like that thank-you, D." I said softly.

"Mom, I am thank-you for ALLLLLL God gives us!" he said again. "AMEN!"

"Amen," I echoed, placing my plate on the table next to him.

We ate together in silence for the next few minutes, gazing out the back window to the woods, the sun shining brightly through the trees and onto the frozen pond beyond.

The Simple Woman's Daybook blog - January 4, 2010

January 4, 2010

Photo for thought...


Outside my window... the sun is rising, the sky is  slowly warming to soft pastels of blue and pink and yellow across the pond.
I am thinking... that it feels reassuring to be back into the normal routine of life, gearing up to work smarter and to be more supportive of my loved ones by creating a better structure for myself during the day and week.

I am thankful for... for the past two weeks of wonderful holiday gatherings, for the time with my husband, for the reconnection and enrichment of our family.
From the learning rooms... order - we reorganized the room and the toys after Christmas - now on to creating the 3rd floor office and play area!
From the kitchen... the oven is heating for the quiche and roasted potato breakfast, coffee aroma, and the hum of the refrigerator.
I am wearing... my pjs.
I am creating... a relaxed pace for the day and time for blogging.
I am going... to the chiropractor's this morning.
I am reading... 3 books at once - per usual.
I am hoping... to leave an impactful legacy of the Spirit of Jesus when it is my time to leave the earthly tent. So sad that Ken Waugh has left us, but knowing that he is with the Creator is life affirming. If only I will be so blessed to leave a loving legacy in the Spirit of Jesus as Ken did, inspiring us all to care for one another better and to be present to one another We love you Ken and miss you!
I am hearing... nothing stirring upstairs - which means I'd better wake the guys up!
One of my favorite things... having leisurely time to reconnect with dear friends.
A few plans for the rest of the week... teaching yoga, churning out large numbers of emails to get caught up from vacation.

Inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Our Heavenly Dwelling

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

 - 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

A New Year - A New Decade - 2010 is here!

I'm back after taking time off for medical emergencies and the holidays. I'm fueled, inspired and ready for 2010!

I'm re-reading the book, Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn. I credit this book with igniting my formal spiritual practices of meditation and prayer. It is a beautiful book and I highly recommend it.

When you have mindfulness, you have love and understanding, you see more deeply, and you can heal the wounds in your own mind. The Buddha was called the King of Healers. In the Bible, when someone touches Christ, he or she is healed. It is not just touching a cloth that brings about a miracle. When you touch deep understanding and love, you are healed.

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, penetrated Him deeply, and He revealed the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus healed whatever He touched. With the Holy Spirit in Him, His power as a healer transformed many people. All schools of Christianity agree on this. I told the priest that I felt that all of us also have the seed of the Holy spirit in us, the capacity of healing, transforming, and loving. When we touch that seed, we are able to touch God the Father and God the Son.

Hmm... a warm humm in my heart as I read and reflect on these words. What will I do as a regular practice in 2010 to endure that I am mindful, present, and in touch with the seed of the Holy Spirit within me to heal my own mind, my family, and my community? What can I do to remind my loved ones of the seed within them? How can I promote a culture of mindfulness in my home to have our home be one of healing for all who enter?

Best Wishes for YOUR New Year and let's make is a wonderful one together!