Leaning In...revisited

Joe and I were sitting at the kitchen table planning our day. I looked over and there was Charlie tucked under Joe's arm and leaning in nice and tight. It's such a common occurrence, I hardly noticed he was there. Joe had his hand on Charlie's neck and was giving him a a distracted scratch. And, there on Charlie's sweet face...all the things he knows about being in this spot - comfort, safety, contentment, reassurance and love. It's his favorite place. 

It's a two way street - the puppies give as good as they get. I can be working in the kitchen and one of them will walk by and give my hand a quick lick as they are passing. Or, when I'm watching TV or reading a book one, or both of them, will cross the room to lay their head in my lap for a brief moment -just to check in.  I pat their head or scratch their chin; and, then they are off to do whatever they do. They seek me out and sometimes just to touch base. It's good for me, too. It's the way they love - they are masters at the gift of being present.

Do you ever think about all of the ways God loves you and makes his beautiful presence known in your life? Often, it is in the most unexpected ways. I believe Charlie and Augie are just two of the gifts God has given me to help me understand. I am grateful for these lessons.

I know God is forever teaching me to seek him, to lean in, to rest and to soak in the beauty of his strength. I know that great joy is found in his presence. I know all of these things about being in this spot - there is comfort, safety, contentment, reassurance and love. I want to let God love me like he desires to love me. I'm just not sure why it is sometimes so hard. 

Oh, Great and Wonderful Father

I have watched you through the years - loving the girls and, in the process, teaching them how to love. You do it so well!

You are patient and kind, you listen with your whole heart. You hear them. You laugh with them and they laugh with you. They make you laugh, you make them laugh! It makes my heart smile. You are gentle and offer support, stern when necessary and not judgmental. You have important and, sometimes nerdy,  conversations about all manner of things - "what if...?" and "what do you think...?" and "what do you know...?"; and, all the while, you are teaching them that you are interested, teaching them to be curious, teaching them to have a love for life and a love for the big and small things that fill their lives. You are trust for them and a safe place to love. The girls are grown adults now with grown children of their own. And, you continue to love them as only their Great and Wonderful Father can do. The way you will always love them - completely and unconditionally. 

You make it look so easy - because, for you it is! It's what you do. It's who you are. You know no other way. 

You have learned the art of loving so well. God poured into your heart this wellspring that continues to overflow and grow bigger the more you pour out its goodness.  God's sweet love dwells in you and it is exemplified through your life. 

And, I am so very grateful for you and the way you love! 

Lessons from the wren...

animalspot.net

So, I was on the deck this morning watering my plants and something brushed against my shoulder. I turned and caught some movement out of the corner of my eye and then saw a baby bird sitting on the seat of my porch swing - about a foot away from where I was standing. I surmised his flight from point A to point B was unexpectedly interrupted by encountering my shoulder during the flight plan. He didn't look too bothered or confused - was just looking around trying to get his bearings, to regroup and to carry on.

As Joe and I watched, he awkwardly took off over the deck railing and ran smack dab into the side of our neighbor's house. He wasn't going too fast or too straight; so, he wasn't hurt. But, again, his flight was unexpectedly interrupted. Again, he was forced to regroup before he could continue.

We came into the house and I fretted about how he was going to find his nest and if he was OK. Joe told me to relax - he will find his way. And, pretty soon, there was the little guy, sitting on the deck rail facing toward the direction where he originally started. He was on his way home. My new friend's flight lesson was over for the day.

There are lots of valuable things to take away from watching this little bird's flight experience...helpful things about trusting, focusing, letting go, landing safely, trying again, determination, taking a detour, being vulnerable, sitting still, carrying on... special lessons that are helpful in teaching your heart how to fly!