21 March 2007

Faithful, like the trees.

" Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers - for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are." ~Osho

The other evening, during my favorite time of day, I found these lovely wildflowers sprouting up on the grassy strand in front of our yard. It made me happy. As a golden glow was cast on our lawn, I watched my husband contentedly care for our small piece of land. It's not much, but it's ours. It's our one piece of nature to care for and maintain. There is something fulfilling about that...






Lately, all of this creation sprouting around me has whispered one thing: be faithful. I know "faithful" is what I want to be in my marriage or in my friendships, but what does it mean as an overwhelming purpose? "Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Here we go again with nature being the perfect parallel to life.

What I'm learning is that faithfulness is simply about being who I was created to be. A tree does not wake up with a to-do list. It is simply a tree, and that is its job...every day. It is deeply rooted in the soil, straight down to the nutrient it needs to survive. It is just faithful being a tree, flowering in season and existing for the reason it was created. It does not worry what each day will bring or whether it will be ready when a wintry season comes to strip its bark and its leaves. It is ready.

What if....I just concentrated today on being a women of God and nothing else? Would everything else not fall into place? Will I not see that there truly is "a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"? (Ecclesiastes 3)

To this day, I've never heard someone say they were more stressed after spending time in nature. This is why people seek out retreats in the mountains, build dream homes by the sea, and nurture flower gardens on urban patios. There is something beautifully calming about standing in a forest, gazing up at redwoods with tops too high to see. Trees are simply doing what they are supposed to do - GROW. No...I don't know a single person who isn't quieted by standing among a forest of trees. And I think it will always be that way, because nature was created to quiet our soul, to show us our purpose, and to show us God.

"I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets. It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day. It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful. Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy."
~Hamlin Garland, McClure's, February 1899


Today, I will simply concentrate on being a faithful tree. And I will rest in knowing that my roots are reaching down just a little bit closer to their source of Life.

20 March 2007

What should we name our new wabbit?

Let's have a moment of silence. Today, we traded in my beloved navy VW Beetle that I've driven for 7 years and left with a green VW Rabbit. Sigh. I knew I couldn't have the Beetle forever, but it was still hard to let go. I'm not the type of person who often chooses the "practical" route, but I admit it would have been awfully hard to cart our kids around in a few years in a 2-door blueberry egg :-\

As soon as I got behind the wheel to test-drive the Rabbit, I had accelerated to 80 mph in 2.5 seconds, and Steven's back was pinned to the seat. I looked over at him. His eyes were wide with terror and images of speeding tickets were dancing in his head.

"I want this one!" I exclaimed.

So the Rabbit drives like a dream, has a 6-CD changer, is a 2006 that was pre-owned by a VW exec., only has 10,000 miles, and it has my one prerequisite: a sunroof. It is honestly a way better car than my Beetle, although I'm mourning the loss of my bud vase and the ability to spot my recognizable car across any parking lot.

Moving on now...since my Beetle was my kindred spirit, I'm going to need to name the Rabbit something cute immediately in order to start the bonding process. Here's where you can help! Any suggestions? The only one I have so far is "Thumper". What do you think?


17 March 2007

...And more spring beauty in North Oak Cliff...

I simply could not resist sharing more photos of the gorgeous spring here! I also have one strange story of what happened yesterday as I got a little snap-happy...it perfectly characterizes the type of neighbors we have.

As I was photographing this lovely Bradford Pear near our house, a burly dad holding a rake hurries down the sidewalk towards me. "Stop!" he says.

I pause.

"You can't take a picture of that tree. You're stealing its soul."

You kidding me? I don't know what to say. Suddenly feeling guilty for some reason, I stammer, "I...uh...I live down the street and just wanted to take pictures of some of these beautiful trees in our neighborhood...uh..."

"You're a freak," he says.

With wide eyes, all I can do is stare at him.

He stares back, dead serious, and then cracks a smile. "Just kidding. My wife [who is watching tentatively from the front yard] told me not to, but I thought it'd be funny to come over here and pester you."

[Polite grin and fake laugh] "Haha. Well, see ya!" Thoroughly weirded out, I go on my merry way.






14 March 2007

More signs of spring...

Steven planted me some surprise flower bulbs in the front flower beds, and just a few days ago, I got to appreciate their beauty! By the way, what husband does that? Man, I'm lucky! :)




It's fun not knowing what's going to pop up next...



"See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."

~Song of Solomon, 2:11-13

08 March 2007

Spring!

Our Bradford Pear is blooming nicely! These pictures just make me feel like spring...

BEFORE....


AND AFTER...