details...

In about a week and a half January will be over?! What starts out as a bang with the New Year slowly but surely morphs into one of my favorite seasons. Slow. Home. Routine. Cold outside. Warm inside. Winter. Sometimes cloudy gray skies. Other days blue and bright and glorious. Good habits. Bad ones. As much sleep as we need. Complete lack of it. But always met with a hot cup of tea whatever the time of day, whenever the thought crosses my mind. Peppermint, red raspberry or Adirondack serenity, a pinch of organic stevia leaves, and I make my favorite (for many months now) concoction. It's pure joy and comfort in a cup.

January has been full of details. And as I simply look around, or mindlessly browse through my photo gallery, I see these details really are the essence to my days. Not the source. But the tangible expressions a million times over in one simple day that I am loved. I am sought hard after. I have because I have asked. I don't have yet because I need to ask more. I am full of grace. I am a sinner. He is in passionate pursuit of, me.

Instead of measuring a day and its worth according to my own idealistic and romanticized standards, I see these details speak so clearly. Simple. Mundane. Easily overlooked for something bigger or greater or louder. Quiet. Luring. But coming straight from the Source, nonetheless. The One I have to dig deeper into hourly. The One quickest to forgive and then cleanse from all unrighteousness. The One who knows me. The One who desires me. The One who gives good gifts. Really really good gifts. 

My eyes are open to His hand and it comforts me daily.

These are His good gifts to me. 

Our little Johnny-boy doll. This was mine as a baby. Washed/soaked/scrubbed and dressed in Mom-Mom's hand made clothes. Given to our Johnny-Love for Christmas.

I turned 30. I also spent the week of fighting a cold and cold sore the size of Mt Everest, but Gabe still took me out!

Boys and tea cups has to be one of my favorite things.

A lot of living, breathing, and eating The Hobbit, and now The Lord of the Rings books, around here.

Jalapenos with cream cheese on a bagel. He and I share a favorite.

Sophisticated.

Out of all the other seats in the house. All of them, right here, by/on me.

Letters.

My favorite kind of learning. Together. Though I truly appreciate the independent times my older ones can have in their studies!

A little lighter a little later.

There is always a deep need to squeeze/bite him after I look at this one.

Decaf for a treat.

Just one of the big kids now. *sigh*

YUP!

Typical.

Playing with Legos. Not eating them.

My grandmother's handiwork. I remember her telling me to use them, however I can't help but keep them just for lounging pillows when reading in bed. Good thing that isn't too often in this season!

Counters covered in dish cloths. Some one's excessive/prepared edge always makes me chuckle.

Always a resting buddy.

Sundays.

The kids each wrote their own I Have a Dream speech. Hearts poured out, over prayers really, to see abortion end in their generation.

The month of love awaits.

Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? (Matthew 7:7-11 The Message)

What a good good Father I have. He cares deeply for me. I can bring my requests to the Lord.