Summer Version: Poem of the Month

 The Summer Day 
 Mary Oliver 


 Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?












 

I am still thankful.

It's been awhile...but I am still counting my blessings.

274. graduating
275. the way God worked out all my classes during a very stressful time in my life.
276. the support of very generous friends who provided the menu for my graduation party.
277. the fact that I have never been homeless.
278. I have never been starving.
279. God's provision.
280. encouragement from unexpected places.
281. gift cards for a special treat.
282. fine point pens for journalling.
283. Target clearance aisles.
284. the diligent prayers of prayer warriors.
285. car insurance.
286. being able to afford this month's car insurance.
287. a car accident that had minimal damage.
288. grace under pressure.
289. God's gentle character training.
290. meeting new sisters in Christ.
291. a home full of love.
292. a heart full of love.
293. tears.
294. a camera on my phone.
295. brownies.
296. a son who is a fine young man.
297. a heart of prayer.
298. fresh strawberries.
299. freshly bathed children.
300. free parking @ the beach.
301. close parking spaces.
302. giant inflatable inner tubes.
303. God's unconditional love.
304. that God is the same yesterday, today & forever.
305. cheap dog food from Winco.
306. Winco. period.
307. my preschooler's smiling face greeting me every morning.
308. Joann's fabric coupons.
309. lovely printed paper.
310. long term friends.
311. my brother & his family.
312. the fragrant scent of jasmine.
313. that I'm finished w/ school....for now.
314. vacation memories.
315. friends that always bring the focus back to our creator.
316. that I was the only person in my car for the accident yesterday.
317. that the car seat was not in the car during the accident.
318. that the Mr. happen to drive by when he did.
319. that he was able to stop & pull over to assist me.
320. being broke.

I am truly thankful for all that I have. My heart is full to over-flowing w/ gratefulness. I am blessed to see God's hand moving....& even blessed when I can't see it but still believe He is at work in my life.

What are you thankful for today? When I am at my lowest...I seek to be thankful and through the process of thanksgiving...it takes me out of that low place. When I am patient in the dark moments--the light reveals itself and the dark passes. I need not give in to it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.