November Shared Photo - A Banquet is Prepared

A Banquet is Prepared

 

As I look at this photo I notice that while the table is carefully set, it also seems a bit informal - there are a variety of plate designs, the napkins are placed under the spoon and knife instead of under the fork, and there is no tablecloth. 

 

These are things that usually happen only when family or good friends come together to share a meal. The dishes of food, ready to be passed around, lend an air of anticipation - the meal is about to begin.

 

This scene, carefully set, is a reminder that sharing a meal is more than simply eating at the same table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Fields of Grace - Rope Swing

 

                           Rope Swing

 

                        Suspended by a

                          silver thread

                          it invites me to play,

                          promising rest

                          from the business at hand.

 

                       Stepping toward it

                          in my mind,

                          I swing freely

                          before reluctantly

                          letting go.

 

                       The invitation remains

                         whether or not I accept;

                         a gentle movement

                         calling softly,

                         waiting.



Christmas Plates

I have a collection of Christmas plates that I display in my kitchen at this time of year.  They are the familiar blue & white plates that are issued yearly.  Over the years I've found many of them at thrift stores, and one year in particular, I discovered a dozen or more plates.

As I looked through them, trying to decide which ones to buy, I noticed something special about one plate which was dated 1964.  On the back, the owner had taped a piece of paper which recorded some of the events of that year: "Spent 3 months in Florida; Tinker died; L. Peterson died."

I bought that plate, and now each time I handle it I think of the person who wrote those words; their story, their hopes and dreams.  Unlike the other plates, this one has a "human" side to it, and I take a moment to think about the person who owned it and offer a silent prayer for them.

Finding the sacred in the ordinary involves not only "picking up the plate", but more importantly, taking the time to turn it over, and discover what it has to say to us.  It means being aware and ready for the many surprises we may encounter along the way. 

Birdfeeders & Patience

Every time I fill the birdfeeder attached to a window in our living room I'm reminded of the first time I put it up.

We had been having problems with squirrels getting into our birdfeeders, so I decided to try something different and found one that attached to a window by suction cups.

I put up the birdfeeder, filled it, and waited for the birds....I waited, and waited.  It had been nearly a year, and I hadn't seen one bird at the feeder. 

I was ready to admit defeat and take down the birdfeeder, when suddenly, a bird appeared at the feeder!

After that, it was only a short time before other birds discovered it, and now I fill it several times a week.

Filling up the birdfeeder today I thought about how limited my patience was (and continues to be), and contrasted that with the infinite patience of God. 

Each day is filled with opportunities to experience the wonder and beauty of the Divine in the world around us.  Whether or not we take advantage of these opportunities, they are offered over and over again. There is no time limit on God's offer of Love to us.

November Photo for Reflection

Here is the photo, once again, for November's reflection; I'll be posting mine next Friday.  In the meantime, write down your reflections.
  
1. Notice the details of the scene.

2. Imagine yourself physically present in the photo.

3. Write down what you see, hear, etc., as you are describing the scene to someone.

4.  Is there something in your own experience that is triggered by this description? (appreciation, celebration, etc.).

Fields of Grace - Cemetery

Cemetery

 

 

 

 

Precise rows of monuments

great and small

stand in quiet witness

to lives long-lived

and unfulfilled tomorrows.

 

A place where

completion and interruption

lie side by side.

 

Where grief and sorrow

find a measure of comfort

in a sure and certain Design.

Prisms and Rainbows

I have some prisms hanging in my kitchen window - simple, clear crystals that capture the light.  The sun is lower in the sky this time of year, so direct sunlight shines through the crystals, painting rainbows on my walls.

When my grandchildren come over I spin the prisms and the rainbows swirl around the room, delighting them as they try to catch and hold the colors.

As I thought of the clear light shining through the crystals and then becoming rainbow colors I realized that this is how God works through us.  Like the crystals, we are not called to be anything other than we are - just that we remain open to the Divine in our life.

When we allow God to work through us, we don't always know who will be touched or how.  An encouraging word or an act of kindness are some ways the Light shines through us, bringing the "color" of God's love to those around us.

Changing Clocks/Shorter Days

Now that we have officially "fallen back," there is no denying that the days are getting shorter.  We live in a valley, and the sun begins to sink behind the ridge earlier than ever, and in another month it will be dark by 4:30 p.m.  It's hard to believe that in the summer it's light till nearly 9:00 pm.

While I enjoy all the activities of summer, I also appreciate this time of year when things slow down and I can catch my breath.  I know that by the spring I'll be thinking of all the things I plan to do in the yard, and eager to plant the garden; but for now, I appreciate this season of shorter days, and quiet reflection.

Just like the seasons of fall and winter allow the earth to rest, we also need a time of quiet.  We tend to forget how important it is to schedule some quiet time into our lives on a regular basis; too often we measure success by our accomplishments, or how busy we've been. 

November Image for Reflection

Here's the image for this month.
Refer to the Sept. 28 post for some guidance as you begin your reflection and writing. 

You can email any questions or insights to me at fieldsofgrace.cathy@gmail.com 
I'll share my insights on Nov. 16.