Leaves are falling. Squirrels are feasting on the acorns in our back yard. Looking out the 8th story window of my office space, a gorgeous sun dog shines ice halos.
I’ll never forget the crashing of waves at Costa Mesa and GS searching the pools of seawater for shell creatures.
I’ll never forget viewing the Grand Canyon and rocks of Sedona in AZ.
I’ll never forget my mother shouting out through our house on a Thanksgiving morning, “Look, look at the dolphins!” They had chosen that day to delight us as we watched in awe from the banks of the canal of my high school home. On other days a slow moving manatee surfaced in the waters of our canal. Or a mullet would leap out of the water splash down and pull me out of myself. How many times have I whispered, “Thank you, God.”
Some of these wonders are near, others require a trip far away and others fleeting and ineffable are a memory away.
There are other wonders that surround us in conversation, the literature we read, the songs we sing and the words I read. These wonders ever present serve as blessed assurance that we feel and know God’s presence. What are these wonders? Simply put, words, the words and word of God.
As I read Absalom, Absalom it fascinated me that its author found inspiration in this biblical story. As I read Abel Sánchez by Miguel de Unamuno, I found the story of Cain and Abel. My junior high friends wore a mustard seed encased in a crystal ball. Chariots of Fire, the movie and the soundtrack, moved me to appreciate this perfect title. I have heard comments to another’s good fortune, “he must have the keys to the kingdom.” Matthew 16:19
As I learn three new online learning environments this fall, count them three, I’m asking colleagues “How do you…?” “I don’t know, I’m so new at this, too.” A case of the blind leading the blind. Matthew 15: 13, 14
Who doesn’t seek the counsel of someone who “walks on water?” Matthew 14:22
The story of “Loaves and fishes” comes up when I wonder if there will be enough to go around. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
In lobbying for the interests of at risk students, I notice when plans, policies and procedures are set in place so that they don’t fall by the wayside. Matthew 13:4, Mark 4:4
A couple of years ago when ten acres of pasture burned at our place in the country, I was amazed that “out of ashes” the pasture returned to green within a month! Isaiah 61:1-3
We all struggle to not fall for negativity, things that bring us down. “He that is not with me is against me” reminds me to set necessary boundaries. Matthew and Luke
I once saw a young little league player strike out. Heartbroken, humiliated and down, I heard a dad shout out from the stands “Shake the dust off your feet. There’ll be another time!” Luke 9:3-5
All too often we see “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” as advertisers and politicians try to sell us a bill o’ goods. Or our precious Thanksgiving turns into Black Thursday coming before Black Friday. Matthew 7:15
“Would you recommend this person?” “He walks the straight and narrow and he’s reliable” may be my reply. Matthew 7:13, 14
When pundits jump in offering their two cents, my voice of skepticism wants to tell them “Judge not” or I remember this humble reminder “let he without sin cast the first stone.” Matthew 7; John 8:7
Honor your Father and Mother.
– Exodus 20:12, Deut 5:16
These references and so many others permeate our language and surround us whether we realize it or not. Like the dolphins that surprised us on Thanksgiving day, the slow moving manatee surfacing, or the joyful mullet splashing, the ripples of these words have reached our feet at many banks grounding us. Thank you, God. Happy Thanksgiving week and to several friends I wish a Happy Hanukkah which starts today.
Wonderful thoughts on this Thanksgiving morning. Here’s a treat for you … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYi9Vr8bHJY … Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Oh, what a wonderful treat and gift this Thanksgiving morning. Thank you. Love the words of “Simplicity” and I love these, too.
“Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he “
Amen.
blessings for beauty and memories. 🙂
Thank you, Theresa. May today warm you.
words that bless and encourage, that remind us of who we are – all Simple Gifts to be thankful for.
“remind us of who we are” We are surrounded by such words.
Lovely post, Georgette.
Thank you, Patti. I hope you had a wonderful anniversary day.
Georgette- you’ve done it again! You’ve said just the right things to put my own feelings into words! So many times I stop to wonder at the beauty and joy that surrounds us all if we just take the time to stop and smell the rises!!
It’s comforting to find what we have experienced or what we know to be true in these familiar words. I hope you had a happy day!
Now that was a post chock full of Thanksgiving blessings! Thanks for sharing these ‘words’ with us. 🙂
Thank you for reading. We are surrounded by blessings of all kinds, aren’t we?
Oh my, Georgette – this may be one of the most heart touching blogs yet! This is so beautifully & thoughtfully written & has deeply touched my heart to have these realities ‘shown’ to me through your writings … you are inspired, my friend, & an inspiration. Thank you for this amazing blog.
I know you recognize CB, FL in this! Thank you for reading, my friend.
PS The kids’ Christmas pictures are wonderful. Micah sure looks like a big brother and the one of the boys tussling makes me smile.
Lovely post. I had no idea so many of our sayings are derived from the Bible. Well, some I knew. Absolutely fascinating.
There are literally hundreds more! Thinking back to our Thanksgiving posts alerting readers to an erosion of our Thanksgiving traditions, it struck me that our language is filled with words of gratitude, hope and love that would be impossible to censor. Thinking way out there and perish the thought, I would hope there is no app or reader that would be developed that could scan a written piece for biblical references and root them out. Just thinking…