When you're satisfied, you'll know it.

hearts

tu ne

Everywhere you go you make a sound.
What song have you left to stick in people's heads?

I could get angry about what has happened to you
I could be screaming with you
in my heart, I am.
But I want you to hear peace, instead.
I want you to know our voices were meant to soothe, to relate, to carry each other on.
I want you to know eyes were meant to take in light,
to communicate understanding.
I want you to know arms were meant for showing love. Arms hug.

Stolen Fruit

I live in Arizona now. I live in Arizona now.
Part of growing into this realization has included exploratory ventures around the state, around town, and around my new homestead (our property's lot here backs up to a national forest!) A few days ago I came across what appears to be a perpetual fruit stand. How couldn't I visit? (Easily, to be certain, but just not that day, as my weary-from-adjusting body and accompanying sore throat hijacked my ability to drive for a subconscious quest for vitamin C. Maybe I should have packed supplements, after all.)
They had home-grown-and-mixed spices, plums, peaches, cucumbers and nectarines. What are nectarines, exactly? Whatever they are, they looked lovely and vibrant. New times call for new fruits. A few dollars' exchange later I was on my way, enjoying one of my new treats and an open afternoon to find more furnishings to make my new place more home-y.
The girls want to make cookies this week, so some mixing bowls were on the list. No sooner did I return than I washed the fruit and pyramided it ever so delicately (sturdiest on bottom, bruised on top) in one of my new glass bowls. I set them on the craft drawer, which also doubles as a stand for my cork board until I figure out where it will serve most useful. (A sight to behold, and lovely deep red and orange personal reminder to savor the fruit God puts in my life.)
After an impromptu survey last week, I also learned that the girls have interest in learning more about the Fruit of the Spirit, a topic we'll pursue in the coming weeks with our hearts and evening devotion times.
That night, I had my door open as part of an ongoing invitation for the girls to drop by any time they like. One did just that, needing to borrow something. We went to the other room to find some, and when I returned, I noticed the nectarine structure's capstone had disappeared.
I know enough about nectarines to know they don't possess any sense of wanderlust, let alone physical mechanism for motion. I hoped it satisfied someone. Only soon after I realized that had someone asked, they could have had even better fruit; one not so bruised-up. I don't know how or by what assistance the nectarine managed this sort of relocation, but the thought of it left an impression in my mind:

This is the fruit I have given you to share from my abundance.

It was God's to begin with, and remains His; I get to serve its conduit to hungry tummies.

Just yesterday, a couple of my girls asked if they could have one.

What to do with a life so blessed?

Enjoy it, thank God for it, bless others with it.

Two Years Ago, Today

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day."

I now live 1700 miles from where I was born. Who knows what two more years hold. Who knows today.

Everything is different but God and His promises and faithfulness feel more the same than ever.

Pray. Breathe. Smile.

This summer I learned that the 'balance' between proactively searching and patiently trusting and waiting is not so formulaic as it is mindfully living to know, serve and delight in God with every breath.

Cuando respiras yo respiro.