Eternal One, revealed in waves and in the waiting stillness, teach me to rest, content in your love. Let my life be a poem that tells of your care, always ready to rise up on trusting wings and risk the wind. Amen.
- Elizabeth J. Canham
Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today
Yes… yes… that’s it! I want my life to be a poem that speaks of and to Christ. I want to see Christ in everything about and around me. During the times when I do not reflect Christ, may I be drawn back to that beginning and hear the refrain of a simple iambic pentameter coursing through my veins. God my Father, God my Mother – may the echo I hear be the words you speak to my spirit.
Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today
Yes… yes… that’s it! I want my life to be a poem that speaks of and to Christ. I want to see Christ in everything about and around me. During the times when I do not reflect Christ, may I be drawn back to that beginning and hear the refrain of a simple iambic pentameter coursing through my veins. God my Father, God my Mother – may the echo I hear be the words you speak to my spirit.
…and still You speak!I was awakened early the other day. In the pre-dawn moments, I was nearly overcome by the melancholy song of the Mourning Dove. Its plaintive melody pierced my soul. God, God... give me the words to express my gratitude. My devotional read: "faith, hope, and charity [love] have no sadness in them" and yet the sorrowful cry of the Mourning Dove...
…and still You speak!Here are five daily habits (in no particular order and certainly not all of them!) that I try to complete. They contribute to my general well-being, happiness and gratitude.
1. Pray with purpose.
Keep a written list of people and needs to pray throughout the day to keep my mind focused on God’s presence in all circumstances. Here is a prayer app you can use to keep track of prayer requests on your phone or iPad!
2. Count blessings.
Whenever my head and heart start to wander towards discouragement, I jot down a few blessings. It helps!
3. Make the bed every morning.
This might seem silly, but for me making the bed is one act that starts a chain of other daily habits and feelings of happiness and gratitude for my home. It’s a little thing that is actually a big thing.
4. Take a moment to organize the bathroom.
Make sure the towels are all neatly hanging up and the counter is wiped off.
5. Practice intentional acts of kindness.What are some of your daily habits that change the course of your day for the better?
Everyone needs encouragement and we all need community. Even if we are busy, or naturally homebodies or introverts, it doesn't take much effort to reach out, build a little more community and make someone’s day a little brighter. Besides the occasional coffee date to chat face to face, I've been working on remembering to send out quick notes friends to let them know I’m praying for them and taking the time to leave encouraging comments or compliments for friends or acquaintances on a social media sites. That small effort makes my day happier, too.
Wishing
you everyday grace,
Tamara
Luke 17:10 (NLT)
10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Hi Tamara,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much stopping by my blog and leaving a 'footprint' in my comment box. I'm so glad to have a chance to visit here with you. I was blessed by your posting... and your little list of daily habits. I so enjoyed the quote you share by Elizabeth J. Canham.
Making the bed, tidying the bathroom and taking out the garbage include 3 of my home habits that make me feel I've started the day right).
This is a note to 'self' I've posted on my own blog about other daily habits:
1. Find the beauty
2. Laugh out loud
3. Clear the air
4. Rest enough
5. Create something pretty
6. Hang out with the Father
I look forward to visiting again. Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places...
Brend
Thank you, Brenda. I stop in at your blog often, I just don't usually comment. I do that a lot, I'm afraid. I love your list! I journal and I'm as often reminded to jot down a "blessing" I've found during the day. It can be something as simple as seeing a hummingbird flit by! Blessings, as well as beauty, are in the eye of the beholder. And behold all that He as provided!
DeleteTamara, Love your list. I'm right there with you on four out of five. Making the bed is a challenge but you are so right, it sets the tone for the day. #5 is my favorite! Practice intentional acts of kindness- We all need a little more of that. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. Somehow I just don't think kindness should be random. It should be intentional.
DeleteDon't know how it works. Do you automatically get the response that I made to your comment on my blog?????
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent post, Tamara. We're on the same "page". Oh, how I want my life to be a poem.
"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" contains the (approximate words): "Let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace." I guess "order" means something different for every person, but I have a sense of what it means for me. The neglect of those "habits" creates confusion and eventual chaos for me. A few habits (established or recently returned to) of mine include:
Praying the Hours - specifically the Morning Office
Fast-5 eating lifestyle
Journaling
Exercise regimen
Dishes done/counter cleared before bedtime
No, I don't get a notification when there is a response to my comment. I don't know how that works either! I love your list. Especially the last one. I need to add that to my list. I too, journal. I have a daily devotional I'm using and it is on hope, so every day I journal the title, the scripture and either a bit about the devotional, a prayer, or just some doodling on the page. I use a calligraphy pen for some of it. I agree about the neglect of those daily "habits".
Delete