Introduction: “…consider the Lillies of the field, they do not toil, they do not spin.” Matt. 6:28
“I surrender this day to whatever it may bring,
May I embrace it fully
May I have the courage to take the risks to follow my heart
And the wisdom to guide me
And the strength to carry out what is mine to do.
May I see others today with compassion
May I love myself well and all those I encounter
And may I be so very thankful for all I’ve been given.”
Reading: Yellow Diamonds
The weeds sparkle like yellow diamonds, dancing in the morning sunlight
After a cold dark night, lit only by the sparkling stars and the tiniest sliver of a moon
Now rejoicing for warmth, for light, for another day
Unfolding before us…
Gratefulness
We survived the night
And the day before
Uncertain as what time would hold
Yet we are still here standing
Observing, waiting, pondering
Which birds would fly by today
Would they choose me to land
Would they find their prey under my nesting
Would the deer come to graze
And perhaps choose me for nutrients
Or for their bed
Would the coyotes run through and trample over me
Would I still be standing by morning
Or would the world take me
The wonderings, the worries
All I can do is stand here
Proudly presenting my best self
Feeling the wind, the cold air, the warmer air
And very cold air again
Day after day
Night after night
The snow falls
The sun shines
The moon rises
Days go by
I hold here
Openly
Patiently
For the hopes of spring
And new growth
What will I gain from the earth this season
And offer back to the world
So much uncertainty
Unknowing
Without controlling
The animals, the birds, the sky
I stand here
Presently, bravely, with courage
This day
In the morning sunlight
And sparkle like yellow diamonds
I too am a weed,
May I sparkle like yellow diamonds.
Benediction:
Watch the River flow, Feel the sun on your face, And the breeze, listen to it…
As the birds sing and move about, As the grass and weeds ruffle in the wind
As the rays of light reach your skin and everything you see
Brightening the color of the blue sky, the white clouds, the green grass
The feathers of the birds and the red of your heart
Hear the chimes as they offer beautiful melodies of spring, of hope, of peace
Holding this moment of earth and sky and you
As sacred
Letting go of agendas, letting the day unfold, welcoming all it is to hold
As you listen to something Greater, something Deeper, feel the beating of your heart.
May this moment of stillness, of clarity, of Love be the undercurrent guiding you about
this day…
Julie Geisen-Ritchey “Jules “grew up in southern Indiana and has lived in Michigan, California, a brief time in France and has now settled into the farm life in Markleville, IN. After graduating with a MA in School Counseling from Andrews University in 2010 her life took a different path, leading her in an unexpected nomadic way of living for 3 and a half years. During this time of moving about in Michigan, staying in North Carolina and New York, traveling through France and several trips to Indonesia there was much to learn about culture, people, family, and herself. Finally in 2014 Jules found her new home with Cliff and Cove and Bella and has been settling into doing photography and music with Cliff and learning the ways of motherhood. Life couldn’t be more different and better than ever imagined.
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