On the rare occasion that I consume coffee, it’s never earlier than 8:45 p.m. Of course this then sparks my intrigue for everything random and slumber does not arrive until well after 3:00 a.m. Four loads of laundry are folded, the t-shirt quilt I started 10 years ago is finished, the chaos of the laundry room closet is now organized, and the writing begins.
My feet carried me twelve miles this morning (at this point I suppose it was yesterday morning) before taking a two hour nap. Luckily, friends are being made on these runs. The little old Spanish speaking man in the jumpsuit at the walking trail is quickly becoming a beacon of excitement. The taser that normally fills my side pocket was in my hands and turned on the first time I saw him from a distance (as it is every time I pass someone unfamiliar). Two weeks later, we speak, we wave, we smile, sometimes he shakes my hand and asks how far I’ve gone. My desire to speak Spanish grows by the week. Goal: see if Rosetta Stone has a podcast for these long runs as the last one didn’t cut it.
The clock says it’s 3:25 A.M. What better time to write than this. The prompt: Recall an experience that changed your perspective on life.
What a great opportunity for depth, but venturing a different direction sounds appealing.
Rock salt. Shadows into light. Avenir. Alex rainbird. You often see my writing in a typical font. Easy to read. Very college paper-like, ay? Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced type of writing, but it never begins that way.
Writing has been a love of mine since 8th grade when Mrs. Rodgers assigned us poetry books. Encouraging us to create with words. However, as these words just hit the screen I am reminded of the poem I wrote for Mrs. Branson in second grade on a piece of big chief writing tablet paper. That’s the first memory of creating with words, but the love started in 8th grade. Mrs. Rodgers’ class. Hard to believe that was 22 years ago and she has still encouraged my writing into adulthood.
Give me a fireplace or a rainy day and a blank screen and life unfolds making more and more sense as words form sentences.
Running really far is fun (for me); it’s even better when Kyle rides a bike next to me. Sitting in my clean house (that’s not clean very often) is cozy and my favorite; it’s even better when I light a candle. Making out with your boyfriend is fun.; it’s even better with music. Seeing your husband walk in the room in his jeans, boots, and hat is great; it’s even better when he puts the hat on backwards. Clean laundry is wonderful; it’s even better when your new washing machine allows you to use softener after years of not being able to. Writing with pen and paper is my favorite; it’s even better when I steal one of my kiddos’ colorful gel pens.
John 10:10 says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. A life of abundance and hope because of jesus! Mere existence doesn’t tap into the “abundance” this verse suggests we have because of our hope in jesus. The thief comes to steal. Kill. Destroy. our peace. Our joy. Our trust. Our patience. Our love. Whatever is good.
Laying in bed last week smiling because I had socks on my feet, expressing my pure excitement because the blanket I was wrapped in felt extra cozy (thanks to the softener), and pumped for a glass of milk, Kyle said, “Man, baby you are thankful for so many things.!”
Gratitude feels abundant to me. Jesus is the source of abundance! Salvation. His forgiveness. Love grace. He is at the center of this abundance, but there’s so much overflow of gratitude because of what He has given; what He has done for us.
So yes, I am thankful for my socks. My cozy cheapo wal-mart blanket. Lamplight. Candles. The fireplace in our living room that is anxiously waiting to be used. My kids and nephew ditching screens for a bit, drawing and laughing in our music room, while I sewed in the midst of my chaotic sewing mess littering the floor that so many of you have probably seen because of my wide open windows. Wyn, my favorite Welsh man, who spoke of John 10:10 so often in the summer of 2011 that any time I hear that verse, quote that verse, see that verse, I think of him sitting at the kitchen table in Romania having a lunch time chat about abundant life. Washing machines. Flannel shirts. The bracelet pops made me. Getting to sit in my grandparent’s living room and learn about their lives and glean from their wisdom. Watching small town football games with my family, something I missed out on for 15 years. The list could go on and on. Everything I have is from Him. I acquired none of it on my own; and I’m grateful.
Back to Rock Salt, Shadows into light, Avenir, Alex Rainbird, and this prompt: an experience that changed my perspective on life. Writing in one of these fonts taught me that you can take something you love and make it even better with something incredibly simple. Throwing all of my thoughts on an empty screen is my favorite; using one of these fonts and listening to Indie/Folk Alex rainbird music makes it even better!
Look around for the abundance in life. You’ll find it!
Bye friends! 🙂