Color of Mercy

The color of mercy is red, white and blue. 


Red is the blood of Jesus that bought our freedom. His mercy flowing down. 


His blood bought our freedom and washed us white as snow.


Blue is the color of ministry, of service. We are blood bought and blood washed so we honor Him by serving, by laying down our lives for others. 

Cruciformed

"to be cruciformed like God"

- forming or arranged like a cross -


to be cruciformed we must be open 


open to suffering
open to pain


open to love, to the unlovable


open to the sky, the wind, the rain
open to sensation
         to scents
         to see - to the light
         to sound - to the music


open to giving, forgiving and giving up


open to surrender
open to submission


open to release
open to receive


open to healing
         to abundance
         to overflowing


over and over and over. . .


until cruciform forms our very life.
      

A Memory of Mercy

   When the Biker and I were raising our little ones we were blessed with a wonderful pediatrician.  He kept a small practice and never overloaded his schedule. If you called before nine in the morning  he would answer the phone himself and tell you to bring them right in, no waiting for an appointment at four in the afternoon when the baby had cried all night.  He did not want to know which ear was bothering but preferred to make an unbiased diagnosis.  He was not quick to prescribe medication unless it was necessary but did not hesitate to hospitalize if it was warranted.  

Ugly-Beautiful Gifts

     The Joy Dare for today is: 3 ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly).  Joy Dare Here  My ugly-beautiful gifts are an old stool and a worn pair of Crocs. One + a pair = 3.
     The stool moved with us from Nana's house on the hill because she left it behind when she emigrated south with Grandpa.

Sweet Sugaring Time

   With the changing of the season comes the lingering light. The sun warms the frozen ruts to mud and the promise of life and sweetness is in the air as the maple trees turn their faces to the sun.   Sugaring time is a flowing and filling time. It is a time of working and waiting.  Holes are drilled, taps are tapped, lines are strung and buckets are hung. The wait for cold nights and warm days to flow the sap has begun.  

Ash Wednesday: Define Mercy

punishment withheld
not having to clean up my own mess
not being made to pay my own debt
not serving my sentence
not reaping the sin I have sowed
not being paid the wages of my sin which is death
not being required to to pay for my own sin with my own blood

29 Years

    As she mops the kitchen floor she thinks of that day 29 years ago cleaning the little apartment. It was Friday. She always did her "Saturday" cleaning on Friday back then so Saturday would be  free if he had plans.  She is one day past her due date and having contractions. They are not hard or regular. She does not time them.

All About Shoes

         My husband says I have a shoe fetish.  If you read the definition of fetish, that is not true.  I like shoes. I am attracted to shoes. I look at shoes. I buy shoes.  I am fascinated by shoes.  Shoes are fun. Shoes are interesting.  And, of course, the shoes make the outfit.