a little cheer

This morning, I stood by the kitchen sink, looking out the window, drinking a glass of water. I watched one drop - two - three, then several lines of rain fall from the sky. This turned into a quick downpour, so I was amazed to see two little birds remain standing on our lawn. I know avian creatures like birdbaths and all, but seriously, I thought those guys ought to take shelter under the bushes or something.

They did not. The birds stood there, looked up and around, and appeared to be very calm. I couldn't help but think of Matthew 6:25-27:

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

The more I watch birds - we have many flitting around our house - I truly get the impression they don't worry much. From where I sit right now, I often watch them perch on the very pinnacle of our neighbor-to-the-left's two story roof. Birds are not afraid of heights for one thing. And with the rain today, those two birds just stood in the grass soaking wet, yet visibly content. They took a few steps. Waited. Took a few more steps. In that moment, I longed for their faith; how they trust their Creator.

Johnny left while it was still dark to catch a plane, to drum in South Carolina, but it's OK. Though I dread when my husband leaves lately, I'm beginning to think I need a quiet house to hear God's voice, not my doubts and fears. To be still and know that He is God.

I actually thought of this the other night when we watched I Am Legend. I expected to be entertained, but I was not prepared to like that movie as much as I did. I really think Will Smith did a great job, and Johnny & I found redemption in the story. I don't want to give anything away, but later in the movie, a character said something to the effect of, "The world is quieter now. We can hear God speak if we just listen." That really hit me.

I'm finding that I need to listen. Put down the MacBook more often. Pray, and be sure to perk up my ears vs. only spilling my emotional guts. Instead of fighting a healthy nap like an obstinate child - lay the hell down, pray, and rest, all the while listening. When eating a meal on the couch - look out the window, listen to the birds chirp and converse. Pray even then, and be attentive. I don't always need to be entertained by a podcast or TED Talk, or a silly scene on YouTube. God is ever-speaking.

Anyhoo, other than those thoughts, I found a few bits of cheer today:

-I'm hooked on coconut black tea in the morning, but lately, only one cup. Then I brew a cup of rooibos tea which is caffeine-free. I'm trying to jolt my body less while still partaking of two cups. So far it's working out well.

-Our local Whole Foods finally restocked Chatfield's carob powder. Yep, I love carob. Thanks go to my Mom - she instituted a health food phase when I was shorter. She made carob birthday cakes and such. Of course I like chocolate, but carob is really good, too.

-I spoke with two good friends on the phone today. They live in Houston, but I don't get to chat with them enough because they have a gazillion cute kids, and I mean cute. But I made plans with each lady to hang out in person soon.

-I'm almost done reading So Brave, Young, and Handsome. I will for sure finish it today. This book gets better and better as Glendon's and Monte's journey unfolds. I'm excited to read the ending, but I'll miss the realistic characters. I love reading fiction. Hmm, I am dying to read Franny and Zooey, but I think I'll finish up The Maytrees first. I bet I'll be into it now. Do certain books do that to you, also? Not click with your psyche until a later time? I've always found that to be mysterious.

-The mere sight of Japanese coffee break stamps:

[photo from the Etsy shop, good-ness]

I'm not sure if my newfound love of rubber stamps is hip or happening, but they do make me smile.

-Shanna Murray resumed her lovely blog. Check out this room in her house - that wallpaper! I am serious about doing that to the walls in one of our rooms. I hope that Shanna makes more of these pillows (this is the other side). She runs an Etsy shop, too.

-Johnny's only gone 4 days this week. His trips are getting shorter and shorter, and there's only one more weekend in July. Yay!

-Friends (near + far) and family praying for me. Thanks, y'all.