The Value Of Today Is The Music In Tomorrow's Song

Although this season of my life is no longer defined by one school year ending or another school year beginning,  I wrote this in 2006, during a season when it was.

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As the carefree days of summer fade, I look ahead with anticipation to the more structured schedules of school days.  There are preparations and plans to be carried out. There are hopes and dreams to be fulfilled!  I cherish this moment of solitude to ponder the value in a day.   

Thru all of the summertime amenities we've enjoyed this year, it is the sweet simplicity of two days in particular, that I especially hold dear.      

Today we've taken a road trip, visiting friends of yesteryear, celebrating newborn babies and having lunch with "the aunts and grandma".  Driving down the road, my 13-year-old daughter and I exchange the quiet hum of the air-conditioned car and every hair in place for open windows, tousled hair, and loud music. Not many words exchanged, we occasionally chatted or laughed, but mostly we sang.  We enjoyed the music and were thankful in  "just being together".

With our favorite teams and high fives, my 10-year-old son and I spent the day at the ballpark, complete with highlights and statistics. Not many words exchanged, we occasionally chatted and laughed, but mostly we cheered as the fans roared.  A different kind of song, a different kind of music today, yet so much the same... enjoying the game and thankful in "just being together".

Sometimes the value in a day seems ordinary, even undefined for the moment.  It isn't always ushered in with grand pomp and circumstance. Oft times it is quite the contrary.   As I settle in for a good nights sleep, (after both of these days) I am deeply assured, the simplicity and the value in these days extend thru all of life, and rest quietly in the music of tomorrow's song.  

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In the blink of an eye 12 years have come and gone and 
 I am joyfully and with gratitude, living in the music of tomorrow's song (as far as a raising a young family goes anyway).  The time, the investment, the "just being together", teaching, admonishing, and that song in my heart is reaping dividends greater than I could've ever imagined. 
There is something for all of us in understanding the value of a day, everyday!  Maybe you aren't living tomorrow's song just yet, but be grateful for every moment! See the value in time spent together no matter how simple.  Even when the seasons look different or a day seems undefined, cherish it deeply.  

I love how Paul, the writer of Colossians admonishes us, 

 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. -- Colossians 3:16 

Make today count! Spend time together! Let the fragrance of thankful worship surround you.  There's always music waiting to be heard in tomorrows song.  

Crystal

WALKING IN FREEDOM

Getting up long before the heat of the day makes its presence known, I head out the door for an early morning walk.  It's a walk I've taken a hundred times before, but today...Today is different!  There is no agenda, there are no fitness goals to reach and no schedule to keep.  It is simply a morning devoted to stepping away from the routine and the noise of a busy life, quieting my heart and remembering to give thanks for the FREEDOMS I have, both as an American and as a Believer.      

For you were called to freedom, brothers.   Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   Galatians 5:13 ESV 

At the foundation of our great nation, I see Galatians 5:13 lived out. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence served with love by pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to one another.

I am especially grateful today, to all the men and women in uniform who continue devoting their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to keeping our nation free.  It is thru that freedom, I can make the choice....to shut off life's noise for this moment in time, to walk thru my neighborhood and see the goodness of humanity all around... free people, serving one another in love.

A young mother walking her sleeping baby, 

Two grown sons helping their ageing father with yard work,

A seasoned veteran, gently and without fear, sweeping his driveway,

An athletic dad jogging (in flag shorts) behind his toddler's stroller,  

Two brothers working together, tearing out and rebuilding a cement porch,

A stranger watering her yard and taking time to greet me with joy,

and, lots of beautiful flowers and flags and porches at every turn, that beg, "come and sit awhile", this is the land of the free.

Psalm 33:12 says Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage.  

My heart is filled up this July 4, 2018.  May we as a free people 

 always remember

to give thanks...

and cling to the one who offers freedom, everlasting.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36

WALKING IN FREEDOM

                   

FOCUSING THE LENS

I admit it!  I'm somewhat of a photo junkie.  Taking pictures has been a hobby  (an obsession) for as long as I can remember.  The evidence is everywhere!  In my prized collection of scrapbooks, in boxes and boxes of prints (from way before the digital age), and NOW in files and files of electronically organized photos... each good (and not so good picture) tells a story!

Capturing each moment along the way has brought me great joy!  The art and science of photography (and sometimes even a little irritation from my teenage subjects), has been a great way to mark the past, the present, and yes, even the future.

My husband and (now) adult children, (those once slightly irritated teens) have come to fully appreciate my picture taking habits.  Recently, (for Mother's Day) they gifted me a brand new camera.  I've gotten some great shots over the years with simple cameras, and I love my iPhone camera, but this one is a "fancy one",  loaded with lots of settings and lens options.   It's been fun experimenting, learning new techniques and angles and lighting features... all for the sake of capturing the moment...with creativity...quality...and you know, "THE PERFECT SHOT" 

Interestingly, as I expand my lens on photography, I am learning it isn't just about a hobby, it's becoming a daily reminder to expand my lens on life (my perspective if you will),  allowing me to push beyond my narrow borders---both physically and spiritually, to sit (or stand) in awesome wonder!  To consider, ALL Thy Hands have made. To take in, ALL of His creation.

I am reminded of the English merchant and a renowned poet who stood watching the sun come up out of the sea.  The bright yellow disk of the sun emerged, gilding the water and painting the sky with a thousand colors.   "Ah! I see gold!" the merchant said.  The poet answered, "I see the glory of God! And I hear a multitude of the heavenly host crying, "the whole earth is full of His glory."

one of my favorites- Wrightsville Bridge

There is a myriad of people, places and things I am already planning to capture through my "Canon Lens",  but what about the lens of a busy life, filled with noise that I sometimes have to sift thru? What about the circumstances where I struggle to see the beauty,  the desperate needs in the lives of so many, overwhelming me at every corner?

Whether it be photography, some other form of creative interest, or just plain ole' good intention and discipline...

Let us push back the narrow borders of our individual worlds, let us refocus our lens.  Through the BEAUTY and the BROKEN,  let us take in the WHOLE creation of God.

IN THE EVERY DAY, SEE HIS GLORY! 

Thou art worthy,  Lord to receive glory and honour and power; 

for thou has created all things.
  

Revelation 4:11 

Taken in Alaska in 2016

A recent favorite...not taken by me, of course :)  

Hadassah sending Uncle Matt graduation well wishes