PUSH BACK AND TAKE A LOOK!

Often life is so busy, hectic at times that sitting still is foreign. On those moments that I do decide to still my mind, breathe deeply and just relish being, there's a "sweet spot" that provides solace for my weary state. Friends do you have such a place? There's a sanctuary that I have carved out on my sun porch. It's really not that obvious. My plaid pull-out sofa bed that one can't easily bounce off of is nestled strategically near the window. It's seen better days, but does it ever lend itself for great snoozing, reading and writing!  I often retreat there when I allow myself! It's my sacred space for my literary escapes. When no one is around I retreat there and enjoy time alone. The alone time is time well spent, truly a gift from God. This sanctuary reminds me of being with a trusted friend who's there when needed.

When I sat down on the sofa today I quickly realized it had been much too long-listening, awakening my spirit with the deeper things of life. The space allows me time for renewal. When I unlock the doors to the sun porch and don't just peak in or "straighten-up" before long my spirit retreats and reflects. This often results and mushrooms into a glorious nap, reaching for a magazine or novel awaiting me, creating an overdue blog post, reading or writing my devotionals, praying, singing or gazing out the window and marveling at nature.  In those instances I am smiling, noticing what I've overlooked and/or applauding the subtle shifts in the seasons. Normally I push the drapes on both sides of the sliding glass windows allowing for a little sunlight. Depending on where I'm seated I can only see tree branches or a section of the banister deck. There is only a mere view of the green outdoors if I settle for that. Occasionally if I want the feeling of the outdoors inside my space I fold the drapes up and over the curtain rod.  With this simple maneuver the room is transformed and exposes beautifully the top of the swing set, the neighbor's flowering hedges, the fascinating birds, butterfly's fluttering and the climbing vines wrapped around the tree trunks. Visually it's stunning, even startling and it really exposes a sweet tranquility that resuscitates my soul. And then friends it's crystal clear why I seem to have been bombarded with so many distractions unable to re prioritize and take a moment to push back, take an introspective look and just breathe! 

Today, God orchestrated that I would be open to Him, His instructions. I grabbed my laptop and cell phone, snapped photos, wrote what was on my heart, opened the windows and heard nature's songs in their full chorus. I whispered my thanks givings, because  God knows when the windows are open there's no reason for shouting! And I would like to think that God gave me the bright idea to lift the curtains over the rod no matter how uneven they would appear! It's simply another divine opportunity to push back and take a look. My heart was receptive!  

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) The Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/   

WOULD I KNOW HIM IF I SAW HIM?

Word4Word Poets

@ Aroma's Cafe

Newport News,VA.

"My sheep har My voice ad I know them, and they follow Me."
John 10:27

My poem:Would I know Him If I Saw Him was shared at the Word4Word Open Mic this past Tuesday evening at Aromas Cafe in Newport News. I was inspired to write and share days before this event. Was it ever good theraphy-sitting amongst kindred spirits loving poetry, writing their stories, unashamedly sharing their voices and experiences! There's power in these prose! No negativity, just acceptance and partaking in an honestly exhilerating evening! What a great way to conclude a workday.


The inception of my poem occured on Sunday afternoon. It was really a crisp, wintery feeling day. There was no snow, but it was certainly cold. I stood in my kitchen, wearing my favorite warn sweater and just enjoyed gazing out the window. There was nothing particularly interesting at that moment. But then I noticed a fire engine red furry ball moving, or so it appeared. As I looked closer, I realized it was a Cardinal playing in a pile of leaves. What a wonderful sight. This was a first for me, witnessing this.

Yes,this was truy a Kodak Moment! My camera wasn't in arms reach,when I returned ready to snap pictures, my cardinal had flown away. But what was truly surprising happended moments later when. I opened my dining room curtains and there on a Holly Tree branch was a Blue Jay perched and peering back at me. The bird knew I wanted to snap his picture and proceeded to give me an acrobatic arial show. No sucess with snapping his antics but I recognized this as a splendid moment. Then the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart that when we see the divine, see God's imprint, His outstretched hand in our simplistic lives, if we're rushing we forfeit the opportunity to celebrate the Divine-celebrate God with us! Do we know Him? Do we understand that He's been in our presence? Can we recogize Him in the ordinary? I surely hope so, because witnessing Him is a gift from heaven!

Would I know Him If I Saw Him?
by

Linda Mose Meadows (01/2010)



Standing on the cold linoleum kitchen floor,

Gazing out the back window,

Wrapped up in my heavy sweater,

No thoughts dominating another.

Just enjoying,

Enjoying my refudge,

Enjoying my sanctuary-home!

A sweet, easy Sunday afternoon,

My white, now gray warn sweater,

Hugs my weary body.

The atmosphere whispers,

“Rest, don’t you dare rush!”

“Move easy, don’t be hasty!”

Sipping warm chocolatey joy,

This is the long awaited elixir!

Delightfully perched,

The holly tree branches bend-sway,

Appearing so regal-so assured in your feathered coat of cobalt blue and steel gray,

You beckoned me to watch,

Witness your undisturbed perch.

Confident,

Pulling back my curtain, I applauded your presence.

Thank you, You are here!

And low and behold,

Another friend.

“Good Afternoon,Cardinal what brings you here?"

“Could this be the hallow ground that awaits us?”

And then it dawned on me,

Would I know Him if I saw him?

The Lover of My Soul, the Lifter of My Head!

Sun streaming,

Leaves twirling,

Crisp air moving.

Birds fluttering,

Stillness hovering?

Would I hear Him in my steps?

Feel Him in the atmosphere?

Hear Him in my breathing?

Reverence Him the quiet?

Witness Him in Nature?

Or rush past Him in haste?

Today, I know Him,

Acknowledge, notice the Divine,

Marvel at His presence.

You are truly here!

IT's A NEW DAY FRIENDS!

Linda Mose Meadows,

Inspirational Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Author of :

The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/ http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

EXPECTANT JOY!

Photography by Richard Meadows

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5

This was a real joy, seeing first hand this beautiful bird's nest with turquoise colored eggs in our backyard. My husband announced with joy, "We have a bird's nest in our yard that you need to see!" I said,"Ok show me, let's get the camera!"

He said in jest, "Ok at your own risk, don't be surprised if you get your eyes pecked out!" He reminded me that after we take the picture to be sure to cover the nest with the branch that he'd orginally cut down, not knowing what lay underneathe.

My husband pointed out that the bird is guarding the nest from predators.

Earlier that afternoon, Ricky had been busily working in our yard, mowing the lawn, cutting down bushes and clearing debris of leaves and branches. My husband said initally he ignored the bird's loud chirping. But then wondered why a bird suddenly began acting erratic with his flight pattern.

Ricky then discerned that there was something that he stumbled upon that the bird obviously wanted him to leave alone. There it was an amazing creation, the bird's nest woven intricatley together with pieces of blue plastic strips, branches, sticks and whatever else the bird had selected from nature to create this sturdy nest. Not only did it appear sturdy, but it was a beautiful masterpiece! I am so glad I could share the phot0 with you.

Imagine the time and energy this small bird devoted to creating the nest? He or she conceived in it's mind the nest and then got to work making this idea a reality! The bird or maybe several birds collectively were devoted to creating a sturdy nest to lay these eggs. They are anticipating the arrival of their creation.

Friends this is really another gift from God, encouraging us to do the same, to use the birds as a model to conceive in our minds what we endeavor to accomplish:

What are dreaming of?

What is your heart's desire?

What has God commissioned you to birth?

Well, breathe deeply and take heart! I am confident that God desires that you to get busy not only dreaming, but creating an action plan to realize it! Pray about the direction, ask Him to guide your steps and when the doors open and opportunities present themselves, trust that you are on your way to the realization of your heart's desire. It's on the way! Tell your self, " it's on the way!! " Your dream(s) can come to pass. Guard it, believe in it and see it done-it's sacred.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank you precious Holy Ghost for encouraging our hearts not to be timid about executing the plan that God has given us. We are active and alive and grateful that when we follow your lead and trust You, the plans, and the dreams you placed in our hearts will wonderfully unfold right before your eyes. So we will believe and choose to celebrate now with expectant joy the gift of a dream come true!! Amen!

Friends, I pray you'll be encouraged as you marvel at the beauty of nature and carry the gift of an expectant joy in your hearts.

Joyfully, Linda Mose Meadows