I haven't posted for a while as the fall and early winter were crazy for me, but this week I came across this poem and loved it so much, I had to share. Enjoy!
Snow in the Suburbs
by Thomas Hardy
Every branch big with it Bent every twig with it
Every fork like a white web-foot;
Every street and pavement mute:
Some flakes have lost their way, and grope back upward, when
Meeting those meandering down they turn and descend again.
The palings are glued together like a wall,
And there is no waft of wind with the fleecy fall.
A sparrow enters the tree,
Whereon immediately
A snow-hump thrice his own slight size
Descends on him and showers his head and eyes,
And overturns him,
And near inurns him,
And lights on a nether twig, when its brush
Starts off a volley of other lodging lumps with a rush.
The steps are a blanched slope,
Up which, with feeble hope,
A black cat comes, wide-eyed and thin,
And we take him in.
Happy Friday, and happy Valentine's Day. May your day be full of heartwarming words and perhaps a few chocolates! Thanks to the amazing Linda Baie for hosting today. You can find her post and links to the rest of the Poetry Friday gang HERE.
Welcome to Spiritual Journey Thursday, February 6, 2025. Thanks to Bob Hamera for hosting and providing our prompt today. Bob suggests we write about roadblocks and open roads. You can find his response as well as links to others in the group HERE.
Do you remember a time when you hit roadblocks? It happens to all of us.
I remember a particular Saturday morning when I went out to do errands. Upon return, I found that all my usual roads of return were blocked. I drove and drove, trying one road after another. All blocked! What on earth was happening?
It was probably my third or fourth roadblock when I began imagining train accidents or toxic spills from local businesses. I began to panic a bit. I called home. Hubby was safe and sound but had no clue about the blocked roads. I stopped at a gas station on the edge of town to see if they knew what the problem was. They had no idea.
I saw a Public Works vehicle go into town via a road I had tried previously, and I thought I could follow it, but by the time I got to the intersection the barrier was up again. What was it??
My plans for the day were fading. I needed a break, a safe place to sit and think. I needed to be still. In my confusion, however, I could not decide where to go. Instead, I kept driving.
Finally -- finally!-- I came upon an open road.And on the way home I saw barriers being taken down. Then it dawned on me. There was a local 5-K race! Streets were closed for a good reason! The weight of worry and fear lifted, and I had to shake my head at myself. In less than one hour my composure had been called into question, and I had come close to losing it.
I wonder if this happens in our spiritual journeys. We get caught up in our own plans, our own thoughts, and we forget that we are not in charge. Sometimes, for reasons we have overlooked or forgotten, the road is blocked in front of us. And we can't figure out what has happened, we become frightened, and maybe panic sets in. We feel the need to find a quiet place, to be still and think. And pray.
When there's a roadblock before you, I hope you will stop and find a quiet place. I hope the stillness will bring you closer to God, and to God's peace. And I hope, finally, the road will come open for you.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Happy New Year! I hope 2025 will be a good one for you.
Thanks to Margaret Simon for organizing the Spiritual Journey Thursday group, and especially for this new and beautiful image. Find here blog HERE.
It's time to figure out my OLW (One Little Word) which will guide my posts throughout the year. I had a lot of fun with SONG as my OLW last year. This year I'm choosing STILL as my word.
I'm a Martha kind of person. I tend to keep myself busy. I like my activities: keeping my home, reading, singing in choir, gardening, writing, teaching, praying. As times goes on, however, I realize limits of energy and time. I'm learning to appreciate still times.
Some years ago I had this little quote on my refrigerator.
God is the still point
at the center
utterly at home
God lives in us forever.
- Julian of Norwich
Winter is a good season to be still. It can offer quiet time, a slowing of our crazy busy lives. This is a good time to weigh the benefits of stillness. To listen for the still small voice.
from a 2016 calendar by Wendy Bentley
I hope to hear from you in the days ahead. Let me know if you find solace in stillness.
Here is a beautiful hymn, one of my father's favorites, to the tune of Finlandia by Sibelius.
Best wishes for a safe, healthy, and restful January.
