Six Word Story

"We're OK. Seatbelts and airbags work." Six words can tell a whole story. This is an assignment for entering a She Speaks Conference contest. It was fun to experiment with various storylines to develop something that packed a punch in six words. Hoping to learn more at the conference.~ MLE

At the River

It's a Sunday morning in June and I've assigned my eight year old son the task of finding the opening hymn before worship begins. We do this every week. We go through these tasks like clock work. The boys know the routine. Look up the hymn numbers, hold the offering envelope, bow their heads, pass the offering plate, stand, sit, and so on; a whole choreographed twenty minutes before "Children's Church!"

I ask them to find the page numbers, hold the hymnal, and look up the Scripture passage. I whisper to them when to stand, sit, and bow their heads. I ask my boys to do all these tasks, but I can't make them pray the prayers. I can't make them sing the songs. I can't make them worship. I think about that sometimes.

We hear the music play. We rise and Ben catches my ear on the way up and says, "There aren't any turtles, fish or frogs in it." After a long second of attempting to fit his comment into the context of the moment, I realize Ben had read the lyrics to the hymn we were about to sing, "Shall We Gather at the River?" He was commenting on the lack of wildlife described in the text, since anytime he goes to the river with his dad and brother they discover all sorts of creatures. "You're right," was all I managed to say before the hundred voices drowned out my whisper.

I sang with a smile on my face and a giggle in my heart imagining all the shining, crystal, brightness of the Heavenly River with the Saints, turtles, fish and frogs! As we sat back down into the pew I took the next forty-five second pause in the worship service as a "teachable moment" to summarize the lyrics, point to the baptistry and relate it all to New Life in Christ. Sometimes, I work really hard at my Christian parenting responsibility!

So that Sunday in June we were singing about the River and reflecting about the water of Baptism, but it was a week later when they gathered at the river, the Broad River, that is. My male trio put on their oldest shoes, packed a lunchbox with juice, snacks, and water and headed to the Broad River Greenway- A glorious spot for creek splashing, mud-slinging, and creature spotting! I had a glorious three hours to myself in our air-conditioned house!

The adventurers returned with matted hair, smelly clothes, dirty arms and legs and tales to tell. Youngest started with "Let me tell first!" With energy and enthusiasm, he shared what they had seen, dug up, chased, and touched which included crayfish, salamanders, dragonflies, frogs, fish, and turtles! After his tale, big brother gave more details about their discoveries. Dan and I listened and I just captured it all on the "Mommy Memory."

As I was basking in the moment of familial bliss, Dan said, "What else did we find at the river?"

Well, the boys thought and reviewed the list: "two frogs, one salamander, one turtle we touched, several turtles on the rocks, and one snake eating a fish!" Ben and Brian agreed they had accounted for everything.

And Dan asked again, "What else did we find at the river?" No one answered, so Dan did, "Grace." And Dan continued, "Remember, Brian, you saw Grace at the river."

"Oh, that's right, she called to me and walked towards me." Brian replied. Although my heart was beating fast, it wasn't my heart that quickened during this conversation. God was in this living room with my sweaty husband and dirty children!

It was Grace at the river. It was the same Grace that filled my lap to overflowing at a birthday party in December. It was Grace who recognized my child and called out his name. Grace found them at the River!

"Yes, we'll gather at the river, (with the frog and fish and turtle); Gather with the Saints at the river; That flows by the throne of God!"

Remembering, writing, and sharing those June days on this blank space and not seeing your face, seems, oh, so strange. But we know each other by His Name, His Call, His Presence, and His Place and my heart is glad. I am thankful for this opportunity to write and offer this. For several years I have read Ann's blog and wondered how or when to begin. Perhaps this is the time to share, to write, to speak. ~ M.L.E.

Warm thoughts in August

Four around the table
Door opened
We departed
Four doors closed.

Clouded sky watched
Radio silent
Thoughts drove me home.

Around the curves
Remembering conversation
Slowing down
Savoring another memory

His Word
His Presence
Revealed around the table.

And now here
On the drive home
Rain came
Softly.
8-4-09



Coming from nested shelter,
The rafter appeared
Noiselessly on the hayrolled field.

The Sunday dawn beckoning
Kin of all sizes
To green pastures.

Crossing the road ever vigilant
They passed right before me
Thoughtful and smiling-
"Turkey in the road!"
8-9-09

PIANO

The piano
long traveled
is here
awaiting a touch
for music.
As I.

Lots of Found

Found Jesus
Found friends
Found book
Found pom-poms
Found __________

This began as a list to a friend because I found something silly to share. Scrawled these words out when I left a book with her. Found- grounded word, like its sound.

Still struggling with this cyberworld of words.
whirlpool- inviting and warm, gather and join, foot in, foot out, too swirly, too steamy
lay my towel out and listen some more.

Villanelle

Come and see, you know the tune.
Turn the corner and you will hear
The Lily of the Valley now in bloom.

Unfurled leaves to receive soon,
Mercy rains and snow severe
Come and see, you know the tune.

The small white never will presume
Bent over honoring and in fear.
The Lily of the Valley now in bloom.

'Tis sweet to sing and delight in perfume,
The season scent may bring a tear
Come and see, you know the tune.

Not one, not two, stalks arrive triune,
Waiting long for flower to appear
Come and see, you know the tune.
The Lily of the Valley now in bloom.

A year long wait for these Lilies of the Valley I transplanted from my mother's backyard. Imagined this poem, but they did not bloom in my garden. Sister's and mother's full bloom on Mother's Day and my stalks barren. Hoped for and now some sadness. Found Honeysuckles a wild and have picked them for my hair.

O.K. here goes. Trying out this whole blog world and putting a few words out there.
This week's High Calling Blogs- RAP

Desired
last week.
Sought out.
Bought new.
Now, I'm left
laid aside.
Looked for
to see through.
Put down
to see far.
Here, there,
by, on, near.
I focus
the small.
I magnify
the close.
Now, I'm left
laid aside
on a stack
of books.