Friday, March 31, 2017

Slow Spring



As I'm writing these words, the sun is setting and painting the sky through the trees, a sprinkler is running nearby and I can hear the whir of cars passing, a tree chipper working hard, birds twittering and locusts humming.

The house is so still and quiet - the light is peacefully fading, dishwasher whirring and everyone is present but scattered and occupied quietly. A peace settles over me and a compelling to sit and slow and soak it up and be part of it.



The pollen has finally settled and it has been a cooler Spring than I can ever remember. I'm appreciating little joys this Spring too. The girls are in the garden just now looking for sprouts from their seeds, a tree slants nearby and I hope it gets taken down before it falls down!

I want to slow down and enjoy these early Spring days - to take picnics, go exploring, read a book on the porch swing, have school outside, clip early blooms, plant flowers for a summer cutting garden, listen to the birds, go for walks, breathe deep of fresh air, stay home and serve gracefully.



As I look for and watch for signs of life in nature around me - I feel something healing in myself and feeling new as well. A longing to cultivate beauty in my life and in the lives of those around me emerges again as a tender shoot that feels new yet familiar and also beckoning.

I confess that I haven't always enjoyed this time of year as I tend to dread the heat settling in but God is putting a new joy in my heart this Spring and I am eager to cultivate and embrace the emerging sprout in this.



Remembering the days of Make Your Home a Haven posts in the past and reminiscent of our Quieting Fall week two years ago - now I'm dreaming up eight days for us to embrace Spring.

It will be slower paced, focused on serving within my home and on cultivating time with the Lord. Won't you join me for eight days between now and Easter to slow down and relish the beauty in the days He's given?


For the next two weeks, I'll be posting four times per week about this with the exception of Slow Days which will continue as usual. Each day I'll share four things for your day: Scripture to start your day with, an idea for Serving Gracefully, a Beauty Seeking opportunity and a few moments of Slow.

Should be a lovely slowing time leading up to Easter celebrations!



PS: Updated to add that the tree is down and I can breathe easier now! Whew!


5 comments:

Lisa M. said...

I'll join you. Looking forward to it!

Wendi said...

I was thinking along those lines as I was lying in bed this morning. Life has been busy! Chuck has been working 60+ hour weeks and I feel like I have been on the go, go, go. Time to slow things, settle down and enjoy the journey. Both my heart and home could use a little TLC. Looking forward to this!

Mary Ann said...

This sounds lovely! I would love to join in as I can.

We found out this week that my husband will be starting 9 weeks of chemo soon with surgery following. Suddenly, our predictable schedule is packed with dr. appointments.

There is so much calling for my attention but I simply must slow as much as I can and focus on what really needs my attention. The rest can and will wait!

Thank you, Monica, for this place of peace and beauty!

Karen said...

I can't wait for your posts!

Jessica Knapp said...

SO looking forward to this! Thank you for serving us in this way...leading hearts, bodies, and minds to slow. I so appreciate you and the way you've impacted my life and in turn, my family. Thank you, dear friend!