Grace Category: "Good Thing You're So Cute"

"It's a glory to overlook an offense."

Proverbs 19:11

 I'll pre-empt this post by stating up front that I do know some folks will say I'm only reaping the results of my own foolishness.  Probably true.

Yet it's also true that our sweet interactions with the chipmunks, over many, many summers, have by far brought more joy than problems in the way these things usually balance out.  

Mostly they are polite, friendly but not aggressive, and keep me company on the deck as I work or read.  It's almost like having a pet, but you don't have to clean out the cage.  And up until now, they have left my deck decor alone. 

I mean, come on.  Just look at that sweet little face!  And their teeny bums bouncing down the stairs once they've stuffed their cheeks full of as much peanut as they can possibly, which is also so much fun to watch.  

This year we have two very young ones in the mix, notably smaller than the others, a little unsteady on their feet even, legs falling down the cracks of the deck boards.  They haven't had enough practice yet stretching out their cheek pockets to be able to put the smallest of peanuts in there, even when that's what they are specifically handed.  They try but, nope.  Oh my.  Adorableness overload.

And.

My flowers!!!

They are eating the blossoms of my rock trumpets!!!  This has not happened before, ever!  This is my one go-to blooming plant because it usually does so well out on my deck.  Very hearty, and attracts the humming birds.  I have had no problems with anyone nibbling on these any other year.  

But when we got back from our four days away, all the colour was gone.  Before we left, I had had to shoo away a chipmunk or two from snacking on the smaller buds.  So, even though I have no photographic evidence, no eye-witnesses, I'm afraid it's my sweet chipmunks, my little forest friends on the deck, the ones I pay money to buy peanuts for...those ones...they are the prime suspects here.  

Sigh.

Nobody's perfect, I guess.  Even the sweet cute ones among us.  Whom, foolishly, or forgivingly, either one, I still provide with peanuts.  

I had to bring the plants inside to see if they can be salvaged at all.  Oy!!!  Not cool.  So, yes, my fine forest friends....it's a good thing you're so cute.

What this brings to mind, in it's own odd kind of way, are the complexities of community.  

True that while I am here, I live somewhat in isolation.  Being on an island is good for that.  True that I am basically wired as an introvert, and the solitude that might drive others crazy is very much part of the charm for me.  

Still, I am very well aware of the richness of my relational life, and cherish the various and wonderful humans that populate it.  

But don't we all sort of, sometimes, often, tend to nibble on the blooms?  

The complex and irritating annoyances we sometimes inflict on each other, either out of instinct or ignorance, or sometimes on purpose.  The ways we seem to repay generosity by taking more than we're offered.  The ways we can help ourselves to what's not really ours, or steal the colour from someone's deck without realizing it, or maybe on purpose.  The ways we can behave according to how we're wired and not even realize how it's affecting anyone else.

And sure, I could stop with the peanuts and get out a spray bottle and do everything I can to discourage and frighten away all my little friends.  I could claim the deck for myself and my flowers, and how dare any encroach on my space.   Or even better, I could just stay inside.

But the deck is inviting, and lovely, and fresh, and wide open.  Lots of life - not just chipmunks come to visit - happens out there, which enriches mine.  

A needful caveat here.  Some actions between humans cause intense damage requiring severe consequences.  Sometimes people make themselves dangerous.  Even Paul, a huge proponent of grace and forgiveness in community, knew that there were times when it was right to draw lines in the sand (eg. Romans 16:17).  And even in lesser but significant moments of navigating interpersonal conflict, boundaries are important.  Difficult conversations need to be had.  Self advocacy is an essential skill. Honesty builds bridges. 

Still, in the day to day ways we can bump into one another, in the little things, even the repeated things, even the really annoying things, I wonder how much gentler and generally happier our lives might be if more times than not we just might simply shake our heads a little, give a good sigh, move the plants indoors, and say, "It's a good thing you're so cute."

And really, while I'm thinking about it, I find I'm so very glad for all the people who all the time do the same for me.

So we'll see if I can revive the rock trumpets.  I'll keep you posted.

When All of a Sudden...

I come around the point and I ambushed.

Oh my God!

A glimpse of it.

Of glory.

Your glory.

Of Heaven maybe.

Of Your will being done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

All glorious and right and as it should be.

And I sit here in the quiet as it screams across the sky.

Holy, holy, holy!

“If anyone is to love God 

and have his or her life filled with that love, 

God in his glorious reality 

must be brought before the mind 

and kept there in such a way 

that the mind takes root 

and stays fixed there."

Dallas Willard

"And all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions

eclipsed by glory,

and I realize just how beautiful You are

and how great Your affections are for me."

David Crowder

"For our light and momentary afflictions

are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all."

2 Corinthians 4:17

A "Jing Jing" Monday Morning Blessing

Woke up a little too late to catch whatever still waters might have greeted the sunrise.  By the time I was awake it was breezy enough in our own little part of the channel to make it wiser to wait for sunset, or maybe even tomorrow morning if I was going to be okay going across the more open water.  Other more hearty kayakers might not be concerned, but I know my limits.

Never mind.  I am grateful for the breeze in these crazy heatwave days that have more or less launched us full on into summer.  A great day to do the laundry, and two loads are on the line already.  Things could be dry before lunch.  It's happened.

I am, of course, now stationed out on the deck, fully into a different kind of work week, my list long with the good tasks before me.  I am joined here by no less than four chipmunks (so far) who are quickly finding all my hidden peanuts, and coming up close to look me straight in the eye and dare me to deny them more.  Another happy distraction is a rather large turtle out sunning himself on the shoal.  My guess is his shell is a full dinner plate in diameter.  He seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself.  

It was good to be back with people and getting things done in the city last week.  It's good to be back here getting different kinds of things done now.  This is sort of "Phase Two" of our cottage season this year.  Two weeks before family time, which is its own thing altogether.  

For now, let the quiet concentration begin!

And a Monday morning blessing to begin your "work week," whatever that looks like for you.

Note the poetic repetition for the sake of emphasis, as in 'indeed," or in Thai "jing jing!"

"May the favour of the LORD our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands --

yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

Just In Time

 

"LORD, teach us to number our days

so we may apply our hearts to wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

It already feels a little too hot and the day has yet to rise to it's predicted heat potential.  

The heatwave forecast over the next few days is already upon us, as Ken and I make our way back to the Bay later this afternoon.  

First, worship with our peeps at Highview.  Oh so glad that this time back in the city can include this!

Then, home for a quick lunch, pack the coolers, and then on the road.

By tonight I'll be all settled down on the boat with my journal and a cup of iced tea.

Just in time.

This will begin a longer cottage stint, with two weeks just Ken and I and a whole lot of cottage projects to get to in around our not-yet-retired work status.  Then two weeks of family.  And after that more comings and goings, but no city visit again until the end of July.  

We're doing it.  This plan of here and there we've imagined for decades now, unfolding in this time and space in ways more or less as we hoped for, with just a few unforeseen but manageable variables thrown in to keep us suitably humble and on our toes.  

I take nothing for granted.  Especially now, right now, right here in this era of our lives where good health and strength are largely still our blessing, but reason and reality bring pause.  These days are fully embraced, absorbed wholly, appreciated deeply and intentionally.   Because we're here, now, and it's summer and we can go back and forth freely, and there are no end of good and wonderful things to do and be right now.

Just in time.

Time for this.  Time for now.

Oh Friday!

 

As anticipated, the week has been 'robust.'  

The contrast between the cottage calm of not having anywhere else to be for an extended fourteen days, and the city chaos of fitting in twelve 'appointments' in four and a half days could not be more sharply defined.  And since one of those 'appointments' was for two recommended-for-my-age-group vaccines, by yesterday I was feeling rather whooped.  In the fog and frenzy I even double booked myself and failed to communicate my absence to one of the parties, which caused some concern, and did not feel good at all.  

'All the bookings' are of my own doing, needful and productive, and largely (needles notwithstanding) highly enjoyable.  Also, I find it important to stay mindful of who I am and how I respond when things are more demanding.  It can provide insights to explore and be shaped by.

Still.  I woke up this morning glad for Friday and glad that this robust week is winding down just a bit.

Soon enough I can be back to where a state of calm focus can produce good and thoughtful work, where there can be more emphasis on input than output for a bit, and where I can focus my energies on what is important but not urgent.  

Meanwhile, a sunrise walk helps reset perspectives.  

Yes, even in the city.  

And for this I am new-mercies grateful.  

Lovely Liftings

Flashback to June 8.

Another fun thing about coming home when you've been away for your birthday, is that you get to open some special mail and feel celebrated all over again.  (And I have it on good account there's even another one waiting for me at the church!)

As well as all the lovely greetings via texts, emails and also on line -- for which I am grateful to social media for making remembering everyone's birthday so happy and simple and easy -- I actually did receive quite a few 'real' cards this year, only some of which are shown in this picture.  The others are still at the cottage where I also put them on display the day of.

Birthdays are good for this, for eating cake and being remembered and encouraged.  But I honestly believe we should be smattering love and lifted spirits and encouragement around to all kinds of people every single day.  And we have so many ways to do that now!  It's so easy.

There's a lot going on in our world right now that deeply troubles many, many souls.  In fact, I think we would all be hard pressed to find someone not worried about the economy, distressed about politics, anxious for marginalized people, wondering about the future.  Everyone in our orbits, birthday or not, could use a little lovely lifting.

Simple instructions from Paul again, this time to the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:11):

Encourage one another, and build each other up.

Maybe that's the way we can tell if the day was a success or not.  If we did that for at least one other person.

So thanks so much, everyone, for all the birthday greetings, and all the ways you continue to inspire me and encourage me and help me in my becomings.

Backyard Becomings and Long Haul Learnings

 

The New#2 Shed

If you have to leave the beauty of Georgian Bay, it's a very good bonus to come back to this.  

Over the past two weeks while we've been gone, our landscapers have begun the first phases of what will be a two or three season plan.  Shout out to Wildlife Gardening www.WildlifeGardening.ca. for their design, knowledge, careful listening to our ideas, and plain old grunt work in creating the unique spaces and natural look we were hoping for.

Before

Now

(To the left of the pail we will build up the grade for a ramp that will be level with our front door.)

Before

Now

(Behind the red umbrella there will be a fence to separate our yard from the neighbours'.

Can you see the massive rhubarb plant right at the bottom?)

The beginnings of the ground cover that will fill in the spaces.

A 'rain garden' is also in the plan for this year, and I can't wait to see how that not only makes best use of the downspouts and general water flow over the property, but how it adds to the overall look as well.

Also this year is the laying of patio stones to finish off the hoped for eating area, and leveling off  and expanding the driveway.

Another shout out to "Shed in a Day" who lived up to their name and had this built and ready in under two and a half hours yesterday.  Literally, there was nothing there in that space when they arrived.

Now for the fun of sorting and rearranging the contents of the old shed (which Ken and I will inherit by virtue of proximity), and storing the common tools etc. in the most convenient spaces.

Existing#1 Shed

Development of this space, into a private outdoor place to sit and relax, 

is scheduled for next season.

Can't help but consider where I was at emotionally last year at this time, particularly when it comes to the whole process of 're-nesting' that we've done over the past, well, two or three years actually.  

Last June we had just signed back on the offer and were working towards the July 18 closing date.  It was all about uprooting and leaving.  And oh, let's throw in a ruptured appendix at this point, just for fun.

This year we are settling and planting again, and breathing again.  I can hardly express how good it is to be where we are now.  How 'normal' it feels.  How, frankly, relieved I am.

Because in between there was a lot of letting go, of not knowing, and of white knuckle faith that we were doing the right thing and that we would find ourselves 'at home' again.

And here we are.

Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

The LORD will fulfill His purposes for me.

Your love, O LORD, endures forever --

do not abandon the works of Your hands.