31_Curated Contemplations
Come, compile with me the considerations of calendar week 21...
I am starting something new.
Or perhaps, I'm simply starting to better organize what I have been doing all along.
From the beginning, Adventures and Academia has been about recording God's faithfulness in a life made of little learning moments. The writing of these reflections is meant to fit into the margins of my life - the moments when no one else needs me and I don't want to succumb to scrolling social media.
Substack, the platform that makes it possible for me to share these thoughts with you via email, also has a "Notes" feature that allows writers to share shorter pieces. I often write there, as it fits well with my margins method.
However, I don't expect you to be on yet another form of social media, anxiously awaiting every word that pops into my mind while the children are sleeping.
This something new is a weekly compilation of the notes I've written, inviting you see God's faithfulness in the details of daily life.
If you happen to have faithfully read along over on Substack Notes this week, I also included a few new pictures and ponderings just for you.
Today, I learned that an exceptional way to use up recently expired Greek yogurt is to bake brownies.
My kiddoes joined me in the kitchen to measure and mix the ingredients. Their favorite tasks were, of course, sampling the chocolate chips and licking the batter.
Instead of granulated sugar, we added a large spoon of honey. Next time, we will likely leave out the sweetener entirely, as the chocolate adds enough sweetness. These brownies are fudgy and delicious - we enjoyed them warm right out of the oven.
I praise God for the chance to make these sweet memories with my family.
On our morning adventure walks, I am always looking for garden inspiration from my neighbors. There were many beautiful blossoms to appreciate this morning, but the plants that struck me most were not the ones tucked into tidy beds; they were the ones fighting their way through the sidewalk cracks. They brought beauty to a place where I least expected to find it.
Do I also bring aspects of God's beauty to the unexpected spaces? In the midst of toddler tantrums, do I begin singing Psalms, or do my reactions add to the ugliness of the situation?
How do these resilient columbines encourage you to bring beauty into brokenness?
Grief is strange.
One moment, everything is fine.
The next moment, you're trying to get dressed, and as you pull your favorite green dress with buttons and pockets over your head, you remember: The last time I wore this dress was when the doctor told me she couldn't find my baby's heartbeat.
Suddenly, ten dead baby spiders fall out of the dress because it dried outside in the sunshine, and a mama spider must have laid her eggs on your dress. Then, they hatched, and the babies died when they couldn't find food in your dress.
Now you have a dead baby dress, but you wear it anyway (after giving it a good shake) because it has buttons and pockets.
But it won't ever be your favorite green dress again.
Today, I found The perfect place to pray And ponder poetry While the children play.
I highly recommend hand lettering Bible verses. By the time you finish an acceptable copy, you will have the verse memorized.
This line is part of Matthew 6:33, but it is also part of a beautiful song I heard today: “Wildflowers (Seek Ye First)” by Olivia Lane.
My unborn baby had 3 months.
My youngest brother had 4.5 years.
My grandfather had 98 years.
Each life was but a breath in light of eternity, yet each life had a profound impact on my own.
How many hours, days, or years do you or I have left to be a light for another soul?
Only God knows.
Let us strive to use our next seconds well and to love those right front of us with all we have, for there is no guarantee of a tomorrow together.
Teach us to
number our days carefully
so that we may
develop wisdom in our hearts.
Psalm 90:12
I can't resist Dianthus. Their beautiful colors and lovely scent draw me in every time. Over 300 species of this flowering plant proclaim God's creativity.
This spring, I've already purchased them as plants and seeds for my garden and window boxes.
Today, I bought six more plants.
A few flower heads fell off as I moved them, and my children collected the fallen blossoms as a gift for me.
“Ahhh, my favorite flowers,” I gushed earnestly as I dipped my nose into the bright blossoms before tucking them into my braid.
This is the life for which I have prayed.
There is such comfort in knowing that Christ carried my condemnation, that He intercedes for me, and that nothing can separate me from His love.
The same is true for you, if, as it states in Romans 10:9, you've confessed with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.
Who is the one who condemns?
Christ Jesus is the one who died,
but even more, has been raised;
he also is at the right hand of God
and intercedes for us.
Who can separate us
from the love of Christ?
Can affliction
or distress or persecution
or famine or nakedness
or danger or sword?
Romans 8:34-35Today, I learned that there are about 42 species and 15 hybrids of Mentha, with hundreds of subspecies and cultivars.
In every garden I have ever had, I have always had a patch of mint. Even when I didn’t have a garden, I kept a pot of the herb on my windowsill.
My current mint plant grew from a section my mother-in-law gave me from her own mint patch, so I don't even know exactly which species I have. It tastes delicious, though. We enjoy eating it straight from the plant or adding handfuls to refreshing summer drinks.
Today, we harvested the first bundle of the season and hung it to dry, so we can make mugs of warm tea on cooler days.
Birthday season is about to begin in our home.
Almost four years ago, I became a mama for the first time.
How has my tiny, helpless baby grown into my big helper in such a short time?
I pray that God helps my little man continue to grow in his desire to serve others and in his curiosity about all of creation. Most importantly, may he accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior, walking in close relationship with Him all the days of his life.
A Sunday stroll is so good for the soul.
Take the time today to step outside. Lift your eyes from the everyday cares and fix them upon the eternal One. Linger a little while in the beautiful results of His creativity.
Here are some snapshots from my own afternoon stroll. Enjoy the gorgeous German countryside, dotted with yarrow, poppy, chamomile, meadow sage, and a rainbow of snails.
I love writing and receiving handwritten letters. I don't have as much time on my hands these days to write nine-page letters, but here is a little handwritten note to send you into the new week.
Thank you for being my guest. In God's word you will find rest; Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚