Today's Quiddity

One of my favorite sections from one of my favorite books is called "The Man Who Taught Me to See." I just read it again recently and wanted to share the goodness here:

"Someone introduced me to [C.S.] Lewis my freshman year...for the next five or six years I was almost never without a Lewis book at hand. I think that without his influence I would not have lived my life with as much joy or usefulness as I have. There are reasons for this...

Lewis gave me an intense sense of the "realness" of things. The preciousness of this is hard to communicate. To wake up in the morning and be aware of the firmness of the mattress, the warmth of the sun's rays, the sound of the clock ticking, the sheer being of things ("quiddity" as he calls it). He helped me become alive to life ... he made me more alive to beauty (19). "
-Dr. John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

Isn't that great?

Today I thought about the quiddity of things as I was at school, outside, and at home... and I was thankful for Lewis, and for Piper, and for the awareness of "things that, if we didn't have, we would pay a million dollars to have, but having them, ignore (20).

So, here's the "quiddity" that made me close my eyes and give thanks today...


- community

- unexpected conversations

- a sunny afternoon, worn-in running shoes, and panting dogs on leashes.

- thoughtful, inspiring Art - in particular, Once (thanks, LB!)

- The smell of dinner on the grill


What's yours been today?

a good nap

Turk's idea of a good nap = soft carpet, warm sun, a little drool...

My idea of a good nap = curling up next to said dog, soft carpet, warm sun, a little drool...

Contentment.

Can any of you relate to this quote?

"What controls your heart controls your behavior. Once that treasure is in possession of your heart, it will set the agenda for your words and decisions, for your actions, reactions, and responses. . . ."

I certainly can, and I share it here because I'm sure that everyone can relate in some way. I also share it because I have been reminded recently of how true this principle really is, and I've been challenged to examine my "treasures".


Brad and I just completed some updates to our house, things that we have been wanting to do since we moved in a year and a half ago. It's very nice to have some new things, but we've realized through the process that one new thing often leads to wanting another new thing.

I realized my unfortunate agenda yesterday when Brad and I received an unexpected check in the mail, to which my first reaction was "oh, now we can get ..."!

After a minute or two of talking about prices, Brad and I both just looked at each other, like "what are we thinking?!"

I wasn't even thankful. I just wanted more.

Have you found that sometimes buying just leads to more discontentment? What are your ways for remaining content?

Here are some things I've found to be helpful. Yesterday I was definitely doing a few of these things, and I was left feeling sad about my attitude and thankful for all the ways in which we're already very blessed.


- reminding myself of what the Lord thinks of greed (Col 3:5), and praying for a healthy perspective.

- talking to and trusting the judgment of the hubby, who is very reasonable about "things"

- surrounding myself with people who don't focus on material things. Not that they don't have nice things, but it's not the focus of conversation or of time together. I am very grateful to our church and to academics for friends like this.

- limiting time spent in stores, on websites, and around people who I know from experience will leave me feeling unhappy and wanting more.

- waiting before buying. It's much more rewarding to save up for something than to buy it on impulse and regret it later. I've learned this the hard way.

- purposefully enjoying something free! a good run, a book already on my shelf, time with friends, my dogs, etc.



I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this...

a free day

Today I had a big deadline at 12:30. I'd been working long hours in preparation, and now it's over. Done. Fini.

As I was walking away at 12:30, all I could think about is I wanted to do the rest of the day: clean, exercise, pray, read, feel the sun on my face.

If you had a totally "free" day all to yourself (no work, no kids, no responsibilities, no meetings, no schedule), what would you do?

p.s. I posted this picture because it reminds me of summer. We're almost there, I keep telling myself.

Making Biscuits

This week the hubby is in California, and the dogs are with grandma and grandpa. So, us girls have been holding down the fort.

Sport is a different cat with the dogs gone. She rolls around in the middle of the floor; she lounges on the couch; she purrs for no reason; and she makes biscuits constantly.

Anyway, here are some pictures from girls week. As of tomorrow, our place will once again be overrun with loud, rough, slobbery boys.

My prayer.

The beach was wonderful - the friends, the sun, the food, and the rest.

But, now we are back to work and I feel the pressure of all that is ahead. Tonight as I was driving home, my shoulders were aching and my head pounding from stress. But I felt a whisper, a subtle reminder to refocus on what's important and to be thankful.

Just to be thankful.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" Col 3:15

This is my prayer tonight.

Sand, Hamburgers, and Seagulls

Today we're headed off to Little Talbot Island with some friends to go camping.

I can already feel the sand between my toes, smell the hamburgers, and hear the seagulls.

What's your favorite place for getting away? And, what do you smell or hear when you think of that place?

Pick-a-little-Talk-a-little

I need bigger earphones, or another table. Two unhappy middle-aged women to my left are screeching, squawking on about some friend's son's wife's sister.

"kids these days" one just said.

pick-a-little-talk-a-little-pick-a-little-talk-a-little.

Why are some women so prone to talk talk talk, to degrade “friends” and to encourage each other to hate their enemies?

Please lord let us be people who aim to “guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride” by clearing our minds and holding our tongues.

Now they're talking politics. Really... somebody shoot me.

A Florida Sunset

An extra hour of sun. Ribs on the grill. A chill in the air. Sweatpants. Furry playmates.

A Florida sunset.

Good day.

Today has been a good day.

The rain finally broke.
The sun came out.
The puddles were bigger than ever.
A new friend joined us.

header help

I'm trying to give my blog a facelift, and I need your advice. Which header picture do you like better? I realize that both of them are a little up-close-and-personal, but until I can find something better, what do you think...?

blog change...

As you can see, I'm changing my blog around a little today. One of the main things I enjoy about blogs is seeing pictures of people and their lives; however, the pictures are always so small on blogger.

So, I've changed things around so the pictures can be bigger and the writing can be smaller!

I really like this picture of a seagull about to fly away. I took it at the beach a few weeks ago, when I spent the weekend with my sweet mama. Notice the birds in the background, too... one is looking at me, and one is looking at his friend.

Arrested ...

This picture makes me laugh inside.

For those Arrested Development fans who read this blog, I'd like to know if something (or someone?) strikes you as unusual in this picture.




Which actor do you think contributes the most to this show? Brad and I just had this discussion and had a hard time coming up with an answer...

Panting in the Sun

My little boy, enjoying the clear blue spring skies.

Spring.

Today is a sunny 73-degree Sunday in Gainesville, and the college students are all walking around in flip flops and tank tops, with swimsuit ties showing at the neckline.

Three days ago we were wearing wool sweaters and closed-toed shoes, heaven forbid. So, this weather is very welcomed.

The sunny beginning of Spring always reminds me of Aprils in Auburn, when we used to lay in the quad or in the white house yard all day, running off to a class five minutes before it started, and running back to lay out as soon as it was over.

What's your best memory of spring? Is it spring yet where you are?