Author Archive: Julia
Unknown blessings
“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” — Native American Saying I wish I could always have as much hope as our dog has when he smells food being prepared. Although he’s an expert beggar, he is successful relatively rarely because we watch his diet carefully. Still, he never stops trying, and alway seems grateful …
An untroubled spirit
“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.” —Marcus Aurelius I’ve always admired my husband’s stoic nature, even as I get frustrated and impatient when he seems unable to share my highs and lows. In the face of his …
Pleasure in the pathless woods
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more…” —Lord Byron There’s something very calming about nature that neutralizes the toxic overload of a …
If only we tune in
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. –George Washington Carver How can we make the time to “tune in” today and experience God’s love through creation? Can we really afford NOT to?
Even in darkness
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” Psalm 112:4 This photo is posted in gratitude for the ongoing prayers of so many who are following this blog, and in tribute to my beloved husband who is facing grave illness with faith, courage and strength.
Beyond all reason
“God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason.” – Dag Hammarskjold
Something in the autumn
There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood — Touch of manner, hint of mood; And my heart is like a rhyme, With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time. — Bliss Carman Autumn reminds us of the brevity of life as the lush blossoms of summer fade …
Little advantages
“Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.” — Benjamin Franklin Just as it’s often the minor irritations that distract us and wear us down, so too the power of small blessings can transform our lives. The trick is becoming aware …
Promises to keep and miles to go
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep…” — Robert Frost It’s tempting to be drawn into our own ruminations. Trouble can be an isolating experience, and solitude is a seductive force, both healing and dangerous. If we withdraw too long or too …
How the light gets in
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in. — Leonard Cohen
If you can…
Lines from one of my favorite poems, If by Rudyard Kipling: If you can dream – and not make dreams your master; If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to …
Defeat Despair 