Slow

This moment is a gift of grace.

The SUN shining in from the front windows and playing shadows across me and the pillows.  The steam rising from my afternoon cup of tea and this,

    Sitting.
        RESTING.
           Slowing.
               Being.
                   Knowing that He is God.


Tirzah and I just returned from our afternoon around the neighborhood.  We discovered a new walking trail that just might be our new favorite, and I am slowly but most assuredly learning that each and every day in the Pacific Northwest, I must have my camera.  Beauty surrounds on all sides everywhere in the World when we have eyes to behold.  But I must say, the beauty is magnified here.  Perhaps it is because of the rain.

The rain.  Even in the shallow depths of our time here, the rain has poured.  The rain has trickled.  The rain has dripped for hours on end.  But oh.  Oh when the rain ceases and the sun breaks through and the droplets on the evergreens become golden pearls on Creation's limbs, oh how it steals the breath.

This is a gift.  The gems of Eternal Royalty worn on everyday limbs.


Yet another gift: the New Year's discussion that Daniel and I had together about our ideas, our hopes, and our dreams for this year of 2012.  To share a bit of our hearts with you (and to say our hearts were incredibly encouraged and stretched after spending time with Michael and Danae; their intentional lifestyle is contagious):


Gardening
     Learning to do it well
     Being close to the land
     Enjoying the fruit of our labor
     Great quality time together
     Enjoying organic produce

Living Intentionally
     Good stewardship of bodies, relationships, belongings, our World
     "Back to Basics": pursuing the everyday details of life such as making our own soap, making our own household cleaner, washing dishes by hand, composting, etc.
      Being Present in the moment
      Slow


If I may, I would love to share more about each of these aspects on this blog.  A big question Daniel and I are asking this year is : Why?  Why do we do the things we do?  Why would we choose to make our own versus just buying the generic?  We desire not only to slow and enter into life more fully through the way we live, but we also want to explore and ask questions and sink our family's roots down deep.  May this be an informal introduction to posts that give a greater glimpse into the rhythms of the Shear Family.
     
   

And may this day find all of us slowing and exhaling deepest praise for life's golden pearls.