“Like Steven Chase says, “absence sharpens our seeking: it sets the tone and temper of our attentiveness.” God in the Yard (chapter 7)
I have been absent from the yard.
The holidays, my daughter’s surgery and hospitalization, and caring for my grandgirls during her recovery have messed with my schedule and self-time.
Oh, I’ve made brief forays to fill the feeders, get the mail, take out the trash, and wander around a bit.
But mostly I’ve gazed out from in.
There’s been a dormancy midst the busyness.
An imposed separation.
A hibernation of sorts.
Sleeping while awake.
I miss His presence in the yard.
It seems colder. I haven’t able to get truly warm in spite of inching up the thermostat.
And I think I’m eating more.
Like the birds.
The girls and the cats and I scurry from window to window to watch them.
It’s time to replenish the seed.
I slide down the glassy drive, mindful of the fact that Dennis fell the other night.
He worried more about his suit pants.
I worry about breaking another bone.
I walk back and forth on top of snow that crunches under my feet like crushed peanut shells at the Texas Roadhouse.
It’s too cold to breathe through my nose, and my teeth ache as the air flows past. My fingers fumble with the feeders.
Dried plumes bow frozen. Some shrubs stand stark while others peek from under their quilts or try to creep under the porch. Shadow branches dance, and the sun crawls behind a blanket of clouds, hiding its presence, as if too cold to shine.
The world has gone cold and dormant for a season. Winter is needful for the new birth of spring and the fullness of summer.
“Cycles in nature provide healthy rhythms of presence and absence that, overall, add up to fertility and perpetuation, ongoing presence.” ~God in the Yard
The disciples had to experience Jesus’ absence in order for them (and us) to experience His ongoing presence.
“Lord, let me learn the rhythms of presence, which may include seasons of absence. Let me not be afraid, but remember that you and I are always together, even when it seems we are apart.” ~God in the Yard
Today, in the yard, in the cold, I found presents, gifts of His presence. Waiting for me.
L.L. shares a story from Billy Coffey about “two people who considered every red light a perfect excuse to kiss.”
“To experience presence, the first requirement is to show up. We aren’t going to get kissed in the car if we spend all our days puttering in the garage. The second requirement in experiencing presence is to provide moments to breathe.” ~God in the Yard
Today I showed up and braked long enough to look and to see, to breathe in Him (albeit through frozen teeth) and pay attention to His gifts.
I stopped long enough to let Him kiss me.
I experienced His presence.
Praying that you will take time to brake and breathe long enough this weekend to experience His presence.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ~Psalm 139:7-9
Linking this post to Peter Pollock’s Blog Carnival on Winter.
Hey, sweetie! I love that…I stopped long enough to let Him kiss me! Awesome! Hope your daughter is feeling better. Blessings of rest to you all!
She still has some discomfort and fatigue. But better day by day! Hugs and kisses to you. š
Sandy,
I look out of my window and see some of the same things & praise God for creating all of this to enjoy. I look & see, but you have the amazing gift of being able to describe it so well with words and pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Sara
š Thanks, Sara. Praying for you–all the way across the road.
This is absolutely a beautiful read. Too many phrases to re-quote. I’m going to bookmark this one to keep reading this weekend. Love it!
Thanks so much, Scott. You encourage me and help me stay strong! š
“grown cold and dormant”
and yet a kiss waits …
I’m glad His kisses never grow old or cold.
Praying that you feel those kisses, enfolding you, upholding you, sweet nourishment for the journey!
Praying the same for you, Karin.
This was so sweet, so tender.
Are you loving winter yet? There is a pristine quality to the air-empty-of-moisture, to coldness that we otherwise don’t like… but if we sit and ponder, it can brace and wake us.
Overall, just lovely, Sandra. š
Thanks, L.L. I’m not fretting over the missed time, and I will soon return. Even had hubby keep a lawn chair out for snow sitting. š
Oh what a beautiful post. I think I need to “show up,” too. Many times life puts us in this postion but I don’t think I’ll ever find myself there without remembering that God’s kisses are waiting for me.
Thank you, Pamela. I love that you showed up in this space today.
Those special moments are only seen when we take time for them, but it seems like so few people bother to do so. I love wandering our place, getting glimpses of winter’s slumber, promises of coming new life, as the season glides through its chilly days. I do love your phrase, “learn the rhythms of presence, which may include seasons of absence.”
Taking “time to brake and breathe” this weekend and experience his presence.
I loved so much of this post, but I think I love this the most:
The disciples had to experience Jesusā absence in order for them (and us) to experience His ongoing presence.
So very true.
I felt the blessing. I shared it. Thank you.
Taking time to brake and breathe.
I am reminded of the verse in Psalms 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.