This sunlight…
took my breath away.
I’m so glad I happened to step outside just then…
Has anything left you breathless lately?
Jennifer
Small Packages
Have you ever picked a cherry off a tree And paused to really look 
To notice color, deep and red Or pale stem’s gentle curve?
Then popped it in your waiting mouth, And felt the flavor burst 
As teeth chew ’round the cherry stone Then cast it to the earth.
And if it happens as the sun shines down on your face, 
Or if you share a second one Spreading the sweet taste, 
Realize you’ve experienced One of God’s small packages 
If you’ve even had but one, Then He has given much.
Hopeful Homemaker shared here
Pondering
In the middle of Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus Christ, placed between verses describing the experiences and reactions of the shepherds on that history-changing night, twelve words sum up Mary’s response. “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, King James Version) While Mary’s experience is undoubtedly singular, I believe that the experience of keeping things to ponder in our hearts is a common one for women.
I have found that each of my children, at times, enter new stages of growth which offer me a rich harvest of little things to ponder and marvel at. I do not speak of daydreams or hopes about how so-and-so will turn out, but about moments when I clearly glimpse the eternal soul inside the growing body and am awed by it. It happens at different stages with different children, but I’ve found that it is always a precious experience.
This little one is in such a stage now. With the big kids home for the summer, she visits me often during the day to get a hug, read a book, or spend time in the kitchen with me. I welcome these interruptions.
She followed me outside before church on Sunday when I tried to get some pictures of the baby. The baby wouldn’t cooperate, but I took a few of my toddler. No prompts, no poses. I just followed her with my camera for a few minutes.
She was so calm and serious, as if something was on her mind.
These pictures make me wonder what she was pondering, and remember all the conversations we’ve had together recently when she told me far more than a two year old usually can.
She is precious to me. I love her dearly.
Are you pondering one of your children right now? If so, take a minute and write it down… you’ll be glad you did!
Hopeful Homemaker