Life's Little Treasures

Have you ever had just a very little something happen in your life that really made you overwhelmingly happy? This has happened to me a lot in my life and a lot lately.

For example, my friend, Aeriole, is living in England on an amazing adventure, and I have been following her blog. However, she had not blogged in so long, I was really missing hearing from her. I told her I was having withdrawals, and she wrote a new blog titled, "This is For Michelle". The blog was just about her daily life, but it made me smile from ear to ear...to think that she was thinking of me and wanted to please me...a little treasure.

A couple of weeks ago, I took my kids to McDonald's for supper, and I had looked forward to having a Dr. Pepper when we got there. I got a medium, only drank a few sips, and when we left, I dumped the tray...with my cup still on it. I was so bummed about that. The next day, my husband brought me flowers (my favorite ones!) and a large can of Dr. Pepper. Another little treasure.

I have an AMAZING Secret Pal this time at school who continues to bless the socks off of me with gifts both large and small. What a treasure.

Sometimes when our world becomes so busy, so hectic, so stressful, it's nice to remember others and give them a reason to smile and feel special that day. Little treasures. My favorite is writing hand-written notes of encouragement to people. I always thought it was easy for everyone to write these. But a while back, I was with a friend who was trying to write one, and it was quite hard for her. I had no idea this would ever be hard for anyone. I feel it's almost a gifting to be able to do that. Some people are great leaders, some are great orators, some quietly show greatness by using skills God has given them. We should find out how we are wired to bless others and use that skill to glorify God. I need to write more to people. I want to bless others with little treasures, too.

Glory

So, I wrote a poem today. At school we are gearing up for a Spring production of "The Glory of God", and the kids will be writing essays, poems and stories describing the glory of God. I wanted to give an example of slam poetry, so I wrote one. Here it is:

Glory
By Michelle Jamison

Is our world so dim
So dark, so foul
That no goodness can be found?

I see hurting people
Babies neglected
Unemployment soaring
Divorced couples on the edge...
Of something.

Is it despair?

Is there nothing good to behold?

Is this world hopeless?

Or can I look beyond the darkness
To find light?
To find goodness?
To find...glory?

What is glory?

Something that brings honor
Praise
Renown
But to whom?
Glory brings honor to the one and
only God.
Life eternal
Giver of all good things.

Where is glory?

I DO see glory all around me
Surrounding me
Even when I refuse to look.

A baby's toes,
A heart that grows
More in love everyday.
The orange of a sunset,
The delicateness of a flower,
Even the death of trees in autumn.

In these I see the glory of God

The laughter of children
The beauty of a song
Never heard but newly written
The softness of snow
Close conversations with a friend
Also the warmth of knowing I am
loved.

In these I see the glory of God

Glory transforms darkness
Glory brings light
Hope
Newness

Glory is found among us
If we will just look.

The real gift

Christmas has always been such a happy holiday to me...the wonder of it all...Jesus...born so long ago in such terrible conditions. A murderous plot, Mary and Joseph traveling so far for government business, no room for them so they must go to a stable and birth a baby among dirty animals, smells, no accommodations; UNCOMFORTABLE. The wise men finding more than they ever realized they were searching for...they come in worship and find their lives changing forever. The shepherds being counted as worthy to go see the newborn Messiah. What a beautiful love story God has given us to ponder on all year and be amazed by our whole lives. Happy birthday, Jesus! The real gift IS You!

I know some people are not so happy during the holiday season. Memories too painful crowd out the joy of the season. Some so lonely they cannot bear to try to find joy. I pray that those thoughts never have to invade my mind. I pray that even as life deals blows (which it will), that I will always keep in mind the real joy I have in Jesus. It IS during these times that I miss my Granny so much. She loved making Christmas special for the grandkids. Her last Christmas she spent apologizing for not making it very special because she was in the hospital. I hope she is celebrating this Christmas with Jesus and that each Christmas she finds more and more joy in Him as He reveals more of Himself to her.

Merry Christmas!

Hello, Joy!

This is for my friend, Joy, who I believe is the only one who reads this. Thanks for your friendship over the years, and I thank God for you. Thank you that we can be real with each other without getting offended, and I pray you have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! You are very special to me!

Poem

Read this poem today, and I really liked it.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.



from And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

Funny kids

Today at lunch, I was teasing Sammy because he was coming to the table very carefully with a steak knife. Shelden wanted him to pass it to her so she could set it by his plate before he walked behind her for fear of him stabbing her accidentally. I told him, "After all, your Indian name is Runs With Knives." Shelden looked at me in shocked surprise and said, "Is it really?" I cracked up! Of course, I had to tell her that if she looks up "gullible" in the dictionary there is a picture of her next to it.

Later this afternoon Dennis and the kids were playing the Wii, and Molly (being in her own world most of the time) was looking at Easter eggs and candy and said, "Twix doesn't fit in Eater eggs." We burst out laughing again. Thanks for the warning, Molly.

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