Musings

Returning to the Tangible

June 6, 2012

Come Sit with Me

I need less information. Less choices. Less static. I live in a state of distraction these days. I want to hold a book in my hands, or just sit and listen to the birds that gather in the oak in my front yard. I want to sit across from a friend and have a real face to face conversation. Texting and email are wonderful tools, but they cannot hold a candle to the tone in a friend’s voice.

I need the tangible.

I want to touch, taste and see life, not just experience it through a computer screen. Maybe I will return to my childhood and sit in a few mud puddles again, or just walk in the rain like I did when I fell in love.

Let it Rain

I want to return to the simple things this summer. This is much more difficult than it sounds. It means putting my smart phone away for periods of time, and disciplining  myself to spend less time on the computer. I need to sit quietly, or work with my hands in the garden.  I must make appointments with the people I value and be present with them when we are together. I will write more letters and cards, hopefully relaxing my hand enough to write legibly again.

Relishing the Simple

I want to relish the simple and exquisite gifts God gives me daily. He blows them like kisses at my feet; the breeze that makes the chimes sing, the lilting laughter of my children, the flowers that stretch painted petals to the sky in worship.  How can I trample  over them one more day in this state of distraction? May the Lord forgive me. I have transgressed by not truly being present, taking His generosity for granted. I must take action.

Exquisite

Starting now.

I pray you can find peace in the tangible today too. God is near.

Ephesians 3:16-19 ~” I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

God is Near

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9 Comments

  • Reply Mama June 6, 2012 at 5:36 am

    How wonderful are your words. It is so true. Being with you yesterday was much better than a text and you were present. I hope I gave you my full attention as well. Keep writing my sweet!

  • Reply mutating missionary June 6, 2012 at 5:51 am

    As I struggle with the same decisions – I sing a song of praise to the God who IS! He alone is worthy. I cut back face book time, and blog reading time to just a few minutes a day. I have been encouraged to get a smart phone/iphone – but living in Germany it is so expensive – and I see my friends being so tied to them… I have stuck with my old clunker phone. A year ago, I would not have said this. But now, I am thankful for that decision.

    I am enjoying some fresh air again here in Germany. Asl well as, long prayer walks in the vineyards, great reading/contemplation time while sitting in a coffee shop for a long leisurely Milchkaffee, and isiting for hours over a delightfully delicious cheap Flammkuchen! The slower pace here soothes me. Mentoring women in their homes or my own. Yes, the 2 months my computer internet didn’t work got me to thinking about this.

    I will pray for you to seek and find balance within the confines of a fallen technologically forward world.
    your words delight me, and spur me on to my own writing of my own thoughts –
    thank you for your sacrificing yourself before us: the reading public.

  • Reply mom June 6, 2012 at 11:55 am

    This is so beautiful and so true. May God draw you to Himself to find that quietness and peace that only He can give. I love your words and your pictures. They turn me toward God in a hurried day. Love you.

  • Reply Mike June 6, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Your photography is so breathtaking! I can’t wait to see what else I discover. I bet some of these would look great as a wall mural.

    Have you tried that making custom wallpaper before?

    • Reply maryanne June 6, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks Mike! So nice that you stopped by. No, i have never tried doing that.

  • Reply sarah June 6, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    So often I come to this place and find my mouth falling open with amazement. Your photographs are so exceptional, so much above what I regularly see. You inspire me and uplift my spirit with the beauty you manage to draw forth so simply, just letting it be itself. When I grow up I want to take photos like yours.

    • Reply maryanne June 6, 2012 at 5:40 pm

      Sarah, and when i grow up, I want to write like you do. I see beautiful imagery through your words. Keep writing!

  • Reply Annie bird June 6, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    I really, really like that first shot. So creative and beautiful. You would make Rome look even better than it is–wish you were here.

  • Reply Jonna June 10, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    My sentiments exactly. I love all the new gadgets but it all at takes so much time. Sometimes, I want to turn off all the distractions and just be alone with my Bible. But then I couldn’t be inspired by your beauty.

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