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| Harvested Sage, last of the season |
This prep work, before hunkering down for a few months, is the time God gives me to prepare my heart, to cleanse anything that is not helpful for me or my journey to Him.
Sage, oregano, and parsley are being harvested as the last of what's growing. With the temperatures in the 20's in the morning, making sure all the wood is stacked and easy to get to is another chore. The fall mum's in pots on my porch will be left as long as they will stand up to the cold.
Morning fires are the norm now though not until after my morning routine of prayers and dressing. Tending to it and keeping an eye on it aren't priority, yet.
When I am cleaning the garden I feel a sense of gratitude. Remembering all the days I spent watering, hoping, looking to the sky at His vastness in prayer wondering what will grow this year, and what will be 'experience' or learning for next year.
Colorado has many summers with 'experience' in gardening. Like the year all the plants were stunted to 4 inches until late July. I learned the cold wind that summer kept everything from growing. No harvest was that year. So we put up a fence to block the north wind.
What keeps me from growing? Lately I am finding I am thinking often about this. Is it the way I speak about others? Is it the way I think, that "I can solve their problems" rather than listening and turning them to the One Who can? Am I finding myself more in a state of frustration and not able to be present to the Lord and listen as I go through my day?
Why is that? What is causing it?
Often for me, overwhelm and thinking I can do more than is truly possible. This prevents me from staying in a state of peacefulness so I can stay in contact with Him. He is the reason I have my duties and responsibilities, so it is vital for me to learn to listen and follow His lead.
I'm grateful to be away from the internet for a time. Even these days, my use is limited. I have learned I need to use the internet with intention: make a list of what I need, and always set the timer on the stove (that way I can't just turn it off).
One amazing young lady called the time on the internet mind-numbing time. I don't want that for myself. I want more than that. I want to grow closer to hearing His guidance and I can't do that when my eyes and ears are taking in things that have nothing to do with me or my journey.
The past few weeks I have also notice the return of clearer thinking, of able to decide things with less stress. There isn't the congestion in my head of all the things I've seen or heard from being online. It's clearer, calmer.
As I harvested the sage, the refreshing smell of the herb as I cut and hung it lifted my spirits and I couldn't help but get giddy inside. The stickiness of the sage oil to the string, which helps my simple little bow stay in place as it dries.
Afternoons are sitting in the sun with a jacket and tea, contemplating my day. "From the rising of the sun to the setting, may the name of the Lord be Praised" Ps 113, is my thoughts as I watch the end of the day happenings with wildlife outside. Soon it will be to cold to sit outside, so I am soaking in as much as I can.
What did I do today that would bear fruit for You? What did I say or think that got me on my own wants and will path? What did I learn? I think that one is the one I am enjoying reflecting on now. Even if what I learned came from a hard lesson.
What are you preparing your home and heart for as we enter into the late fall/winter season?
