nature

This entry must start all the way back to last night. Mr. and I got to bed at a reasonable time, and I was quite pleased. However, the kitty did not get as much play time as she is accustomed to getting. I had barely fallen asleep when I felt her sitting on me. I roused enough to pet her, and then realized she had brought her favorite toy and dropped it on my chest.

This toy is a ragged, well-used rope toy. She played with it constantly when we first received it. It has fallen a bit out of favor in the recent past, although I can tell it's still valued by her, because I find it sacrificed to the food gods most mornings. (That's for H.) No, it is never actually IN her food bowl, but it can frequently be found lying right next to the bowl.

Well, I soon fell back asleep. Early in the morning, however, I felt patting and thwacking around my neck, and wouldn't you know it—she was sitting on my stomach, batting at that rope. It must have been lying on my chest all night! Crazy.

So, up this morning, exercised, went to the market. Mr. and I tag-teamed on supper. He found the recipe on-line, and we both went to separate markets to get the ingredients. He had an early appointment, so I chopped up all the vegetables. Then I had a later morning appointment, so he fried the chicken and got everything in the crock pot. It turned out YUMMY! We work together well. :-)

My meeting was with the lady for whom I am doing logos. I think she was pleased. She's a little hard to read. She liked the concepts, anyway. There will be tweaking as soon as she decides which one she wants to go with.

Then I stayed on at the coffee shop. ALL afternoon. I ate lunch there, had two cups of coffee and a pain au chocolate. (a croissant with a streak of chocolate running through it. YUM! And I had my time with God.

Two things struck me. One was when I tried sitting still and quiet with Him, like I promised I would. It was actually hard to do. Awkward, with moments of silence, like a first date. We did "converse" a bit I think, and it was good; good enough for me to want to try it again. I hope it gets easier with practice.

The second thing was a reminder. I have begun reading a book on spiritual temperaments, and I am an overwhelming naturalist—one who feels closest to God in nature. Now, I have known this forever. For a long while I assumed everyone connected with God in that way, it was so instinctive for me. But I realize that I haven't had much of an opportunity to enjoy Him like that lately. Nature is hard to find in this concrete crypt we call a city. Maybe that's why I struggle so to feel Him near, to sense His presence. It takes a lot of creativity and some intentionality to find a relaxing bit of nature here. I need to make more of a point to seek it out.

The photo today is from my friend's flower shop. She was outside when I went to the market this morning, and I stopped to visit. I will be faithful in doing that, even though I have no idea how to turn the conversation to spiritual things. I just pray that I will be ready when the time comes. Anyway, she was preparing lotus blossoms for a bouquet. I think the sheer volume of flowers, as well as their simplicity, made for a beautiful composition.