Silent Grace

It leaned forward, inclining toward patches of sunlight and I studied it awhile. I wanted to clip the gorgeous, orange-tinted blossoms, bring them inside but I let them be. I lingered, inhaling an elongated breath of this fragrance lost in winter time. I breathed deep again, knowing that taking all those breaths are good for health and well-being, and stress falls off the shoulder, landing on a carpet of verdant green grass. Linger more, pause and plant these feet right here, right in the midst of the moment or it might evaporate like the rich scent of our roses.

A man prayed and at first he thought prayer lies in talking. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized prayer is listening.

~Soren Kierkegaard~

Maybe the moment will hold me together, wrap me in peace and understanding if the mind stills just long enough to hear the invisible, allow the milliseconds to tick off stress, ushering in abundant joy. A dog barked, water cascades from our fountain, a lawn mower revved up and I remained. The television inside silenced, worry beads tucked away in the solitude, my prayer list surfaced to mind and this is where I heard him speak.

Returning inside I waited for the pull of all that anxiety and scurrying to hem me in once again. And I wondered if I heard him right true, and I started to decipher the missive as if I'm spelunking in ancient ruins, transcribing hieroglyphics. But it wasn't until the next day when my husband and I scanned the home decor aisle at Fred Meyer's that clarity blanketed this anxious mind.

We bought it and hung it same day. A naked spot on our fence that now holds the message he gifted me that day in the lingering.  Taking a deep rich inhale of grace, I whispered thank you. I will start again.

Choose joy, rest in me, I've got it all under control.