Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sunday Afternoon Tea

Carpe Diem!

My ponderings this week have been scattered abroad as one would plant wildflower seeds but most come under the umbrella of... Carpe Diem... seize the day.  Although in the heat and humidity of summer I think it would be more like... embrace the day.  Seizing requires too much energy at the moment.

While I am not fond of summer's heat (and this has already been an extraordinarily hot season), I do love the extended light of day and all the life around me.  Well, except the spiders and the mosquitoes.  But you know what I mean... for this is the time of year one can plant a seed in the ground and almost see it grow.

I have come to learn that there are seasons of life in which joy does not naturally occur, that to feel the joy and experience the joy, one must embrace that which brings joy first.  I need to have planted the garden to see it grow and write the e-mail (or better yet, a real letter) for a response and to think about making my husband's favorite cake for Father's Day or look through the cookbook for something new to try.

I can either sit in a chair and mope and mutter or I can put on my walking shoes and go outside to hear the ever present symphony of bird songs.  There is always the temptation to watch a rerun of a TV show I've already seen two times before instead of taking a book off of the shelf which I've wanted to read for ages or sit on the porch reading through Valley of Vision and absorbing the beauty of written Puritan prayers.

To truly seize the day... in spite of any and all adverse circumstances... one has to do instead of just respond and think of ways to take advantage of all that is lovely summer has to offer.  Some days I find that easy as I wake up to beautiful weather and all needs met for the day... and even a few Godly desires.  I feel thankful for the breeze as I'm watering the garden and chat with the One Who Created Me about the miracle of planting and sowing.

I must admit there are other days in which I do not want to embrace the day... much less go about seizing anything.  When I'm not feeling well or the bank account is zero or there is a stack of dirty dishes waiting to be done and I'm already exhausted from getting dinner.  When people are cranky and Victoria is in a snit and my patience has run quite thin and I want to shout out, "Beam me up Scotti God!".

But there is something about Summer which doesn't allow melancholy to last for long.  It is a season which asks to be seized... or at the very least embraced. Those of us who live in northern climates realize how brief are the days of warmth and sun.  Gardeners and farmers alike often feel as if the seeds are planted and they blink and the harvest has arrived. 

Children are the most free in Summer and perhaps more than anyone truly embrace all that the season gives us.  I also must admit having quite fond memories of my late teenage years driving in my Mustang with my girlfriends... the aroma of Coppertone and the sounds of WLS Chicago coming from the radio.

Jesus said we are to "become like little children" and I've been thinking of that quite often lately as I awake with Carpe Diem in my thoughts.  I will embrace each day in spite of some challenges and because of many gifts from Above and most of all because I know I'm just passing through and there will be a day when there are no dark nights or lack or illness or spiders the size of Buicks in my bathroom in the middle of the night.

That is a thought worth embracing each and every day.  In the meantime... He only asks that we lean on Him and His Word and we'll do just fine thank you... embracing and seizing and learning to look forward to each and every day He gives us on the planet.

9 comments:

Rebecca said...

I needed this prod to embrace the day. I, too, am not a big fan of the heat. I, too, have a book that I need to finish...I can't remember when I've been so listless!

(Your reference to Coppertone brought back a FLOOD of memories!)

I think I'll try becoming a bit more child-like. Thanks for reminding me.

Monica said...

Thank you for this word of encouragement. I have so much to be thankful for and I know my life would be "Fuller" if I would only Seize the moment! I allow those around me to affect my outlook and my mood and I am working on that. This is a very timely post as I go into that environment today. Blessings!

Vintage Girl said...

Oh Brenda, thank you SO much for this post this morning. It's touched my heart immensely. Blessings to you and yours, Heather

Anonymous said...

You are so right! When things aren't going right or everyone is on the sick list, it's tempting to just wish this time was over, but we're only going this way once so it is important to 'Seize the Day.
I loved the part about Victoria being in a snit. Cats are funny creatures.

Marsha said...

As always, a very encouraging post, and a good reminder that each day is a gift from God.

His blessings to you!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

You have the gift of encouragement, friend!

For me I need to get up off the couch and away from my computer and get to doing the real things around here that I want to do...

I am going to embrace the beauty of my day!

Deanna

Mrs.T said...

Well said, Brenda! This is just what I needed today. Must add, too, that I just encountered a spider "the size of a Buick" (at least) in my kitchen this morning. God gave me wisdom and courage to deal with it. (You might say I seized the opportunity!) I detest these animals and we seem to have at least one per summer in the house. I'm hoping this one is it for this year...

Mary said...

Wonderful post Brenda. I have not commented for ages but never miss a post. This post was especially meaningful to me. We must find the joy when trials come. I also detest the summer heat and humidity...but summer is needed for crops and gardens. I can certainly relate to the spider the size of a Buick. spiders just give me the creepy crawlies! Hope your day has been a good one. God Bless!

Helen said...

Thank you, Brenda! You remind me of something I was pondering this morning.... My sister lives out west, and I live in the east near my parents. When she came to my parents' house for a visit recently I joined them for an afternoon. I realized how much she likes to DO instead of just BE.

My parents enjoy sitting, chatting and watching the squirrels and birds jockey for food outside their picture window. My sister was having a hard time with it since she was feeling the need to go walk, swim, sort, pack; she seemed to have a never-ending list. My parents looked tired. My sister and I went out canoeing and let my parents take a nap. :-)

I guess a balance between being and doing is the best. I really appreciate your reminder to seize the moment, whether it is just seizing a "being" moment or a "doing" moment.