faces

I like smiling at strangers and watching them receive the love they forgot was theirs to receive. Hope, love, and mercy are too often forgotten. Smiling helps people remember.

I've been thinking recently a lot about faces. I think God knew exactly what he was doing when he made them. Who would have thought that hearts would immediately be webbed together with a smile? They are.
Hearts change when they feel cared for. You could almost call it...magic.

Here's a poem. Audrey Assad's song, "For Love Of You" is based on the last three lines (which are the best, in my opinion.)

As Kingfishers Catch Fire by Gerard Manley Hopkins

As king fishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves -- goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is --
Christ. For Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.


Since I mentioned Audrey, I thought I'd give you a *few* of my favorites by her. I have many more. =]

Waiting?

August. Wow. That was fast.

Why do some things fly by, stopping at nothing, while others seem to take forever? And why is it almost always the opposite effect that you'd like it to have?

It's all about our expectations, right?

Expectations are crazy things. I almost wish I didn't have them sometimes. I wish I was completely oblivious to the ways things were "supposed" to be, and how that result would affect me. It feels as if that would be easier. Is it just me?

I let other people dictate TOO much about how I feel. Which is dangerous sometimes. I've learned how to control it more now that I know I have that tendency... but there's still a part of me that, despite my own warning, will get my hopes up for something that will make me happier, something that will make more sense, something that will give me a reason to feel important, etc. How could anyone give me more importance than the One who created me, died for me, and is continually fulfilling an awesome thing in me so long as I'm willing?

After almost 18 years, I've come to a realization:


waiting is so hard.


I've always been told it is, but at the same time, it was hard to know until I felt the sting myself. When my heart felt it, that's when I knew. Here's a crazy question: Is waiting ALWAYS worth it?
Good things come to those who wait, but is there something to be said for staring fear in the face and diving in under the right circumstances? I think so. Thoughts?

oh, and here's some music I like.