efforts – Blisswood

Learning How to Fly

Fledgling Starling Rests Briefly Before its Next Take Off ~ Shared by M.

Christ is Risen!

It’s truly amazing how much God loves us all… including those precious little fledgling birds “coming in hot” and touching down safely in daisy dotted fields!

It’s hard work learning how to fly! I KNOW, because I tried really hard when I was around three or four years old… Vaulting off picnic tables and launching myself out from low tree branches.

My hair (styled in required pig-tails) although catching the wind, never helped with upward thrust. It was a rude awakening that my flapping arms were simply too slow, and just couldn’t cut a decent lift off.

Never thwarted for long, I logically hatched a brand new plan on my high-tech Etch-a-Sketch (taking in all previous failings and fallings into account), and a brand new, final experiment became that day’s Swan Song.

Let’s just say it could have ended more disastrously, with my leaping high off the top bunk bed (bumping my head on the ceiling) all while holding a balloon. Gravity prevailed, and I wouldn’t blame my long-suffering Guardian Angel if he may have pondered an immediate transfer that day, but has stolidly stuck with me… And still protects me! (Thank you Holy Guardian Angel!)

Mom, ever-commiserating, consoled me. First, by telling me to stop bleeding all over her newly washed kitchen floor, and second, distractingly bandaging my bruises, along with sharing the amazing concept – there were other “ways” we can soar aloft… in our minds and hearts! That it’s our souls that have invisible wings! God made us all special, in our own ways.

Today, I’m sitting placidly beside an open window and joyfully hearing the many kinds of birds in my yard singing sweet songs of praise, who are Blessing the Name of the Lord, from henceforth and forever more!

Meanwhile, I’m still learning how to fly in the way God wants me to. It’s a life-long process. Happily, there are inklings of updraft, and for that I’m grateful.

God is Good!

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father… Fear ye not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows. ~ St. Matthew 10:29,31

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. ~ St. Luke 12:6,7

Truly He is Risen!

A Deep Pull From the Divine Well

Morning Sunbeams Shine on Vibrant Shamrocks Encompassing Wooden Garden Icon of Our Lord

Christ is Risen!

Yesterday we celebrated the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman at the Well, and I’d love to re-share an excerpt from a wonderful (past) homily by Archpriest John:

While we think mostly on an earthly plane, in the Gospels – Christ speaks on the true spiritual plane… drawing us to the realization of Who Life is. Like the Samaritan Woman at the Well (Gospel of St. John, Chapter 4), when we desire to obtain the promise of Living Water, realizing who we are, we have to choose and accept the belief in Christ. These things are necessary for everyone. If we don’t desire something, why would we make any effort for it? If we don’t want to look honestly at ourselves, what would we ever want to change? If we never realize Who Christ is, why would we ever seek Him? We may speak to God about what we want, what we think we need, and wonder why we don’t have it right now. We speak carnally, but He answers us spiritually. He wants to give us something far greater. We want water from a well where we’ll thirst again. But He wants for us to have eternal life. ~ Archpriest John Adams ☦️

Let us take a deep pull, and drink deeply from the Divine Well of Living Water… Let us fill Our Hearts to the brim with Him, in Spirit and Truth!

Truly He is Risen!

My Hoary Head

Christ is Risen!

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation. ~ Psalm 71:18

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. ~ Proverbs 16:31

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?~ Job 12:12

Hoary Head definition: Gray/white/frosty-hair colour denoting advanced elderly, venerable age. A hoary head in the Bible refers to gray or white hair symbolizing old age, wisdom, experience and honour. It’s derived from the Hebrew word seivah, and represents a life of righteousness, and is considered a crown of glory when found on a righteous person. (A continuing lifelong project for me!)

Although most women in our family turned gray early, many chose not to go quietly into the night, and fiercely dyed their hair in dark, vibrant hues of ash browns or deep auburns. Sometimes, a respectful nod to their approaching triple digits, would inspire a type of Elsa Lanchester-ish style with lightening-bolt streaks of shocking white, “to look more natural.”

Granted, back in the business world of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, many women felt pressured to appear younger, and thusly dyed their hair due to these situations – and not because they preferred it for artistic self expression, as is more the case these days.

Since my early 40’s I’ve chosen to embrace the beginnings of an hoary head, not because of any “wisdom” or “righteousness” on my part, but on account that it was a beautiful God-given silver colour I appreciated.

As they say – growing older ain’t for sissies, and fully embracing internal acknowledgement of one finally hitting a “certain age” takes guts. Serious guts. (With or without reflux.)

For decades, each new and approaching stage of life was previously and eagerly anticipated with all its (mostly) wonderful changes. Until, one day, it dawns on you that yup, you’re really a SENIOR, but, at least on the outside. Logically, the numbers add up, but, oddly, inside – you still feel the way you’ve always felt since youth!

Avoiding acceptance of Seniordom is futile in our mortal wheelhouse. We don’t have to like it, it’s just the way it is. Graceful acceptance helps us to persevere, with God’s Help.

I remember waking my 99 year grandma Faith at the care home from her afternoon nap, to go for our regular Sunday drive. She would stand up, slip on her shoes, totter over to the dresser looking for her lipstick, glance in the mirror with one good eye, and shriek, “Mercy! I look like the Wreck of the Hesperus! That’s not me in there!” Then, armed with a fresh application of lipstick and blessed with a short term memory, she immediately changed the subject and spryly set off with us for a drive through the park to enjoy an ice cream cone.

My first glimpses of a newish (heavy on the ish) Seniordom were observed through friends and family. While everyone else seemed to be aging, I wasn’t, or at least, maybe I was, but only a little?

This scrutiny produced new temptations to judge others due to “their” denial of growing older… based on length of rogue nostril hairs, chin whiskers, not wearing glasses, OR wearing too many readers-glasses at once.

When I finally acquiesced to the blatant fact that I myself was almost as blind as a bat and, *gasp* needed glasses, I remember trying on my new prescription and the consternation of literally having my pastel, Gaussian-Blurred-World ripped cruelly away – to discover my own husband actually now had a few wrinkles, as did I! Sadly, it’s always easier to see (with or without glasses) others’ foibles before our own.

Lord Have Mercy!

There’s a quote from circa 500 B.C., attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus of Ephesus, who lamented (possibly inspired by a menopausal wife?), “Change is the only constant.”

Indeed it is.

But, I’ll also JOYFULLY add, that above all else, God is our only constant, and never changes. The only Spiritual Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding that counts, is from God. I’m continuing to labour on that righteous Crown of Glory, albeit at the pace of a senior tortoise, but that’s ok!

Just keep on moving to keep moving!

Greetings on tomorrow’s Mid-Feast of Pentecost and Great-Martyr St. George’s Day!

Congratulations on your Saint’s Day tomorrow, Matushka Alexandra and Shura! Memory Eternal, dear George.

Truly He is Risen!

Holding On and Letting Go

Icon of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

Your job is to work upon yourself: the rest is in the Hands of God. ~ St. Theophan the Recluse

Planted in Our Place

Wild Chamomile Thriving on Rain-Quenched Rural Grass

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. ~ Isaiah 40:8

Do not be confused because dark thoughts often trouble you, for dark thoughts, like autumn clouds, come one after another and darken everything. But then they pass and the sky remains clear and pleasant. And so our thoughts wander, they wander around the wide world, but the mind remains planted in its place, and then there is quiet, and the soul becomes joyful. But our mind, from wandering here and there, becomes accustomed to the brief but often repeated prayer of Jesus, which God may grant you the habit of saying and then your days will be bright. ~ St. Anthony of Optina

We are all planted in our places. For whatever reason. On a recent excursion I thrilled to discover wild chamomile still popping up here and there, where least expected. Bending down for closer inspection, I spied bustling beetles and ants – struggling – yet dashing determinedly amid obstacle courses of pebbles, fir-needles, twigs and dandelion detritus. Sometimes its hard to consider that even in autumn, a little piece of country ground thrives as a living thing. Organically interconnected beneath the soil, and strengthened through marvellous myriads of neighbouring roots and fungi, we can sense the Great within the small. When we recognize nature’s perfection, its because God is perfect. What joy there is in giving oneself over to a moment in nature… To inhale that especially fresh, spicy fragrance that happens only after a rain… to harvest and store Creation’s nourishing gifts in the silos of our minds. For these blessed memories, tucked carefully away in our autumnal hearts, may be recalled as needed. These sweet seeds of peace and contentment are numinous aids. They are spiritual brooms of beautiful, expectant hope – that sweep away dried, withered leaves and debris from life’s storms and personal obstacle courses. God sees and rewards all our efforts according to our salvation. Let us remain patiently planted in our places, thoroughly engaged – and prepared to bloom joyfully wherever we are planted, offering ourselves unto Creation’s Planter – as a Living Fruition of Spiritual Fragrance!

Filling Our Hearts to the Brim

Thailand image by sippakorn yamkasikorn from Pixabay

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. ~ Jesus Christ (St. John 4: 23-24)

While we think mostly on an earthly plane, in the Gospels – Christ speaks on the true spiritual plane… drawing us to the realization of Who life is. Like the Samaritan Woman at the Well (Gospel of St. John, Chapter 4), when we desire to obtain the promise of Living Water, realizing who we are, we have to choose and accept the belief in Christ. These things are necessary for everyone. If we don’t desire something, why would we make any effort for it? If we don’t want to look honestly at ourselves, what would we ever want to change? If we never realize Who Christ is, why would we ever seek Him? We may speak to God about what we want, what we think we need, and wonder why we don’t have it right now. We speak carnally, but He answers us spiritually. He wants to give us something far greater. We want water from a well where we’ll thirst again. But He wants for us to have eternal life. ~ Archpriest John Adams ☦️

What does the heart seek
when its soul is parched, withered,
– what does my heart say?

It says encouragingly… Let us draw and drink deeply from the Divine Well of Living Water… Let us Fill Our Hearts to the Brim with Him, in Spirit and Truth!

Saving Attitude of Gratitude

Spider web bejewelled with morning dewdrops

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

There’s always something to be grateful for, even in the midst of trials and tribulations… And an attitude of gratitude with thanksgiving, dispels fear and carries hope – filling the heart with joy!

We’re not meant to trudge through life’s storms alone, but are encouraged to entrust our worries, heartaches, and requests, daily and directly into God’s Hands.

What a Friend and Saviour we have in Jesus Christ!

Although He always knows what’s going on in our lives, He patiently waits for us to choose to reach out and talk with Him… to transfer any crushing load off ourselves, and freely give Him the control to direct our efforts.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ St. Matthew 11:29

As simply and as trustingly as a child reaches out to someone they dearly love, we’re also taught to earnestly entreat God. This draws us closer to our Heavenly Father.

By casting cares and anxiety aside… by sharing our needs through prayer, we bring He Who Is our Daily Bread… into ourselves, and under the roof of our soul…

And Lo! He promises and lovingly responds in kind; embracing our hearts and minds with a Holy, Gentle, Peace from Above – a Gift which transcends all understanding.

Glory to God for all things!

Florescence of Efforts

Your job is to work upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the Hands of God. ~ St. Theophan the Recluse

Very many wish to be vouchsafed the Kingdom without labours, without struggles, without sweat; but this is impossible. ~ St. Macarius of Egypt

Beauty is found in the physical and numinous splendour surrounding us… and God rewards the florescence of efforts with refreshing Spiritual Dew!

Happy All Saints’ Day

A Thicket of Maiden-Hair Ferns Refreshed by Righteous Rain

Blessed Feast, and Happy Saint’s Day Emmanuelle!

Previous *All Saints’ Day* Blisswood Posts
God’s Garden ~ Posted June 14, 2020
Sunday of All Saints ~ Posted June 27, 2021
God Giveth the Increase ~ Posted June 19, 2022
Called to Be Saints ~ Posted July 11, 2023

In the New Testament we are called to be saints, and the Orthodox Church gives the title of saint to those who throughout history, have lived and died in Christ.

While Canonized (Glorified) Saints have their own feast days, there are countless multitudes of saints (since the time of Adam) who don’t have a feast day… and some of these are even nameless Saints – known only to God!

Since the 4th century, All Saints’ Day is celebrated the first Sunday after the Great Feast of Pentecost. Today we commemorate all saints from everywhere and from every time. We honour the known and unknown… Whether they be men, women or children… these shining clouds of witnesses have lived to the fruition of Holiness.

As all are alive in Christ, the saints are our friends and alive in Heaven. They are venerated, but not worshipped.

Kontakion (a little hymn) of All Saints: The universe offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Planter of Creation, the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers, O Most Merciful One, through the Mother of God keep Thy Church, Thy estate, in deep peace.

Every one of us is the painter of his own life. Our soul is like the canvas, and the virtues are the paint. Jesus Christ is the image we should copy. ~ St. Gregory of Nyssa

In God and in His Church there is no division between the living and the departed, but all are one in the love of the Father. Whether we are alive or whether we are dead, as members of the Church we still belong to the same family, and still have a duty to bear one another’s burdens. Therefore just as Orthodox Christians here on earth pray for one another and ask for one another’s prayers, so they pray for the faithful departed and ask the faithful departed to pray for them. Death cannot sever the bond of mutual love which links the members of the Church together. ~ Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

All the Saints are like fragrant flowers in God’s Heavenly Garden.

May we bloom where planted, and regardless of debris from life’s storms… offer unto Creation’s Planter a fruition of Spiritual Fragrance!

Happy Eve of the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter & Paul Fast!

Rising Up Through the Cracks

Greetings on the Afterfeast of the Ascension!

I’m always rooting for those hardy Sweet Alyssum seed volunteers (dispersed from last year’s window-boxes) that rise up through the cracks in our patio walkway! They emerge. They flourish. Their appearance softens and beautifies the terrace flagstones. They become part of the whole.

A reward is bestowed for a conflict, and no one speaks of a victory where there is no struggle. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian

Do not be cast down over the struggle – the Lord loves a brave warrior. The Lord loves the soul that is valiant. ~ St. Silouan the Athonite

The heavier the burdens we’ve got to lift in this world, the greater God’s blessing will be… ~ Elder Symeon Kragiopoulos

Don’t let anything deprive you of Hope. ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina

Like impossibly fragile plants, people too (with God’s help), become as valiant Seedlings of Light… breaking through seemingly impossible barriers – to grow, and flourish, despite whatever they’re buried beneath.

Nature’s resilience is amazing.

People’s resilience is astounding!

Jesus said… “with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26

May we too, with the help of Creation’s Planter, ascend like the fragrant, sweet alyssum, to blossom forth – through the personal flagstones of life!