"Earth's crammed with heaven. And every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit round and pluck blackberries."
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning

​Art credit: Three Little Girls Picking Blackberries by H.A. Brendekilde

I was reminded this morning of something I said when I addressed the World Congress of Families a few years ago. I don't believe we are in full blown winter yet, but nature and history cycles teach us it will come.

Keep harvesting.

"This is the day of harvest. It is a day to thrust in your sickle and reap with diligence because you know what follows Fall's harvest. Already you may be seeing signs of approaching winter. The leaves are changing color and starting to drop off the trees. There's a bit of a chill in the air. But you don't have to be afraid. Within the harvest are lessons on how to survive harsh winters. And if you've been wise, you will have stored enough to sustain yourself through cold winter months when nothing grows. Winter can be a time to rest from heavy labors, to wrap up in a warm blanket, sit in front of a fire and reflect on things that really matter. Even on the coldest day of winter is found great beauty. Some of the greatest masterpieces of literature, art and music have come from history's winters. And if the winter's day seems especially long and dark and dreary, you can hold on to the hope and promise of spring, because spring always follows winter. Always. It will be a time of new beginnings; of clearing away rotting leaves and digging new furrows in the earth to plant the seeds saved from the fruits of fall's harvest. And there will be fresh scented breezes."

Art credit: La Seconde Recolte by Julien Dupre

While the kingdom 'without' has been put on hold, this is your opportunity to do some serious building of the kingdom 'within.'

​Art credit: The Reading Lesson by Ekvall Knut

"Those who would see wonderful things must often be ready to travel alone."

--Henry van Dyke (The Other Wise Man)

Art credit: Femme au Jardin by Claude Monet

"Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are."
--Mason Cooley

Art credit: Alice in Wonderland by George Dunlop Leslie

One important lesson we are learning through WEH is how to keep hearts from failing in difficult times. Don't underestimate the power of small and simple means: a story, poem, a song, a picture, a simple walk outside. 

All free, by the way.

Art credit: A Tranquil Summer Afternoon by Louis Soonius

A global pandemic, economic collapse and now an earthquake certainly has a way of bringing what really matters in focus, doesn't it?

How concerned are you about math scores today?

​Art credit: Good Morning by Friedrich Eduard Meyerheim

"Grapes must be crushed to make wine.
Diamonds form under pressure.
Olives are pressed to release oil.
Seeds grow in darkness.
Whenever you feel crushed, pressed, or in darkness, you're
in a powerful place of transformation.
Trust the process.
Trust God."

--Lalah Delia

Art credit: Coin de Vigne by Edouard Debat-Ponsan

The Kitchen Prayer

"Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I've not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or watching
late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawn light or storming
Heaven's gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and
washing up the plates.
Although I must have Martha's hands,
I have a Mary mind
And when I black the boots and shoes--,
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor
Accept his meditation Lord, I haven't
time for more.
Warm all the kitchen with Thy love; and
light it with Thy peace
Forgive me all my worrying and make
my grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food, in
room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do, I do it unto Thee."

​Art credit: A Helping Hand by Eugene de Blaas

"Better to limp on the right road than to speed on the wrong one."

Art credit: Children on a Country Road by H.A. Brendekilde