The Grass Is Greener...

My husband is used to me blurting out, "Please pull over so I can get a picture of that sunset!!" He's had to live with me & my obsession for photography (of sunsets, sunrises and much, much more) for many years now. Tonight was no exception. As we were headed to the Open House at our g-daughter's day care center, the sun was setting. And, I was smitten. The clouds seemed to make a trail to the west - beckoning me to follow. 

I've wanted to float away from my responsibilities & my reality with the clouds on many occasions. I've wanted to catch hold of a jet trail & take it to distant places. I've watched people getting on planes & day-dreamed about where they were going & if I'd like it there.

Do You Like Your Life Ruthann?

It's a little past seven in the evening and, I'm sitting here on the patio beside our cement pond eating leftovers for dinner. The rest of the family won't be home for several hours. The day has finally cooled down enough to be able to enjoy being outside. Beside me is a pool that has an eerie yellow-green tint to it thanks to the mustard algae we've been battling all summer. Earlier today I brushed down the sides of the pool to try to get the cleaning process started again. I'm surrounded by a wooden fence that's rotten and falling down in many places. A big portion of it is now replaced with staked up chicken wire. There's mismatched patio furniture all around me - many of the pieces held together, no doubt, by rust. Assorted hand-me-downs: play sets, swings and slides, that I vowed would never clutter up my yard, abound.

PAIRINGS - Bloom Where You're Planted

I heard that from my mother over & over & over again as a child, youth & young adult. It was almost always followed by me shivering & wincing - similar to the reaction some people have when they hear fingernails scrape a chalkboard. I knew what she meant by it. I knew it was true. And, I knew I wasn't in the mood to embrace that truth most of the times she said it.

I didn't even realize that I was following that piece of advise as the years went by. The life of a "PK" resulted in me living in seven different states from birth into my early 20's. Between Kindergarten in Belding, Michigan & college in Anderson, IN, I attended 6 more different schools (in 3 additional states). And, you know what... ? I found wonderful things to do and made great friends in every new place. 

One opportunity we have as the years pass by is to embrace some of the truths we avoided in our youth. Truths like...

• Bloom where you're planted...
• Make lemonade out of the lemons in your life...
• Life's not fair...
• Actions speak louder than words...
• If the shoe fits, wear it...

And those truths become more like familiar friends and less like enemies over the years - when we allow them to do so.

Today I was thinking about the pictures posted by a friend who recently moved back to the city of his origin... the Emerald City... Seattle, Washington.  I see those pictures & think WHY CAN'T I LIVE THERE. Upon having that thought, I heard a voice in my head. But, it wasn't my mother's voice speaking the words. And, I didn't shiver & wince. The voice was ME speaking. The reaction was a feeling of embracing the statement:

Bloom where you're planted!

And then, my silly mind tacked on a personal reminder for today after feeling a bit jealous over all the gorgeous Pacific northwest photos:

After all, not ALL of us can live in Seattle. 

God has proven to me, over & over, that there will always be plenty for which to give thanks - if I open my eyes to those gifts!

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...