Today...

It's Monday morning and I'm wrapped in a blanket on the back porch 

Not going to lie- it's cold out here

But I treasure the mornings that I can ease into my day

 before the schedule dictates my time.

There are birds chirping an arm's length from me.  

A wild cat {think calico} is stalking prey nearby

and the sun is bathing the yard, 

creating shadows long and luminous..

It's here that I reflect on the weekend...

The Easter morning at our House of Worship-

Story retold of the One who wears my scars...

Day spent with children and family...

We are blessed 

Blessed, 

even in the pain of reality

even in days that are wrought with the unknown

even when the sun doesn't shine and all is shadow...

We're blessed because He is Ever Present...

in spite of it all.

So we  

 turn our thoughts towards the Celebration 

of Life

and Love

Redemption

and Grace...

And because of Easter, 

today is good.

And tomorrow will be, too.

..................

THIS

is what happens when you have a sister,

nieces and nephews who are artistic.

You don't just have colored eggs...

you have edible portraits.

"Come, Thou fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

While the hope of endless glory

Fills my heart with joy and love,

Teach me ever to adore Thee;

May I still Thy goodness prove..."