We're having 100 degree weather in Oklahoma so the first thing I do early each morning is water the gardens.
The last two mornings, I've walked out of the house and run right into the middle of a spider web. I imagine I look hilarious as I frantically knock it out of the way.
I'm reminded of a few years ago when we had a spider web on our front porch. I would run into the web and wave my arms around frantically trying to get it out of my face and hair. After a couple of those beatings the spider decided to move. She moved to her new spot....a few feet away from the line of traffic and most certainly out of MY way.
I really became quite attached to watching her re-building process....I watched her each day....amazed at her perseverance. During the day the web would disappear and a new one would go up each evening.
It appeared she only did what she needed to do in order to take care of her needs for the day. She spent most of her time at the center of the web.....only leaving her center when it was necessary. It happened very quickly...she'd go out, grab an insect that had been caught in the web and then head back to the center. She must have been very focused in order to know when to leave her center and when not to.
I gained wisdom from this little creature about spending energy unnecessarily. These last few mornings, I've again been reminded that when I stay centered my energies will be spent in much wiser ways.
I'm thankful I notice.....I'm thankful there are gifts all around me and sometimes in the most unexpected places....spider webs.....resting puppies......beautiful butterflies.....on these warm days of Summer.
Are we the only ones of God's creatures that spend so much needless effort from day to day? I'd love to hear some ways that you practice staying centered.
Living near a lake offers me many opportunities to watch the construction of and the colliding with amazing webs that sparkle in the mornings when the dew is still intact. But what centers me is going down to the point near my home where I can sit on the lake's edge and wait for the sun to come over the distant hills. When I see that first peep of blaze appear, I feel a sudden rush of 'connected' to all of God's creation...the sunbeam races across the water and comes directly to me, drawing me into the drama of the sunrise. It is remarkable and reminds me, "I am with you always". Keeps me humble.
ReplyDeleteJulane,
ReplyDeleteComing in from 102 degree Dallas heat,putting my feet up and enjoying your blog---this puts me in touch with my center.
I'm not going to fix the delicious salmon recipe today, but I will calmly think of a lovely, simple dinner Gary and I shared with you and Bill many years ago. I well remember it was just after we returned to OKC and had lost touch with my center. Tha night, I went home after our meal, more in touch with what matters in life. A meal shared with friends helped me find my center.