7/7/24

"Something wild is always blooming... Often I fear that I am not paying enough attention."

I came across this quotation, from Wendell Berry's novel Jayber Crow, in one of the essays in the summer magazine of the book club I'm in, Well-Read Mom. My eyes lingered more than usual on the words, and I had that familiar feeling of the arrow hitting its mark. This was a reminder for me to open my eyes and ears more and tune in to what new things are blooming in my children, and what they're trying to tell me--whether literally in words or more subtly through their actions and choices. What do I see that she needs? What is he telling me about who he is, or who he is not? And then, to ask God what I should do with it.

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger." (James 1:19)

"Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." when you turn to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)