Perspective
So my kids have been going outside too, sitting in the little "woods," writing poetry and gazing up into the pine.
I like this poem from Sara. There was snow on the ground when she wrote it...
It's not very cold outside
and it's beautiful
and it's peaceful
and the birds are singing
and then the dogs bark
and the distant sound of cars
and the rustling of birds in the trees
and I am in the forest
and it's real.
It's real. I wonder what's real to me, and to you... and how our perspective influences this reality...
Poem by Sara. Pine photo by L.L. Barkat.
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Labels: family stories, poetry, secret place, spirit
posted by L.L. Barkat at 11:19 AM
23 Comments:
Hi L.L! So sorry about the strange changes to my blog. I decided to change the template altogether. Please let me know if it reads better. Thanks!
These last two photos are very telling. It reminds me of King David who consistently looked up for an eternal perspective, regardless of his temporal surroundings.
Good point, Craver.
LL, your 29-aren't you? *grin*
I like the poem too. And the photo. God can help us have that perspective, even when it would seem "natural" not to. A gift from God. Does remind me of Ecclesiastes where the writer or people in it either see the dirt of life, or something of a whole picture that includes goodness and God, even if the beauty is in the eye of the beholder (by faith).
What's real to us? A wonderful question to think and pray on, L.L. Thanks.
I didn't emphasize enough the LIKE I have for Sara's poem!
Mama... I'll come over and take a look.
Craver... yes, I liked the contrast. And it has given me much to consider (perhaps no coincidence, I've been reading the Psalms as I sit in the "woods").
Eve... 29... is that a real number?
Ted... thanks. It is most unnatural for me to be content in this situation. Definitely some big learning going on over here. I like your reference to Ecclesiastes. And in that case it's interesting because a man of great wealth, surrounded by great beauty was filled with despair.
Hi L.L.
I think you are seeing what I am seeing. For some reason, the sidebar won't show at all, so I had to put my picture and info on the main post area. Strange! I'll keep tweaking it. But at least it reads:).
Thanks!
Kelley (MamaMonk)
Right now my reality is to get through the weeks and enjoy the weekends. I know sad, but I think I have a burn-out...
Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem by Sara...very talented, just like her mom...
Blessings to your Thursday evening and always.
Ah, perspective. I've been thinking on & around the topic myself lately. Will I choose to fix my eyes on what I lack, what is wrong, what makes me sad or angry, at all the garbage around me ... or will I look up and see the slender reaching branches of a pine tree, the eagle in flight, or the sky set ablaze by the sun?
On one of my own walks recently, I kept hearing God say "look up". My footing did not change, but the view was entirely new when I wasn't looking at the ground anymore.
Beautiful poem by Sara! A perfect accompaniment for this post.
29 must be real number, LL-I've been 29 for 3 years now, lol!
"and it's real"....... that simple line says SO much, especially coming from the heart of a child.
that's wonderful that your children are so aware of the world around them and can express it this way....through poetry. my sister home schools using charlotte mason's approach and i am always amazed at how aware my nephews and nieces are of the world and how knowledgable and intuitive they already are.
sounds like you are doing a great job as teacher/mommy!
this, also, reminds me to have an ETERNAL perspective as everything around us, even nature, is temporal. it is what we DON'T see that is the most real.....this natural world is one of the vessels that points us to/ gives us glimpses of REAL.......
That's a great perspective!
(Love what you said, Craver.)
Oooh...I do like that too. I love the innocence and realness of youth.
Reality is hard. All these things in Sara's poem, things she can see and feel, do seem incredibly real. And yet things aren't always what they seem. Especially in the kingdom where everything gets turned upside down. I think our perspective influences our reality a great deal. The further away from ourselves we can look, the better our perspective.
Eph... I'm so sorry to hear that... maybe something will give soon?
Kirsten... what an intimate experience with God. How do we know when we are simply to "look up," and how do we know when it is time for a change of place? (a question I've been thinking on myself)
Eve... and I will refrain from telling you how long I've been 29. :)
Blue... I think that all children have these abilities, and some environments (public or private) are more conducive to developing them than others. One key seems to be giving them time in solitude (just like we big people long for).
Andrea... yes, I love the pic and it makes me really think about what I will focus on in my own life. And Craver's mention of David reminds me that a simple shepherd wrote some of the most evocative poetry in the bible... all because He could see God over and above everything.
KM... it is such a blessing to be touched by the realness, and I always need to keep this in mind when my days are less than smooth.
Charity... tell me more. I hear other things under your words... well, tell me if you like.
I love the perspective your daughter has. And seeing the previous photos of your yard makes this even more powerful.
You are a good teacher, to give Sara this opportunity for perspective...without your committment to your "secret place," would she have this? Maybe not. Motherhood is sobering. Sacred. Thank you for the glimpse into your family.
I love Sara's poem. She has the makings of a true poet in her heart, without even trying (because she's no doubt unaware of any of the theory of "good poetry" that circulates out there). I hope she always retains that sense of wonder and the real.
Thanks for sharing the photo and sparking this discussion on perspective.
Perspective of the temporal in light of eternity is such a challenge for us, isn't it. Not to invest our hopes and passions on what is temporal is something I battle constantly. Our homes, our wealth, our possessions, even our health - it's all real, it's just limited and temporal. God intends for us to invest our passions, hopes and dreams on what is of greatest value and eternally enduring.
It can be so difficult sometimes to even see this perspective although when we come face to face with death, either in our own lives or in the lives of our loved ones, we see this more clearly
LL, I just saw a pic of you and your book! Congrats! (I had no idea you had a book :) I'm also glad I finally know what you look like-it's hard blogging to a faceless person *grin*
Llama... motherhood is surely sobering! But these precious moments when something good (real in the very best sense) comes through... well, it comforts me.
Christianne... gee, I don't even have any theories of good poetry. You've got me intrigued.
Every Square... I agree, and somehow I hope, by sitting outside in solitude and really listening, to not have to wait for the BIG messages that come with threat and suffering. God has so much to tell us in gentle ways.
Eve... well, so you found me. I'm glad it didn't scare you away! But the book cover? That must have been someone else's... I'm still revising my book, and I figure that the publisher is not even dreaming about covers yet.
Yes, actually, I was hoping for an age, if only to compare with mine - however, the age of the children makes me think that I would loose, loose, loose. Can you tell I'm feeling a bit old today?
It is a lovely poem and a wonderful awareness of reality in a young child - and in a world filled with video games and headphones, that's a joyful thing to see.
"How do we know when we are simply to "look up," and how do we know when it is time for a change of place?"
Good question. I will have to begin thinking on that myself.
She takes after her Mother, what great words and I love the pic!
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