38 days

Make tracks. 

Today my footsteps are going back and forth as I shovel the snow from our front sidewalk. It felt good to get outside in the sunshine and look up at the bright blue sky. 

At first I was torn about removing the snow from the sidewalk. Yes, shoveling would make it much easier to take out the dogs. Yes, shoveling would make it easier for visitors to reach our breezeway door. I was torn because I love looking out and seeing no other tracks on the snow other than the nocturnal visits from rabbits, a neighbor's cat, and other unrecognizable (at least to me) animal tracks.

In between tossing shovels of snow to either side of the brick sidewalk, I paused to listen to bird songs. Surely, this is a sign of the spring to come. It was easy to identify a woodpecker. I looked up in the trees to see what birds were making the other sweet melodies, but they must have been well-hidden in evergreen trees on the hillside. Nevertheless, I was thankful they decided to share their gift with those of us out braving the cold on this February day. 

The gift they shared with me inspired my writing today. Often, we need to change our vantage point to renew our inspirations. Staring at a blank page or screen can seem daunting. The once blank canvas of the snow gave me just the change of scenery I needed to get started today. 

Earlier this morning I read a line in a book that mentioned the phrase "be where your feet are." The author, Bob Goff, explained the phrase was an old southern saying meaning to be fully present. The 20 minutes or so I spent outside allowed me to be fully present not only to focus on the shoveling task at hand, but to let my mind wander and inspire my writing.

Today, I am thankful for the God's blessings of nature and the unexpected inspiration found there.

How are your Lenten goals coming along? May you find peace and blessings each day on the journey.

Until tomorrow,

Jerilyn