In Mind of Ireland

County Sligo, Ireland
County Sligo, Ireland

It is a soft, misty morning here in Virginia.  The clouds are draped softly on the trees, the grass, the ground.  The white swirls around as I drive.  I feel as if I am wrapped in a soft fluffy blanket, and I am instantly, happily, back in Ireland on a similar day. 

A low whistle, the uillean pipes, the guitar, the lyrical stories in song fill my car’s speakers.  I begin to smile, to imagine, to be there.

Sitting in the pub, on a soft misty day, eating an amazing fresh-caught fish, a lovely Smithwick’s pint to wash it down. 

Not knowing exactly what will happen next, but blissfully not worrying about it. 

Listening to the session musicians, watching the set dancing….people much older than me who could dance as if they had springs underfoot. 

The dark, warm wooden tones of the pub wrapping you up to insulate against anything the outside might throw your way.

What a lovely morning of imagining, of remembering, it has been.

Slainte, Lisa

Freedom, Surrender, Forgiveness

Freedom
Surrender
Forgiveness

May God bless you with the freedom to dare, to explore, to live.

May God bless you with the surrender to accept things bigger than you, to willingly trust.

May God bless you with His forgiveness, which covers all and lets you lie down in peace, even on the edge of a cliff.

Blessings, Lisa

Photographs all taken in County Donegal, Ireland, Ed Lyons

Ever After

Photograph taken on Valentia Island, Ireland, Lisa Lyons

Let’s pretend that all is well

and just go back in time

Let’s find the place where hours glowed

and laughter always chimed

There is no perfect time, she said

No matter how you sigh

There always is a time of tears

Intermingled with the cheers

This life we lead is full of joy, of sadness, and of wonder

The way to peace is accepting all, and finding the Creator

The One true God, His name is Jesus, and life eternal after

He is the Way, the Truth, the Life

He is our Ever After

c2022 Lisa Lyons

Art in the Sky

We had hard rain last night. By the light of day, the clouds are parting, revealing the bluest blues and painting beautiful images. I thought this one was interesting.

Let me know what you see in the comments below.

May God bless your day with glorious glimpses of His goodness.

Slainte, Lisa

Overachievers, or Reaching Past Herd Mentality

As I regard our lovely holly bush this morning, I laughed as I looked at the fast, vigorous growers on the top. They are lush green, reaching to grow as much as possible before being trimmed into submission by my ever-hardworking husband.

As goes my mind, I thought about the various ways you could see these shoots of green.

  1. Unsightly sore thumbs- they just don’t fit in. They are not following the lines of the accepted holly bush shape.
  2. Overachievers – they are just showing off. They want to outshine all the others around them.
  3. Reachers of grandeur- they want something more, something different. They are not content to merely follow the herd mentality and stay within the accepted boundaries of holly bush rules. They are reaching for the heavens.

Now I know by writing this, my sweet husband is now going to have trouble trimming this bush, as he will feel bad for trimming their exuberance. lol

How do you see these lovely green shoots? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Have a wonderful day seeing the world that God has made in all its exuberant glory.

Slainte, Lisa