He Is My Everything

i hear, see, sense God in everything.

even in those things where i might say,
"oh, that is not from or about God," or
"that does not honor God,"
God is still the gauge.

and even in those times that i've sat in darkness,
it was the absense of His light that i perceived.

everything.
He is everything to me.

Free People

The Free People catalog is one of my favorites, fashionably speaking.  I flip through that thing and finish feeling free to show you my true colors, fashionably speaking.  (And then I usually remember my age.)

Seriously, though, those folks are at least providing some great fashion direction.  Take this Native American-inspired poncho, for instance.  I could get it from their book for $168 ... or I could simply follow their direction at my favorite thrift shop instead.  I got mine for one dollar. 
That's almost free, people.



And that's really what this whole thing is about, see.  I have gratefully been freed from the tyranny of high-dollar desire, that overwhelming urge to purchase instantly and at their highest offer. 



And that's the reason that I share all of this ... because, well, you know ...
free people free people.

I've Got Dreams To Remember

I walked into a crowded boutique, sat down on a bed, and removed my boots and four pairs of socks. Some young women standing next to me started pulling sandals from a backpack and together we admired the shoe craftsmanship. At last I said, "I can do better than these shoes."

Rather suddenly, everyone left the building, apparently headed to some kind of church event. Only the boutique owner and I were left. She came to me and asked if she could help me with something. I said, "I can still spend my money but I have to do it responsibly. I used to walk all around, looking at everything but now I know that I want one special thing and would like to find it here. So please show me your shoes and your earrings."

She went to and came back from various corners of the shop, carrying hand-picked boxes, showing me very unique things, but none of them were quite "it." Finally, in an effort to surmise my particular style, she asked, "If you were the parking lot sloan, who would bring you the mask?" "Like snoopy," I asked.  She nodded.

"Oh," I answered, "Glinda the good witch."

And then I woke up.

This Is The Look That Love Built

For day two of our recent love-fest*,

• Hat and vintage leather jacket from my favorite thrift shop, which just happens to be a ministry of my church - and where I have the joy to serve
• Scarf that I bought while with a favorite friend on one of our wandering together days
• Affordable jeans, for real
• Boots that were, again, a gift - this time from someone whose name I knew, a friend - but still, I'm blown away by the kindness and generosity that does exist in the world.  It's out there.  Keep the hope!

*Day one is here.