RevGals Friday Five: Good in this World

Deb, over at the RevGals blog offers this timely Friday Five: 

 
 Frodo: I can't do this, Sam. 
Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. 

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam? 

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

===oOo===
In these last few weeks there's been all kinds of bad news. Tornadoes and a blizzard. Gun violence and a legislative body squabbling like toddlers over budgets, health care and who knows what else. For those of us in the US, it's tax season. Yuck.

We're only in the second week of Lent. Easter's a long way off. And here in the Mid-Atlantic region, the weather can't seem to make up its mind. Is it winter? Is it spring? Will it snow? Will it rain? Are my daffodils doomed if they actually BLOOM next week like they are threatening to?

So this week's Friday Five is courtesy of my good friends Frodo and Sam. Name 5 things that are good in our world. Or your world. Photos are a bonus.

1.  The church community I serve has discerned a call to work with a church in Liberia to build a school. It is very exciting, a bit overwhelming, and somewhat daunting - must be of the Holy Spirit!  This photo is of our delegation on their trip to Liberia in January 2013 to meet the people and learn more about the project.


 


 2. The church community I serve is growing in numbers with young families and children, defying the statistics....


 

 3. We have an organic community garden - I LOVE to plant, tend too, and harvest in this garden. This year I intend to grow: tomatoes, green beans, lots of lettuce, broccoli, brussel sprouts, herbs, cucumbers, zucchini, and probably something else, a new crop...






4.  Our animals - who consistently amuse us and remind us of unconditional love. 






5. Sunrise....and a Mary Oliver poem (somehow, all is right with a day that begins with a sunrise and Mary Oliver...and a cup of coffee).


Sunrise
 
You can
Die for it –
An idea,
Or the world. People
Have done so, brilliantly,
Letting
Their small bodies be bound
To the stake,
Creating
An unforgettable
Fury of light…
I thought
How the sun
Blazes
For everyone just
So joyfully
As it rises
Under the lashes
Of my own eyes, and I thought
I am so many!
What is my name?
What is the name
Of the deep breath I would take
Over and over
For all of us? Call it
Whatever you want, it is
Happiness, it is another one
Of the ways to enter fire.
 
(New and Selected Poems, Volume I by Mary Oliver)

 



Comments

Jan said…
Terri, I love seeing into your world. Your pictures are wonderful! As always, thank you for the poem; your selections always touch me.
Anonymous said…
beautiful.
animals... where'd we be without them?
angela said…
Love this--it has me smiling. Right now that's a bit of a challenge.

I'm excited for your church's love traveling to Liberia and the young families in the church too. I'm taking a class on mission strategies that focuses on redevelopment and revitalization. Hard work and worth it for the right reasons. :-)
I didn't know you played the guitar. How wonderful...the guitar...and the rest of your F5 as well.
Terri said…
Purple, that isn't actually me playing the guitar - its a parishioner who helped lead the class...she and I have been considered sisters....because we look a bit alike, although she's tall and blonde and I am short and brunette (or uhm, gray)...
Deb said…
Ahhh.... a lovely set of pictures, and a heart-poem to end it all. Thank you. That was wonderful! Thanks for playing. <3
Gaye said…
Wonderful the pictures tell a great story.
Gaye said…
Wonderful the pictures tell a great story.
Stratoz said…
Splendid. Glad to hear the church is unfolding into new places. May I suggest growing Swiss Chard. It is hardy to cold and heat here in SE PA. A fine cooking green to have in any garden.
Terri said…
Stratoz, my garden neighbors grow Swiss Chard...I've never tried it, although it is eautiful to look at. I guess I will need to try it. I know it is good for us.

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