Monday, November 16, 2009

Nooks and Crannies

Today I saw an English muffin delivery truck with the phrase "nooks and crannies" written on the side. It is very possible that my ten gluten-free weeks are what caused my mouth to immediately water. It is possible I drooled. (Possible.) Without those nooks and crannies, an English muffin is not much more than a thin bagel, minus the center hole or a piece of round toast, minus the crust. It’s the nooks and crannies filling up with warm, melty butter that give this dough disk its yummy beauty.

I’m not much different than an English muffin. (And I do mean more than its shape!) Generically, I am a daughter, woman, wife, homeschooling mom, friend, etc. What I allow to fill up my life’s "nooks and crannies" is what can give my life its yummy beauty. Or not.

While I do not pretend to be a master or expert on any subject, there is one area which I frequently practice – to allow (or at least attempt to allow) to fill up the nooks and crannies. It is the practice of purposeful thoughtfulness. Proverbs 11:25 has been my continual confirmation and conviction in this area. It says, "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." The giver of thoughtfulness is just as blessed as the give-e! When I practice purposeful thoughtfulness, it is a yummy flavor filling up my life. And without getting too deeply theological, the yummy flavor is NOT intended to pat my own back or sing my own praises. It’s to show others the "aroma [flavor] of Christ." (II Corinthians 2:14 - 16)

Thoughtful parents raised me. Because my mom was home with us, she set the bulk of the examples. I learned from the master! My goal has been to continue to practice thoughtfulness and to pass this "skill" on to my own kids. Thoughtfulness goes against our built-in selfish tendencies and there are a plethora of reasons why we don’t or can’t take the time to act on our "good intentions" of thoughtfulness.

While not being any kind of master expert, I do hope to share some ideas, successes and struggles along the journey of practicing thoughtfulness…to share the stuff of life that fills up who we are and decides our flavor. So many of my friends have (jokingly) asked when I planned to write about this subject, and one friend made herself my "just do it" accountability partner until it WAS done. Ok girls, it’s been done!

And to think it took an English muffin.

13 comments:

  1. Wow, after reading this, I agree with the book should be written. What great writing skills you have. - Doreen

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  2. Kathryn... you are off to a great start, congrats for getting the ball rolling. I'll look forward to keeping up with your blog via Google Reader (where I keep up with all of my sewing & quilting blogs).

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  3. At first I thought this was going to be about butter - and I was so excited because I LO-OVE butter (mmmmmm, it makes everything better).... But then I kept reading and saw that it *was* better than butter - much better! :) I am so glad you started blogging - thank you for sharing with us - can't wait to keep reading!

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  4. Go, Kathryn!! Can't wait to read more!

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  5. Well, Kathryn, your blog carrys me back to our snail-mail days. You've only gotten better with your flair for words. Great job for just "doing it". I know how incredibly difficult those two words can be. Keep sharing the muffins!

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  6. Nice!! i love how you expressed the eisre to practice thoughtfulness to show "the aroma" of Christ. I love that....the aroma of Christ.
    Great job. Keep on writing.

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  7. I love your blog! I was just about to send you an email to see if you had started. Thank you for sharing your heart and spirit-filled life! Keep it coming girl!

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  9. You go, girlfriend. :) Look forward to seeing more posts. Love ya! Nickie

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  10. As much as I love English muffins, I love your blog even more. You are so insightful, and so "purposefully thoughtful" to share with everyone. ~Melanie

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  11. Psalm 62:11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you O God are strong,
    and that you O Lord are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to wwhat he has done.

    U done good girl! Love you bunches!

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  12. I don't know how you have time for the GAZILLIONS of things you do. Can you share your secret to expanding time ? English muffins always make me smile, and so do you! Thanks for sharing your beautiful soul with us.

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  13. Kathryn, Just discovered this, thanks to your post on Facebook. See FB does have some redeeming qualities! Loved your blogging, especially the phrase purposefully thoughtful. I hope all of us take that away and share a little kindness this season. God Bless you as you are blessing us!

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