Comments on: The Beauty of All Things

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:37:29 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about January, Lanier. It’s “odd”, isn’t it, the way God sometimes brings a lot of the SAME advice from friends, books, blogs, etc. into our lives in just a few days or weeks? Methinks tis time to listen – and obey. After a long season of giving, I think I’ve finally realised that this month and next month are blessings of quietness and stillness in which to receive from God and prepare to give again. Without receiving from Him, there can be no giving to others. Thank you, especially, for the words of confirmation you share the very end: “Not yet” – a very lovely way of saying, “Wait, in stillness and quietness, a little bit longer …”

May this month be a month of receiving for you, too – and of abundant, wonderful blessing!

By: Josie Ray

Josie Ray — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:33:55 +0000

Beautifully expressed, Lanier. With your friend, I have long said, “January is my quiet month.” Nature’s down-time and mine. It’s odd how I have to fiercely defend it (along with the latter half of the Twelve Days of Christmas) from all those who want to aggressively tackle the New Year on January 1.

Keeping Christmas until the sixth takes some of the wind out of their sails. Leaving up a tree or two through January and making a batch of Christmas cookies in mid-January that everyone except you had time to eat in December breaks through to them that it’s not “out with the old and in with the new.” And that it’s NOT National Weight-loss Month or Closet-cleaning Month as all the ads and magazines would have us think. Not “dash heedlessly from last year into the next,” but, rather, a blissful time of peace, quiet, slowness…

How I love the long, dark nights when there’s extra dark to in which to go to bed early and/or sleep late. To shut down the senses and rushing thoughts once the eyes can no longer see unaided. To not bounce out of bed in the morning, but reach languidly for a book or simply stare at the ceiling, mentally clearing the day instead of filling it. Only in beautiful, blessed January!

Oh, I’ll be stir-crazy by March , but that’s all part of the experience. So is nature stir-crazy by March, I think.

By: Mrs. M

Mrs. M — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:58:53 +0000

Lanier,
You gave me a beautiful way to think of January. In rushing to start a new year, I have been overlooking the comforts and beauty of this season. Thankyou for your pleasant reminder. Mrs.M

By: Dahna Stowers

Dahna Stowers — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:37:45 +0000

Thank you Lanier for a whole new perspective…Love, Dahna:)

By: Rebecca in Lancaster, PA

Rebecca in Lancaster, PA — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:03:25 +0000

Hello! I’ve been enjoying your blog for months but haven’t commented. I couldn’t resist this post. January is my favorite month of the year for just the reason you suggested. What a blessed rest after the whirl of November/December! I consider it The Month of the Sewing Room. My sewing room is a golden yellow and there are interesting piles-in-progress all around. I’m headed there now….

Thank you for such a lovely, thoughtful blog.