Reclaim: All that is Good.

Reclaim all that is good, Lord. Reclaim the things that I love the most. Reclaim all that is good.

When my mom died, it seems all of a sudden the things that created the most beauty in me are now the things that make me sad. Which seems controversial, because many of them aren't even in reference to her. But in my mind she was all that is good. She was beauty and sensibility, she was encouragement and wisdom, she was laughter and tears, she was spirit and real, she was all that is good. So somehow that connects with my heart and soul, and when I am in the midst of them, a psychological sadness occurs beyond my control and makes me sad.

Reclaim all that is good, Lord. The beautiful meal spread before me, of honey pancakes poke-a-dotted with bananas and spread with peanut butter. Of lingering reading under purple throws next to the fireside in my house. Of creating beautiful food, skilleted with roasted green and red and orange and yellow peppers, sliced red onion, kernels of corn, dashes of spices -- whatever I choose to throw -- and dices of chicken all splashed together. Reclaim the morning light that peeks through my window when I'm still huddled in bed. Reclaim my journal, my cup of tea. Reclaim my favorite meals at restaurants out to eat. Reclaim my Africa heart, my spirit of giving and living and fighting for all that is right. Reclaim my walks in places that calm my heart, the lingering streets of downtown Holland or strolling sidewalks of EGR, dotted with feminine boutiques and the goodness of ice cream on warm seasoned days. Reclaim my Anne Taylor Loft, my Target, my Maries. Reclaim my hikes across sand dunes and lunches with friends. Reclaim all that is good.

In these days, Lord, reclaim all that is good. You cradle my mom, you have my good. But in my quietness, please slowly also reclaim all that is good, here.