Most mornings I am out walking and usually focused on proceeding briskly, looking for how many miles I can clock in on my cell phone health app.  My mind may flit from one thing to another, then I talk to myself and to God with some sort of an ongoing conversation.

Yesterday I decided to slow down, take my time, wander off the beaten path and keep my eyes and ears wide open to whatever might appear along the way.  An unexpected light appeared which enticed me onto the “road less traveled”.

The morning skies are quite often incredibly dramatic and beautiful.  They make me think of the Italian masters and how they were able to paint the beauty of the skies.  Truly, “the heavens are telling the glory of God”!

The scene by the pond is so stilted that it’s perfection seems almost unreal.  Yet the reflection in the water is dancing with vibrancy.  It makes me wonder about the reflection of our own lives upon the world.  Perhaps it is far more exciting and influential than we might realize.  Oh yes, remember that we are created in the image of God!  Could God possibly be present somehow in the reflection of a human life?

Surprise!  Someone has walked this path before me and left their footprints.  Who is it that has made an impact on my life?  How is my life different because of them?

Remember your baptism!  The cleansing waters bring each child home to be embraced by the everlasting arms as God proclaims, “You are mine!”  Jump in!  Splash around!  Have fun in the joy of being loved so fully!

How could something so small, so incredibly fragile, be so perfectly formed?  Remember as children how a puff of our breath could send a dandelion flying into the wind?  Ah, life is delicate, and oh so brief in the winds of eternity.  Don’t take one moment for granted, Nancy.  Treasure this beautiful gift!  And be assured that many mysteries have “the answer blowing in the wind”.

Look closely.  You will see things you might never have imagined.  Find a new perspective.  Dive deep inside the beauty of creation.  Stand on your head.  New awakenings are present for each of us everyday.  “Become like a child”, Jesus said….”that is, if you want to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Life can be beautiful.  Come walk with me!

nk

 

 

One of the dearest persons in the world to me is my sister.  We have always been close and I think she would do just about anything for me.  Here we are, trying on some fun hats, sharing a memory…

Inside my bedroom was a large picture window that opened up to the world outside.  I loved having the curtains open to the night sky,  filled with wonder and adventure.  I especially liked the lightning flashing across the darkness.  It was magical in a way, like an explosion of fireworks filling the window, bringing the outside in.  I wasn’t afraid.  I loved it actually.  Anticipation immediately was aroused, awaiting the roar of thunder.  How could such a voice burst forth out of that sky?  It was wondrously wild.  I felt the power of God.

My sister shared this room with me.  It was an intimate experience that brought us close.  We shared whatever thoughts would pop into our minds, crazy ideas and spontaneous secrets kept only between the two of us and those matching twin beds.

One night I sent her on a mission.  She always did what I told her to do!  “Go get some brownies from the kitchen.  I’ll keep the lookout post!”  She bolted for the kitchen while I lay in my bed carefully listening.  Suddenly I heard the patter of too many feet approaching.  One set of small steps were running quickly, yet not so quietly.  I could hear the panic in their approach.  Another set of footprints came louder and larger, looming danger.  “What’s that in your pajama top?”, Mama proclaims.  “Oh, my tummy hurts”, my sister whimpered as she held the mound of brownies with both hands, hiding them under her shirt.  Mama promptly takes a look…”Your tummy is going to hurt! Certainly!”

Uh oh…Busted!  With my face buried in my pillow, my head turned toward the wall, I  held the moment with my breath, pretending to be asleep.

This old song by Roger Miller keeps running through my head…

“Thunder rollin’, lightnin’  flashin’….through the middle of it I go dashin’!  Goes to show, how far I’ll go for you…   If  you want me to!”

I love you my sister!

nk