Thursday, April 18, 2013

Growth...

The other night it thundered so hard we both woke startled and wondered if the window panes were still intact. Reassured we snuggled in close and morning came with this soft misty light and the first true green 2013 has ever seen. Wonderful, brilliant green. How we've missed you!
 And all of the sudden life just teems everywhere. Tender buds I hardly remember from the year before. Strange how seasons fold into one another so quickly, effortlessly, and yet so distinctly different from their predecessor. I've been struck with how my excitement for each one's coming also fades so quickly into a let's-move-on-to-the-next attitude. Why not enjoy each one, each day as if it were the first?
 So I challenged myself after a long workday to take my iphone out to the half mile gravel track near our apartment and breathe in this fresh spring air. The telephone poles and street lights marked my way in the dark and it was so invigorating. So worth it! 
I find that in these spontaneous free-spirit adventures, the choices seem easier and the rewards more sure. No matter my path or how far I run, I will have accomplished something worthwhile, if not to anyone else, at least to me. My mind will be refreshed, my body rejuvenated, my breath will be spent and full. Why not take this attitude into all my decisions? All our plans?
Take them as a brand new adventure 
with only good things to come and new paths to discover. Let our hearts be moved by each new 'season' of life and welcome them with open arms. Seasons come and go and that is the nature of life and every choice we make. I must learn to embrace them with open arms and an open heart. I must savor each one and take on the challenges as they come. Nothing lasts forever and change is inevitable. 
But so is growth...



Friday, April 5, 2013

In this moment...

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us - set us right with him, make us fit for him - we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. 


There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles  can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. 


In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary - we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

Romans 5:1-5, The Message