So many times, we're told that we are the writers of our future, but after some reflection... I think we're most likely...not. Oh, we like to imagine we have a little control - What shall I eat? what shall I wear? and even... Who shall I marry? But then, realization dawns - a foggy sunrise. We cannot control whether our very next breath will arrive. It is automatic, and we were not given the keys to that ignition. So I think... in the big picture, our imagined control is just to placate us. However, it can be very freeing to realize you are a character in the story, and not the author. It is especially encouraging when you summarily realize, that your particular author is a best-seller, and clearly, already has the plot all figured out! Thank you for joining me on my 28 day birthday month celebration. It has been a challenge, but also a unique experience, and I'm pleased with myself for completing it. Thank you also for all your kind words and encouragement...they have made it all feel extra special. 🙂
Tag Archives: coping
Self-Helpless
I am the opposite of "self-help" - I am here to say that you cannot do it on your own. You are not strong enough, or powerful enough, or even really smart enough. Not you. Not in your own human-ness. So I wonder why - there are so many self-help books that essentially repeat the same mantra. You. You. You. When it's never been you it's always been WHO. Who do you put your trust in? From where do you get your inner power? If it's you, then, oh dear, how fallible. If it's Darkness, then oh my, how temporary. But- if it's the Light of the world, then Oh yes, how powerful.
Direct My Path
We wander through the woods of our lives, tripping, winding, pulling away branches, and getting caught in the brambles. It is a long road. A rough road. And then, a clearing up ahead. We breathe the sweet nectar of the open field, feel the sunshine, and cooling breeze. It feels like heaven. But the dark woods draw us back, and soon we find ourselves, tangled, tired, and bruised. All the while, the Lord goes before us, clearing the path, absorbing the blows, and wishing we would only take His hand, so He could lead us to the next clearing, and the path of His design. Even so, He walks ahead. Never forsaking us and our chosen pathway. Even when He knows His is easier, He allows us to choose. And then He clears the way. Happy Birthday to me, and my dear friend Olivia, and all the other souls who celebrate their arrival on this earth today. We made it. Keep walking the path, the destination is more beautiful than we can possibly imagine.
The Perfect Cup of Tea
Metaphorically, true friendship is... a good hair day, the perfect cup of tea - no red lights on the way to work, and the first night of sleep on freshly washed sheets. Socially, it's a smile at the caller ID, a long conversation full of honesty, and empathy - and the ability to pick up where you left off... after two hours, two days, or four months. Emotionally, it's companionable silence where words are not necessary, laughing at the ridiculous when it is, and prayers in - and through, the pain. Essentially, true friendship is the ability to be your utterly weird, and wonderful self, and feel perfectly and completely at home. Celebrating all of the wonderful people who let me be my weird little self, but especially my friend Candy, who is having a birthday today, and who is learning to love tea as much as I do. 🙂
New Life
At first glance, you would not consider furniture as an item needing rescue. But it is. They do. Cooped up, buried under garbage and piles of paper and humidity - A table, a chair, sits - waiting to be remembered to be cared for - to be clean. It is made from material that was once alive - and after being plucked from purgatory, and given a new home, it almost audibly sighs with relief and gratitude for the gift of new life. Useful, Hopeful, and Wanted, but most of all, Restored, in every sense of the word.
The Gift of Time
One of the greatest gifts the Lord has bestowed to us, is the gift of time. And the greatest gift we can give Him in return - is how we spend that time. We can fritter it away, or pile it up with study, or work, or mindless activity. But what He would love, what He would ultimately prefer - is if we just took a deep breath, and said, "I'd really just like to spend my time with You."
Dinosaur
Dino-saur. Dino-Roar. Why do we obsess over that which scares us? To regain power? Control? "We never had control." But! We always have the power. Fear is what we allow it to be. Whether it's the dark, or spiders, or a large, scaly lizard that ROARS. Dedicated to my first best friend and cousin, who shares my love of Dinosaurs, and so many childhood memories, and whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Lauren!
The Walls of Jericho
Those who lie build walls - they carefully construct their version of truth. They shellack the stones and settle inside their forts of deception. Until. A still, small voice says, "Enough." And then another voice And another. Until finally, the noise is so deafening - that the walls come crumbling down. Jericho is taken, once again. Written last year after the inspirational moment a local woman went public with her decades long pain.
Bless Me With Indifference
Betrayal is a heavy stone that weighs down the pockets of my mind. It frays the seams, and nudges other more important thoughts out of my soul. It wearies me, worries me and begs for my attention. The wounds cut even deeper when the Betrayer has gloated to others about the success of their crime. I pray for relief and for release - through forgiveness first, and finally, the blessing of Indifference where pain ceases, and peace begins. Another moment from the archives of last year. I had a LOT of feelings to work through, and I'm grateful for the time of reflection.
A Great Man
Which is better? Or should I say - Which is worse? To befriend a great man, and un-appreciate his greatness - OR To meet your hero... and see him fall - unceremoniously - off his pedestal? Both are shameful, I suppose - We are all human - Great & Good & Weak & Bad. If only the scales would balance - and we could recognize the difference immediately... what a great deal of misplaced affection we would avoid.
Ashley Raymer-Brown 