With all the scheduling of posts I do to accomodate my various weekly series, and my work schedule, I feel like this space often doesn't have the day to day journal feel that it has so often had. I'm hoping to get back to sharing in that manner in the days to come, but lately have really struggled to find words, and to balance the things I want to share with the world with the things that need to be treasured and guarded within me.
That said, let me share a little with you today.
This has been a really hard week. One where the highs were really high, and the lows were really low. There has been relational stuff, and work stuff, and personal stuff, and health stuff. I don't really recommend it, actually. There have been joys of experiencing new things, and struggles with family. There has been the ongoing struggle to find a healthy balance of work and social and rest, and this week has not been a success in that way.
And yet, in a way I haven't experienced in a while, I've been incredibly aware of Jesus drawing near, and offering peace. Not storms being stilled, or necessarily even shelter from the storms, but a stillness and sense of protection in the midst of the buffeting.
Last weekend Kirsten posted a beautiful tribute to her son Ewan on his first birthday. (As a side note, you really need to check out Kirsten's blog, and Ewan's story if you haven't.) One of the songs she used in the video was "Held" by Natalie Grant. Honestly, as I watched the video at the time, I was so caught up in the images she was sharing (and the tears that came in watching the tribute to her special little boy), that I wasn't paying all that much attention to the lyrics of the song. They are however, very appropriate for Kirsten and James and Ewan's story, and they have stayed with me this week.
One line in particular has played over and over in my head through this week:
"This is what it means to be held."
As I have navigated the highs and lows, the joy and the pain, I have been aware of something underlying it all. In the middle of the day on Wednesday I paused, considered that underlying sense, and had to smile. "So that's what 'peace that passes understanding' feels like." This week, as I've talked with Jesus through all the things that have gone on, I have had peace that has surprised and comforted me. I have been held. And I'm so grateful for that
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 37
Today's Daily 5:
- the smoky scent from someone's wood stove coloring the early morning air
- a warm morning instead of the bitter cold we've had recently
- the colors of sunrise out the bus window
- a night with a really good sleep
- wearing a skirt and leggings
- looking forward to some plans for rest and enjoyment on the weekend
- a good appointment
- sitting in the park to read
- good conversations with friends
- laughing at house church as sharing our weeks and studying scripture intermingled tonight
"If..." Take 5
"If you were to name the most creative outlet that you have, what would it be?"
(from "If... Questions for the Soul" by Evelyn McFarlane & James Saywell)
It seems pretty cliche to say so in this space, but blogging is definitely my most creative outlet. It's the place where my heart gets left on the page. Where I share what I'm thinking about and feeling. Where you can come to find the things that are inspiring me, the things that are making me laugh, and the things that are making my heart ache.
Journaling is a close second, though I do less of it these days. Or less of it in really traditional, write with a pen in a book, on paper, type forms.
Email falls into the same category as blogging, too, especially with my closest friends who are far away.
And then, if I was going to name other creative outlets, I'd have to include cooking and baking, photography, pinterest, reading, scrapbooking, and even my clothing some days.
What about you? What's your greatest creative outlet right now? What are ways you express the creativity of your soul?
(from "If... Questions for the Soul" by Evelyn McFarlane & James Saywell)
It seems pretty cliche to say so in this space, but blogging is definitely my most creative outlet. It's the place where my heart gets left on the page. Where I share what I'm thinking about and feeling. Where you can come to find the things that are inspiring me, the things that are making me laugh, and the things that are making my heart ache.
Journaling is a close second, though I do less of it these days. Or less of it in really traditional, write with a pen in a book, on paper, type forms.
Email falls into the same category as blogging, too, especially with my closest friends who are far away.
And then, if I was going to name other creative outlets, I'd have to include cooking and baking, photography, pinterest, reading, scrapbooking, and even my clothing some days.
What about you? What's your greatest creative outlet right now? What are ways you express the creativity of your soul?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 36
Today's Daily 5:
- Sleeping well on a night where I wasn't sure what would happen, given a number of factors that often affect my sleep
- Thankful that the voice of peace grows louder all the time, drowning out (or at least coexisting with) the fears, lies, and panic that so often threaten to overcome
- "this is how it feels to be held..."
- Warm sun on my face
- scarf wearing
- girl talk last night
- seeing a smile on someone's face
- popcorn
- reading a book on the bus
- a very much needed evening off, curled up in bed, watching some TV on DVD and catching up on some stuff that's been sliding all week
Whimsical Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It's another eclectic collection here on Whimsical Wednesday, showcasing a few of the things that caught my eye on pinterest over the last week.
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