Unexpected Filling

There are seasons in life- sometimes very long seasons, that we don't always understand. We are walking but so unaware of the direction-the purpose. Emptiness & loneliness can grip us in these seasons. The heaviness resembles that of an icy capote covering winter's, sleepy branches. The heaviness- noticeable, transparent, hard, sharp- unrelenting ice cycles freezing our spirit.  During these seasons- moments; we may feel useless, fragile, forgotten, unworthy, frozen in time.  The questions come, the doubt kicks in, fear invades, hopelessness looms.  WITH ALL THE STRENGTH WE CAN MUSTER; WE MUST REMIND OURSELVES that WE ARE NEVER WALKING ALONE. There may be parts of the road that the sole of our shoes touch-a personal imprint formed; where pain is felt at the deepest level of  the soul and spirit, but WE ARE NEVER ON THE JOURNEY ALONE.  This imprint often changes us, challenges us, frustrates & overwhelms us, depletes us, baffles us...; but it can sometimes unite us. We can find strength in a stranger, laughter in a child-who can help us smile, we can find someone on the road that we link arms with- and STAND. As we watch and listen-  we can find unexpected renewal. As we watch and listen-  LOVE accompanies us on the journey.  LOVE (in many forms, many faces & resources) gently, tenderly helps refill our reservoir of hope, trust, mental & emotional fortitude.  In time, we began to feel less fragile, more steady, surprisingly calm-REPLENSHED.
In that replenshment and after respite; we are inclined to look for others in those hard places-dark places,  and we shine a light of possibility.
We've walked through the unimaginable, and WE ARE STILL STANDING.
WE REMEMBER, WE HONOR, WE LOVE, WE HELP,  WE STAND.

~Pamela Hagens

Afternoon Rest

A few days back, I had the pleasure of taking in a few minutes of the Fall season. The colors were spectacular, the breeze steady and refreshing, and the companionship memorable.  I was in the company of two very special young ladies-one German, one Norwegian. Their combined wisdom totaled 198 years. The moments with these two beautiful Jewels were Kodak scrap book memories for the heart and the spirit.  The 95 year young gem- in a delicate cream blouse, pink dress slacks with pink nail polish, and a touch of make up- was gentle and sweet;  the 103 year young gem- in a casual blue pastel shirt,  blue jeans with plain nails, and without make up- was calm and tender. These distinguished  ladies with a different attire for the afternoon, different life experiences, different backgrounds  sat comfortably  with one another - I embraced the wonder of their company. I marveled at the bigness of their life. I could feel their love, see their perseverance, hear a splash of their experiences and challenges, and observe the wisdom of time etched on their face. We talked a little, but mainly sat quietly enjoying the ease of our time together. These two gracious ladies were glad to share my company and did not want to occupy to much of my day. I tried to share in an indirect way that there was no other place at that moment that I wanted to be, and that they were sharing with me- the best part of my day. We did not solve any world problems, did not talk of how things were long ago, nor mentioned how things looked at this time period; we simply drank in the sweet flavor of the moment for our tender hearts. We took a snapshot together- I in the middle- this energetic, African American, female half their age; and yet we blended beautifully. I realized that under the big blue, with a continuous breeze, picturesque backdrop of Fall in it's fullness; there was something really special happening. They welcomed the visit, enjoyed the company, and I felt content. It seemed at that moment; we all felt loved, safe, understood, accepted, encouraged, and blessed. I will open that scrapbook when I feel out of step, out of place, and overwhelmed with the moments of life. LORD, help me to remember your kisses of refreshing.

Weee Morn Moment

My heart focused on a Sunday God Kiss- A verse in a song:
 'WHEN THE NIGHT IS HOLDING ON TO ME, GOD IS HOLDING ME THROUGH THE NIGHT'.
We don't get to choose the degree of our night-when it will come, how long it will last, nor how often it visits; But we have A NIGHT WATCHMAN that gives just enough light, comfort, relief, tenderness... until the break of dawn comes.  And we trust/rely on Him a little more in each dark period.
My heart visit these words: Revelations 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes: and there will no longer be any death: there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Revelations 22:5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because THE LORD GOD will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
~The God Kiss was sweet,gentle~

Still Learning, Still Growing

Still Learning, Still Training, Still Growing
I wanted to pen a recent 8 mile training run. Maybe just express some road lessons, life helps, spiritual undertones.
For starters, an 8 mile early Saturday outing may not be your cup of tea, may be a bit much for some, and for other road running warriors-it is a sneeze; But when you're out there just trying to be consistent-IT'S SIGNIFICANT!
On those early mornings when the legs are still wishing to rest, the training groups typically meet up at a designated place for sign in, course direction(maps of the running course), & to find a group to pace you for the big day.  I've learned to grab the course map just in case- I've misread the route a few times & I've also arrived  late; both experiences have lead to my running more than scheduled and running all by my lonesome.
LEARNING: Stay close to the others when you're not sure where you're going. Make sure you have
directions, arrive on time-things start whether you're there or not.
This morning I tucked the directions in my jacket pocket.  I had arrived as the last training group was being released.  I was okay--I had made it. I didn't connect with a group, so I planned to just run with groups randomly. I had passed a few, was behind many, but the sun was out and it felt good. Not far into the run, I missed a turn that was not clearly marked. Uugh, not again! One minute I could see folks out front, I had just passed some; but now I was alone. I crossed a street that we had already ran-
I kept running. Started heading toward an isolated area-still kept running. Feeling frustrated that once again I had missed a turn- I told myself I was okay. It's not easy trying to read and run.
I noticed someone in the distance-bright colored jacket--Aaww-it's all good. There's another runner, an approaching biker possibly, or a service worker waiting to begin their day. I couldn't make out the figure, but I heard a soft voice tell me to turn around--I kept running. I heard the voice louder now---"You've lost the group, and there's no one ahead but the person you see---TURN AROUND NOW"!
It was as if I saw the figure in the distance and he saw me. I DID WHAT THE VOICE SAID!
I don't know if I was in danger, but something did not feel right. I immediately did a U-TURN, and thanked The Voice for speaking clear, loud, & firm.
LEARNING: Be in tune with the caution signs (warning signs). If it doesn't feel safe--maybe it's not.
Watch what's  ahead of you.
I doubled back - catching up to groups that I had recently passed. I noticed it took a lot more effort to catch them than it did the first time. I huffed out that I had missed a turn--they encouraged me--"it happens."
LEARNING: Sometimes in life you may pass some folks--be respectful; they may be the expression of kindness when you get back on track.
A little further into the run, I reached for the directions in my pocket---NOT THERE. Oh REALLY!
The little piece of paper had slipped out--I knew it was not deep enough, but I could retrieve it quickly in my outer jacket pocket.
LEARNING: Hide the Word deep, remember some of the turns before you get to them.
I was nearing the last 3 miles - I was not doing more than my 8 miles today.   Aahh,  a sigh of relief as I caught up to three runners.  SOOO glad to see them! They too, encouraged me as I passed by.
LEARNING: If you can't find a chord of three, that's not easily broken-find at least  find one.
There's direction, accountability, motivation, encouragement, companionship, & safety in the company of others.

I  coasted in the last mile,picked up the pace as I neared the end, & I reflected more as I regrouped;
-Traveling companions are important.  -Fellowship is refreshing-pleasant.    - Encouragement is vital at some point on the road.   -There are times that you will get off course, get turned around, get confused.   -Be open to the voice within you.
SPIRITUAL NUGGETS:
 -Training is necessary.   -You will make mistakes, Let others encourage you.
 -Don't forget to share encouragement on the journey.  -Be kind to those you pass.
 - Don't give up-the end is within reach.  -When you reach the finish line, take time to reflect on the process.
 -Real Life begins when we cross over---WHEN WE HEAR WELL DONE.
                                       

Morning Kiss
While out with a training group for an early morning run, I experienced this sweet encounter.
I got lost from the group about half way through the run and ended up going a little farther than I planned.As I was heading  back to home base,  I noticed a lady and her dog coming toward me crossing  a normally busy street, that was quiet at the time. She gently lead her canine companion as he very, very slowly  put one foot in front of the other. His head seem to be bent toward the ground. All I could say was- Lord bless him.  Me feeling tired and cold, I was just trying to make it back to my starting point. Exhausted, I asked his age as I approached them. We were all going slow enough for a quick verbal exchange.
 She said he was 16. Have you had him since birth I inquired - she
responded " I've had him the whole time." THERE WAS THAT MORNING KISS! Her response made me smile, keep the steady pace, dig into the last leg of  the run, tuck my head, and move a little easier  into the home stretch.
That experience stayed on my mind and in my spirit the rest of the evening ---As we get tired, hit the places in life where we can barely put one foot in front of the other, maybe ponder if we will make it, where every step takes so much effort and strength, for some who have traveled long--
maybe even  in the autumn  season of life;  GOD IS THERE  - leading, gently helping us-creating a path for us,  loving us, & reminding us--- THAT HE HAS HAD US THE WHOLE TIME.

Shattered Heart

When the heart is shattered and dreams halted, I am yet learning, there is only One who can gather the broken pieces while we try to understand the unbelievable. The Father is willing and able to gently & tenderly remind us that He Is real, He is present, & always persistent in His love for us.
When the heart is shattered, and the loss is more than the mind can understand; we can feel lost - feel that life will never be the same. Loss can be a tiring wilderness. The cloud of loneliness and the fire of grief  can deprive our spirit of oxygen; but in the wilderness we can discover a deeper sense of God's presence, an awareness of new relationships,  increased sensitivity to surroundings, people, & causes. TRUST. Trust through the night, trust through the mystery. Believe that you can be better-feel better. Hope that there will be Light.  Speak in the brokenness-by getting up, getting reconnected, getting tired of being tired, speak with your transparency, speak with your tears; with whatever ounce of strength you can muster SPEAK. In your brokenness SPEAK. The Creator takes the delicate broken pieces and designs a special crystal-an exquisite crystal that can show his grace, mercy, & beauty. From our brokenness  we can be shown how to love a new.  As we surrender, let go, give up ,ask for help-there is One who is waiting to extend His strength. He went toe to toe with death to secure our freedom, and  He will go toe to toe at our appointed time of struggle  to rescue us; To rescue us from loss- loss of a loved one, marriage, career, reputation, dreams... He will be our Victor if we allow Him.

2016!!
Expressions that I have heard in passing that help me see clearer: 'Time Marches On, Being In My Lane, Stretched Beyond Comfort, Wear Life Loosely, Weather Can Be Bitey-Good People Believable & Life-- Beautiful, Big Hearts Heal Deep Hurts, If You Can Get Past An Offense-There Is Always Something Special On The Other Side, Don't Be Afraid Of Detours, Sometimes Pain Positions Us For A Greater Plan, Pure Motives Propel A Prosperous Relationship, Failing Is Fruitful. There are more, but I will pause here.
In 2016, one acronym I will truly strive for is: LOP (LOVING ON PURPOSE).
For you I wish Hope, Health, & Him [John 3:16].