Dear Reader:
Spring Creek runs behind and around St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope… thus giving its name to the small community that calls this area home…the Spring Creek Community.
Most of the time the creek creates a soothing meditative state when one visits the grounds surrounding the chapel….What is it about water falling over rocks that soothes our jangled nerves and replaces our agitated state of mind with peace and contentment?
However, the owner (who bought the “estate” from the earlier owners- the Barutios) experienced a flash flood, brought on by melting snows one spring, soon after his purchase. The chapel was saved rather miraculously from the potential flood and the event even slightly changed the course of the creek’s natural design. The “flow” was interrupted.
To infrequent visitors this slight altercation isn’t obvious or apparent….the creek is still “babbling” its melodious tunes as the wind and rocks accompany it.
Isn’t this true of life….we humans design our future, make our plans…only to discover that “floods” and other “natural disasters” come along and change the direction we always thought we were headed?
I like the message in this following excerpt from a HuffPost Healthy Living article titled: “ What We Resist Persists: The Beauty of Going with the Flow” by Dawn Gluskin.
Life doesn’t always give us what we want, but it sure gives us what we need. It’s funny how that happens. Sometimes, we’re so sure about how things are supposed to play out that we fight, kicking and screaming, any deviation of the plan that comes our way. Oddly enough, the more we resist, the more it persists and the harder we make it on ourselves. It’s like trying to swim upstream against a strong current. Our arms and legs move furiously, but we get nowhere. We end up completely exhausted and out of breath.
While I truly believe that the choices we make and even the thoughts we think all matter greatly and affect the outcome of our existence, I also believe there is also another force at work and our role is actually more of a co-creator in our own lives. We all have unique gifts to offer the world, and certain passions that lie inside of us wanting to get out. This is our soul’s work. Our calling. It’s what makes us feel totally alive. The universe wants and needs us to do this work. In our daily lives, we’re constantly given signs to try to lead us to our higher self, enabling us to leave a positive impact on the world.
I think we are given clues by our Creator to guide us in the pursuit of living out our individual passions but the problem lies within us…when we see a change to the script we have already written for ourselves we have a tendency to pout like little children and stubbornly steer away from direction changes nudging and knocking on the door of our consciousness.
Until…sometimes it does indeed take a natural disaster or even “flash flood” to move us into the next alternative flow of life. And sometimes our “wants” have to take a backseat to our “needs” as God, so wisely, understands.
Archibald Rutledge shares this beautiful anecdote about a moment in time that changed a life through the voice of a mockingbird.
Rutledge’s friend was gravely ill so Archibald decided he wanted to be with him on this critical night in time. He pulled up a chair beside his friend (covered in quilts on the bed despite balmy spring weather) and they began to share some memories….but suddenly everything stopped with the song of a mockingbird.
“As I sat beside him, a mockingbird began to sing in the moonlight, chanting divinely. I knew the song reached our spirits. On the table by the bed were all the necessities for a sick man; he had small comfort from them. But the moonlight, and the hale fragrances, and the wild song of the bird-these brought peace to his heart.”
(Long afterward he said to me.)
“Do you remember that night? I thought it would be my last. But from the time the birdsong came through that window, I felt that I would get well. I don’t talk much about these things, but I felt all that beauty and peace were really the love of God. I guess He does not love us with words: He loves us by giving us everything WE NEED-in every way…when we need it.”
So until tomorrow…Let’s start adding pencils and erasers to our daily lives…so when the interruptions to “our plans” come along (and believe me…they will!) we can erase our human errors and add God’s new direction to our lives.
“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh
*It dawned on me yesterday that it has been exactly two weeks since the first “bug” hit me and since that time I feel like the poor antelope that wanders too far away from the rest of the herd (on the Serengeti) and becomes a target for every predator lurking…hidden and ready to pounce. I do believe whatever I have had has morphed into different formations over the past two weeks.” It has definitely been a bit of a challenge.
Yesterday when I considered the length of time….two weeks since first getting hit with the first virus…I thought to myself…Just two weeks…I feel like I have been sick for months now.
The hardest part, however, is realizing that I haven’t seen the grandchildren for two weeks. Now that really does seem like months. I want to make sure that I am not contagious and can’t pass something around again. None of the family needs one more “bug” at this point in time. Love you Eva Cate, Rutledge, Jakie, and Lachlan….Boo Boo is (hopefully) almost over her “Boo Boo Owie.” Soon!!!
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ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
“His eye is on the sparrow…and I know He watches me”…one of my favorite hymns…
Mine too.
Good morning, Becky,
I hope you are feeling better today and will soon be able to visit with your grandchildren. I know how important being around them is! Nothing like it!
Much love,
Sis
I am slowly getting there…but must admit that this series of “bug” attacks have done a number on me….am so ready to be up and out….getting really tired of my own company!
I pray you will be well soon! Spring Bugs always seem to be the worst.
Love to you!Honey
So true Honey! It reminds me of Grandmother Wilson going through the obituaries….I would hear her muttering about this one or that one and shaking her head….and say something along the effect of “My my…we can get through the long hard cold winters but as soon as spring comes….we drop like flies.” The obituaries always appeared to double in early spring….much to grandmother’s delight…a good cup of coffee and the obituary section of the paper was “highlight” in a farmer’s wife’s life.
Surely sorry to hear the “bug invasion” is still hanging around. Try not to push yourself too soon though. You are smart to take the time you need to get well, even if you are doing it to protect others. I attended a Retreat centered around Jonah this past week-end, and part of the message was sometimes we need to take time just to relax, reflect and reevaluate. Maybe you need time to rest and relax. I read the poem, “Footprints in the Sand”, and it reminded me that God is carrying us when we feel at our lowest. Lean back in His arms, feel the power of His love and relax. Praying for you.
Jo…so beautifully said. I am more than ready to lean back and relax….letting God take charge…I wonder if He does “backs.”?
My 86 year old mother’s cousin has been sick for a couple of weeks. She called mom this week and since mom was out left the following message, “Evelyn, I’m just calling to let you know that you no longer have to hunt for a black dress to wear to my funeral, I’m feeling a bit better today.” Mom returned the call and when Sarah answered mom said, “Sorry I missed your call, I was at the thrift store looking for a black dress!” Some humor to lift your spirits, prayers for a speedy recovery, and lots of love from my heart to yours. ❤️
Oh that is too funny…I can see Grandmother Wilson all over that story…she would have cackled and cackled! Love it!