Dear Reader:
Isn’t it strange how you can hear or read something and you nod but move on….and then later in life find yourself identifying with every verse written? That happened to me when I came across the poem “Slow Me Down Lord.” I remember putting it on the blog a few years ago and smiling to myself about the truth behind it…but this time I felt my soul was reading it aloud to me.
Slow Me Down Lord
Slow me down Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart
by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace
with a vision of the eternal march of time.
Give me amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of the eternal hills.
Break the tension of my nerves and muscles
with the soothing music of the singing streams
that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations,
Of slowing down to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend,
to pat a dog,
to read a few lines of a good book.
Slow me down Lord
and inspire me to send my roots
deep into the soil of life’s enduring values
that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
…………………………………
The poem is right where I am now :“Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams
that live in my memory” reminds me of the little spring behind St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope….what wonderful memories I associate with its soothing sounds streaming over rocks and stones.
Brooke, you would have been jealous….all those troublesome barrels on Highway 61 were gone and a freshly tarred road took us to the eye surgery center. We did see a few trees down but someone must have been out early moving them onto the side of the highway. It was “Clear Sailing”….and even tropical depression “Julia” cooperated by vacating the coast so we had a nice dry trip to and from the surgery center.
This time the only obstacle was Anne’s car, itself, that we nicknamed Contrary for the elite group of Plains Indians who lived their lives backwards. If they were told to ‘come here’….they walked away, hot meant cold, speak up mean be silent…their whole lives were spent doing just the opposite of what the situation required.
Anne’s “Contrary” car we think might be dyslexic…she went to push her seat back and it threw her forward against the steering wheel, her visor keeps falling down blocking her vision, her roof upholstery is falling down, rolled down windows roll back up….you get it. A crazy ride to and from the surgery center.
I was the first one there, got called back, and was in surgery before eight this time….it was 9:00 on the dot when we walked back in the house. We ate a very early brunch/lunch with turkey and ham sandwiches and then I walked outside to speak to my neighbor, Vickie and tell Anne good-bye. Look at Vickie’s and my rose bush….fourth blooming this year.
So until tomorrow…Anne said she knew everything would be okay yesterday when she read this line of scripture from her daily devotional for me: My God Wink for the Day (or so I thought)
Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
*God wasn’t through with me and God Winks about Light. Last night, on a “whim” (a little after 7:00) I went outside and was immediately drawn by the most unusual but intoxicatingly beautiful sunset filled with pinks and oranges.
I, then, looked up and there was a rainbow-(God’s promise to me that He is with me all the time)….two minutes later it was gone…but I saw it and then all kinds of beautiful lights began popping as I snapped photos of God’s Light while a soft rain (that came out of nowhere) fell on me. “In Your Light, we see Light.”
It is God’s rainbow telling me (like the dolphin earlier) that all is well with the world….and everything is just as it should be.
What had originally caught my attention was the way the fading sunlight was catching certain branches on the towering tall pines and setting one branch aglow on each tree….like gold….like this:
*Yesterday, upon returning from eye surgery I saw where I had a recording from my surgeon’s office reminding me of my appointment Monday at 1:30. So it looks like that is how I will learn the results of the surgery/pathology report. Just wanted to let you know.
ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Becky, I awoke this morning (5:00am) with bright moonlight shining through my window. Another God wink that all is well. Thinking of you in the waiting… Love, Janet
Janet Bender
Sent from my iPhone
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God is winking faster and faster now…and I am holding tighter and tighter….nothing is prettier than moonlight shining through a bedroom window….going to be a good day! Thanks for all your encouragement! Love you Janet.
Your pictures are so beautiful. The one with the rainbow should be blown up and framed just to remind us that God is so great. (There is no artist who can truly capture the colors that He makes. And just think, he paints a whole sky in just a matter of minutes, erases it in a moment and paints it again even more beautiful..Wow!) The one with your rose bush and the almost red sky could be printed too. In fact, you could take so many of your pictures of God’s artwork and make one of those books (snap fly or something?) filled with your photographs. (Just saying…as if you don’t already have enough to do.) I’m sure you are anxious to get Monday’s appt. behind you. Just remember there are a lot of prayers “going up” for you, and He has never let your hand go since you heard Him that day.
Have been having trouble responding on WordPress but suddenly found this avenue to respond on…..Jo…you amaze me with your wisdom and common sense….the perfect combination! Can hardly wait to hear your thoughts because I find myself nodding my head in agreement while I read. Thank you for your wise words, your kind words, and your prayer words….I feel them every day! Love, Becky
Loved the blog and the wonderful pictures. Remember the first time I took you toThe Chapel? We had a rainbow ! All will be well my friend. Love you lots and lots😍
That’s right Honey….another great God Wink….plus I just finished up my second post eye surgery check-up and Dr. Scarlet is thrilled with both my eyes….just perfect. Grandmother Wilson told me all good things came in three’s so I just need one more good surgical report Monday!
Becky,
I learn so much every time I read your messages. They inspire me to look beyond my own pain and worry and remember there is still much beauty and joy to be head. When I was learning to drive my dad would say 10 times a trip, Susan, don’t hold the wheel so tightly if you give it a little slack it will be much easier to steer. He also turned off the radio and forbade me to wave or blow the horn(which was my favorite thing to do) concentrate on where you are going, he would say. I did learn to drive a stick shift and that really made me pay attention. Even though I tried to do all those things there were rocks in the road to try to go around, or detours from the only way I knew to go. I’ve been lost so many times it ridiculous. Now we have gps to help us navigate and cell phones to call for help. I know have a back up monitor that blairs at me if I’m about to hit something. It mostly makes me nervous. I have learned that even though you plan and pay attention life takes you in a different direction. Things appear that you never expected. However there are still beautiful mountains and sunsets to enjoy. Friends to accompany you on many of your journeys and God sitting right next to you even if it doesn’t always feel like it. You have the kindest spirit and grace for all of us that lose their way sometimes. I’ve never seen you without a smile or a warm greeting. I know you understand grief and pain. But when I look at you I only see hope, love and gratitude. I’m glad you got ur 2nd eye repaired. Guys probably have been thinking you were winking at them. You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I’m thrilled to soon be co-mothers with you. I love and admire you so and am grateful Kaitlyn found her way into ur family. Hugs to you.
Susan, What a beautiful message and a great metaphor for life!!! I, too, am happy to have another friend-in-love and watch the family grow. I have turned everything over to God and letting Him take it from here….He does a much better job with problems than I do. Love you. Becky
Mom, I love this story! Write a book! Xoxoxox