Teachable Spirit

I've dreamed of this place

away from my present landscape...

where I'd be enveloped

by the "loud quietness" of an
undisturbed canvas of grace.

The movement of the Lake
carries an energy & overflows 
with lessons.
I've dreamed of this place

and arrive with a teachable spirit. 

Speak, Lord,  for your daughter is listening
and silent reverence is His offering.  

The turning, rising and flowing

of the lake encouraging me to exhale. 

To be still and release the many

knots in my spirit. 

The water gently moves in time 
with the rhythm of  my heartbeat.

And I hear a whisper from God ... 
Boundless Possibilities are for the taking. 

When the water is still,
the awesomeness of my view is magnified.
Vibrant colors, trees that line the lake,
sky above and life below the water
are reflected like a mirror on the surface - 
multiplying the beauty before me.

I inhale deeply and hear God whisper...
Receive this benediction of peace.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The lake and its water continue to offer lessons to my thirsting soul.

- Patience in all things.

- Humility vs Pride.

- Mindfulness of triggers that do not Magnify my Life.

- Grasping will not allow me to receive with openness.

And the greatest gift from the lakes' transforming water 

is to bring home that which has been my healing.   

       Living each lesson learned - 

       not as if borrowed - but mine for the taking.

Speak, Lord,  for your daughter is listening.

Living Large

A path stretches before me.  In the distance are snow-covered peaks glistening in brilliant sunlight.  The road seems to know my name and asks, “Well, are you going to stay where you are? Or are you going to trust?”  I can see this road is not smooth.  It dips low in places and ascends high around the bend.  My longing to reach those peaks must be travelled with no shortcuts.  The assignment is to follow, allowing the path to be my guide.  

*********

Quite often, I move toward the familiar.  Setting a course in the direction of what comes easy. My struggles are real and courage is needed every step of the way. I dare not be adventurous or risk the heartbreak of defeat.  Chains of my own making are placed upon my feet.  The temptation to stay where I am comfortable, surrounded by the familiar - is very strong. 

But this attitude does nothing but shrink the very world before me.  It makes my life small - and small does not serve me!

My longing to Live Large breaks me from this mindset.  Daring and challenging myself to venture toward those snow-covered peaks on the horizon – I welcome the twists & turns, the strange, and the marvelous. The voice accompanying me shouts, “Welcome to the only road that matters.”

I don’t know where I’m going and I don’t know what will be there.  But a radiant light shines brightly in the distance - encouraging me to live above my circumstances.   I let the heights beckon me onward, all the while staying close to the path.

                                                                

"Life has no limitations except the ones you make"

Ken and I set out on an adventure - we will leave for the month of March.  Ken working from his office in NC as I relax in warmer temps.  
~Bring on the wonder - Bring on the joy~

The Smith's Christmas Card

The Smith’s Christmas card just arrived. The Reilly Family meticulously written with the help of a calligraphy pen (no Avery printed label affixed to their envelope).   I turn it over and upon close examination find the return address has the same handwritten script lettering. 

The card is simple, adored with a winter scene.  Our full names again, neatly printed inside ~ To Christine, Ken and Family, followed by a short, Merry Christmas! message.  “We certainly must be very special… to receive such a lovely card from The Smith’s.” 

But every year, when the card comes in the mail - I am completely flabbergasted.  You see I have little to no remembrance of The Smith’s.  Somewhere down the line, our lives intersected and we were added to their Christmas Card List.   I would venture to say we have received a personalized card for the past 15 years.  I can’t help but imagine Mrs. Smith smiling with memories of us, as she puts the stamp on the envelope of their card.  I envision The Smith’s getting to our name on their list - excited to reach out with some holiday wishes.  “From our Home – To Your Home.”  But without fail their sentiments go unanswered - as I have never mailed a card back. (Remember, I barely have the faintest recollection of who they are).

This brings up an ongoing debate between Ken & myself.  It has to do with our Christmas Card List.  Every year new friends and extended family members earn a place on our list as a testament to the relationships we hold dear.  Now comes the point of contention… when are families removed from the list?   

Ken holds firm to the Smiths’ notion of Never!  On the other hand, I believe in the ebb and flow of life…. There are certain people who cross your path for a period of time.  Usually for a reason – and exit as swiftly as they arrived.   In my mind, it is fitting that after a few years with no interaction – the name gets axed from the List.  (Yes, I’ve been told “Harsh” is my middle name).

But this year, the Smith’s Christmas card has me thinking differently….

Some of the beauty of the season is recalling Christmas’s past – evoking memories – remembering people on the journey – extending love and good cheer.  Maybe, just maybe the Smith’s have it right! Once a family’s name is included on your Christmas List – it should remain there forever.   The passing of time never diminishing the important moment that family won a place on your sacred list.

Memories and thoughts age, just as people do.

But certain thoughts can never age, and certain memories can never fade.

I hear Ken snickering after reading this story, knowing he has finally won the argument. “Hey,” he asks, “Did it taste like vinegar the whole time you were writing these words?” ...  He has always been one to gloat!

Love, The Reilly's

Marinade

Ken knew something was up.  Might have been the look on my face or the way my body suddenly grew stiff that got his attention.  He stares at me, puzzled by my odd behavior.   Having been caught in the act, I innocently ask, “What?” in response to the smirk, which has settled across his lips.

“What? Is that all you have to say?” Ken remarks, moving closer to me.  “What’s with you and that weird like trance?”  Nothing gets past him so I confess, “Well, if you must know – I’m marinating.”

“What?” is now Ken’s only appropriate response!   Shaking his head accompanied by a hardy laugh, he questions what he just heard, “Marinating?”

“Yes, exactly.” I continue to explain, “I sometimes get a thought or an idea.  I write it down - so as not to forget. “  Ken leans in for further clarification.  “What you witnessed was me letting it rest, letting it absorb into my heart, turning it over in my mind and giving my imagination permission to run wild.”  I may have gone too far explaining – but I’m enjoying the bewildered expression, which has now settled upon Ken’s face.   

I cease any further enlightening – choosing instead to keep the creative process of “marinating” a secret.   I’ve only recently come to understand it myself.  For whenever I’m given the gift of a thought – I cannot rush its development.   I must separate my own understanding and wait for the revelation of something greater than myself.  I have become good at receiving inspirational thoughts.  But that is where it ends.  For the work is in the marinate – which has little to do with me and everything to tenderizes and add flavor to an idea.  I just need to step aside, believe in the process and give the Holy Spirit “a little” wiggle room to create a masterpiece within me. 

With any luck, the right amount of marinade will give life to a story which all began with the gift of a single thought.

Extraordinary

"THE HEALTHY WEAR A CROWN WHICH ONLY THE SICK CAN SEE"

 

And just like that, ordinary is gone.  Never acknowledging its hidden powers.  Never appreciating the magnitude of its gifts.  Ordinary defined my life.  Wonderfully Ordinary.  For in those moments of living, I was truly foot loose and fancy free - unaware of the jeweled crown I was wearing.

Then emptiness set in.  Days, years praying to go back.  Missing all that I was and all that I was able to do in the ordinary. Donning a crown of thorns.

But if I may, I'd like to share a secret.  A little truth that came out of that empty space....

Sometimes we are forced to create an extraordinary life. The tools are not the same and the guiding principles have to be tweaked.   But it is possible to be fed by extraordinary friends, extended extraordinary kindness and compassion, challenged to experience extraordinary joys and unhurried pleasures.  Moving through life with eyes wide open and a heart bursting with hope.  A deeper sense of peace all received through the struggle. A new crown of glory placed upon my head.

Ordinary can never be enough once you have tasted extraordinary.