Letting Go

As I walk through the woods, or even my back yard, this time of year, I see trees that still have a few leaves hanging on tight.  It's almost time for new leaves to be budding out - what are these old leaves doing still hanging there?

I've been thinking a lot about that lately.  Why do I hang onto some things - possessions, ideas, ways of doing things - long after they are of use to me?  The truth is that some of those things I hang onto actually are a hindrance, not just be of no use.  Even when new ways or ideas show up, I have trouble letting go sometimes.  As I was pondering that question this morning, the daily devotional from the UCC showed up in my in box - on that subject.  Amazing how messages show up exactly on time.  Lillian Daniel reminded me that I may be clutching to something instead of letting go.  She said to ask God to bless that which I am clutching - and to see if I could loosen my grip just a little, if I can't fully let go.  That was a good reminder. If you want to see all she wrote, you can find it at  http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/cell-phones-on-the-altar.html.

Blessings on your letting go - may you find your grip becoming looser.  Let go and let God handle whatever is troubling you.  Peace be with you.

Waiting patiently

I visited the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge yesterday.  I almost missed this heron because he was standing so still.  I stood and watched him just standing there.  Then he'd move a couple of steps and stop again.  Waiting patiently for a frog perhaps?  I've watched them in the water too, just waiting patiently for something to come close enough.  Even when they do move, it's in slow stately steps.  When they fly, it's not a sudden take off like you see with other birds.  I wonder at the patience that has been a part of this bird's evolution.  I pray that I might develop this kind of patience, to wait and see what will come my way instead of rushing and forcing my way into what I think should be next.  Perhaps I might be surprised by what God has in store for me if I wait patiently!  



Autumn Invitation

Have you noticed?  It's autumn.  Leaves are falling, plants are dying back.  Each autumn, I'm reminded that it's ok to take a rest, to take time out for regeneration.  We live in such a fast paced world.   The ferns are dying back.  Other plants stay green all winter.  I really don't think that we human beings were meant to be evergreen plants.  We need time to rest, time to regenerate.  We need time to consider what we are doing next, time for discernment, rather than quick decisions.  Is it ok for you to be dormant for a while until you've discerned that next step?


With Halloween tomorrow, we begin a season where it's really tempting to go faster and faster.  I invite you to instead slow down - find time to be dormant, or at least thoughtful.  Do less multi-tasking, even as our culture screams at you to do more of it.  Take a breath - at least once a day - take a breath and let God into your life.  How are you being invited to change?

Peace be with you in this autumn season.

Navigational signals in life

Do you know where you’re going?  Consider yourself as a sailboat, out on the open ocean.  What are the signs that help you to navigate the seas of life?  When we’re on the water, we have navigational maps to use and when we are close to land, or a dangerous rock below the surface, there may be buoys that warn us.  There are signs in life to that warn us of danger, or give us a suggestion as to where we should turn.  What helps you make decisions?  What warns you of danger?

Gaining Perspective

Sometimes when I’m trying to understand where I’m going, or where I’m supposed to be going, I can’t see a clear answer.  Things seem to be very blurry, as they are in the photo above.  The photo is a reflection of a tree in wind blown water.  When I cannot see clearly, I find I need a different perspective on my life.  Some quiet time in prayer or with my journal brings me that new perspective.  

The tree in the photo below is what is reflected in the water.  What helps you to gain perspective so that you can see clearly and make choices about your path in life?

Dark Valleys into Hope

Hosea 2: 15 “I will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope.”

One road leads to another, smoothly ,

hardly noticing the change.

Other times there’s a bridge

that one must cross,

over a valley, a river

Or a ferry across the sound,

a plane across the ocean.

Life is like that too.

Changes may take place

which we only see

as we look back.

Sometimes it’s a rough bridge,

causing us to slow down

and consider our path.

There are times where we stand

on the edge of a deep chasm,

with no visible way across

or through it.

We stand there, wondering if

there is any hope,

anyway to move on,

anyway to new life.

Do we dare to hope

for new life

for help from God?

Hope is the presence of God!

Look around and recognize the spirit of God,

of Jesus, of Allah, of Buddah

Present in the people around us.

You may find that spirit where you least expect it.

STAY AWAKE!

That spirit will be our bridge,

our pathway over the chasm,

through the dark valleys.

The valley will become a doorway

to hope and to

the possibility of new life.

Where do you grow?

Are you in an environment that supports your growth?  These tiny mushrooms and the moss both need a shady, cool, moist place to grow.  The forest needs these plants to be healthy, just as the plants need the forest.  Sometimes we try to thrive in an environment that is totally wrong for us.  Look around you—are you in the right place?