I just came back from Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". It was as I expected... dark and strangely real. Really, how can it be anything else coming from him?? I've never seen more head offing's by the largest head you've ever seen, 3D Reality, and even more grim, the search for the truth! Tackling your biggest fears and looking them straight on, or through the proverbial "looking glass", up close and magnified can scare anyone into not telling the Queen of Hearts that you ate her Tarts! I contemplated this spiritual journey so much today that I stopped at Barnes and Noble on my way home to pick up a copy of Alice's Wonderland... a blog is to come!
But for now.. the main event... and that is answering to sentences before the verdicts...as the Hatter is faced with... and unfortunately many of us in this lifetime.
The Mark Gospel tells the story about the fate of John the Baptist. His head was off'd!
In preparing a Sunday sermon, even for myself, I am forever perplexed as to how to handle delivering such a vulgar text to children... (I should just consult with Disney.. as they do it ALL the time!) Quite often I jump to a reading from the morning instead! Most Gospel readings are easily communicated to the young. At times, some lack the substance of a good tellable story. No meat in which to sink my story-telling brain into! Others can be too abstract and short... and yet I seem to make it through.. (quite often, and not intentionally, delivering the message through the child, who in turn tell the family who couldn't make heads or tales out of the sermon in "big church." ) And lastly, there is the Gospel story which really isn't tellable to children. (There are a few...) But for now, I am lucky to live in the moment of communicating my thoughts to the grown-up worshipper!
Refresher: John the Baptist= Cousin to Jesus through Mary, son of Elizabeth and Zacchariah (aging parents thought to be unable to conceive), reportedly born 6 months prior to Jesus' arrival. Elizabeth's womb lept when a pregnant Mary visited her, grows to be a great prophet, lives an ascetic life.. in the wilderness preaching about the coming of one greater than he, claims he baptises with water, while one greater than he will baptise with the fire! He is "wild and woolly".. dressed in his animal fur and eating locusts and honey .. greeting people in the river Jordan prophesying and cleaning them.. preaching loudly about what is to come.
Ok.. you remember now? The untellable part.. the beheading. A very gorey and gruesome telling by Mark, who transcribes from Simon-Peter, the manner in which John faces his death. John is critical of King Herod and his wife Herodia. They have an incestuous marriage that is also considered adulterous. (Now.. its getting good.. how on earth could this juicy story be communicated to children???) HE is quoting scripture and Jewish law that firmly spells out that what these two are doing is clearly wrong. He is not quiet about this! As well he shouldn't if one is considered a prophet. It is unclear however if Herodia's divorce from her husband.. (Herod's brother), to marry Herod is considered sinful in the eyes of theologians.. as a.) she did divorce him/lived separately from him and b.) could remarry if it so pleased her if that was the truthful case. The reality I'm afraid though, is that Herodia was also Herod's niece.. yuck. and found to be in a pleasing marriage previously to Phillip. Nothing wrong with him according to the story.. she just wanted another man. NO sign of his infidelity, unfaithful behavior. Supported her, cared for her, etc.. good husband.. she just wanted another man! Oh and yes.. which happened to be her husband's brother... another Jewish/Biblical No-No. (and Phillip was still alive!)John does not make this easy for them. He is prophet.. prophets are not quiet even to those in authority. Those of means and/or living the exact way they want never want to be questioned. They have large agendas to fulfill.. no one will stand in their way! We know what happens to those who prophesies and speak up.. one of 2 things.. they are the receivers of wheels full of grease or.. off with their head. We know John's fate. But there comes a time when the moment of truth is given to the executioner. Unlike Alice's tale, most of us do not know when that day will arrive.
"A prophet is a truth-teller and often governing authorities don't like a truth-teller telling the truth about them." "A prophet is one who speaks to those in power. A prophet usually gets into trouble for criticizing the governing authorities. Those authorities often imprison or kill that prophet in order to silence him. The prophet becomes a martyr.. one who dies for the faith." Interesting set of defining terms. A prophet is the proverbial, "whistle-blower".. one might say. All truthful to me... however..it is clearly up to the listener to decide who in fact is being employed to prophesies God's truth or their own! or Am I late? or is just a figure of my imagination??
The one called to say, "prepare the way of the Lord", however had no other agenda. He did his thing. He baptised folks in a river. He preached and shouted to all that would listen about the love that was near and here to save us all." He defended scripture, sure. But so did many Jewish officials and high priests. They just weren't "loud." Prophets are always loud.. they quite often get in trouble for "opening their big mouth"... exposing the injustice, telling the media the "real-deal." The punishment in society for calling a spade a spade is quite often a large one.. (unless you can afford high end counsel or decide that the exposition of the fake or defending of the truth is more important than your own welfare.)
Prophets don't lead a life they cover up. They wear what they want. Drive what they want. Live wherever they need too.. they lay it all out there... (As our friend Alice does. She quite often tells those around her who and what she is once she figures out that is what she is here to do.) They know what they are called to do. The deal they make to this is between them and their creator.. not for someone else's judgement. Whether or not they decided to give up a materialistic life is not a mystery. They certainly don't act duplicitous by "preaching one thing and living something different." If you were a prophet ... (and I believe we are all prophets on some level), and you choose to drive a a ride for "the people" then you should also own the fact that you do so to live in a home worth 2 millions dollars on the water. However, don't preach about poverty and service, and hide your assets aways! John didn't. He wore his craziness out in the public eye... as does the Mad Hatter... who isn't so mad ! He lived the way he thought God wanted him too.. he lived the way he could better hear the word of God...most importantly.
Herod liked John. That's the irony of the story. He enjoyed his preaching, his work with others. Thought him a holy man. Herodia on the other hand, did not! She had a mission in her mind and that was to remove that which caused her to examine her life and actions. (Our Queen). She couldn't by law do anything with John. (Unlike the Queen). She wasn't in the authority to do so. It wasn't until Herod "opened his big mouth" at a birthday, given by him, in his own honor, that prompted him to make a deal he couldn't get out of. Herodia's daughter gave a dance performance for her step-father.. one is led to believe it may have been promiscuous although scripture does not support this. How ever it was performed was so appealing to Herod that he in fact promises her anything at all that she may want.. boasting.. even half of what he owns! (Remember this promise is bellowed throughout a large party with many ears and eyes watching). Historically, Salome, (a name that is widely known but without evidence to be truth), asks her mother what it is she should ask for. Well.. Herodia can't resist but to ask for John the Baptist's head.. on a platter no less! Surely Herod cannot turn down a "deal" made in public. She manipulated her husband to do exactly her bidding in order to take care of a "loud mouth." How Herod must have felt. To be the one credited with killing the Baptiser! It may have been one thing had he really despised him. But, he didn't. A man of Herod's power and status could've eliminated him any time previous to this occasion had he felt threatened by his power. Herod was guilt ridden. He had no choice but to execute John. John's head was served up on the silver tray to Herodia as ordered by her to her daughter.
I write this story to you as someone who had a head-offer in their life.... was very influential in the direction or future of my life and fate. Someone who caused significant damage to me like Herodia does to John. Cut my head off so to speak. Ironically, this person, claimed publicly that they in fact they were here to do this work.. referring to themselves very loudly and openly, as "John the Baptist". "The wild and woolly beast sent in to shake things up.. be the loud mouth and prepare the way!" When in fact they were the Queen of Hearts. They were claiming to be a prophet. They were claiming the right to behave in a way because they were authorized by "God" to do so.
The story of Alice is one of opposites. One of questioning if the glass is half full or empty. Whether time is measured by the day or by the hour- it is story to help us believe that we are capable of doing 6 impossible things before breakfast everyday. Are we too big for the rabbit hole? Or, is he mad? or Am I?It is interesting- because they're are no clear answers and no, one Queen, who gets to pass judgement on others fates, eliminating those before they get too close to the truth! "Off with their heads"... "No soup for you" (Seinfeldian), mentality that really can affect us.
John's death did not put an end to his legacy. NO- in fact it helped him to become even bigger than who he was. He still does not hide his fate or his mission. Jesus still was the way after John's death. Jesus is still the way after his own head-offer did away with him! Alice found out that she needed to face her stuff head on. She was rocked with confusion about life and death throughout this story but when the blue caterpillar informs her that death is impossible and that transformation is always the next step she discovers that you no longer have anything to fear. She looks into the face of the deck/death and screams, "You are only a pack of cards!" She knows that one person's view isn't enough! It's YOUR reality that is real!
John knew who he was. So did Jesus. And in the end so did Alice!
The sequel to follow...
Mad as a Hatter in Newport
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
"Bless her heart!"
I'm writin' y'all tonite about living in the South! Many of my friends have spent some time living just South of Newport, (if that is REALLY true!) Or, so they tell me! I have had the best time in my home away from home that I can sit here on this warm Saturday eve in late winter/early Spring dreaming about good ol' southern hospitality!
I love the South. I always thought one day I would live there. Once, years ago, I imagined honeymooning in New Orleans. (mind you, never been hitched). Scarlett O'Hara tells Rhett Butler when he asks her, "Scarlett would you ever marry for fun?" Her response.. "Fun for whom?" However, I began to think I could and should be residing there. It always appealed to me. The 80's brought on Steel Magnolias and JFK. Although, Burn Notice... sealed the deal for me! I wondered about attending worship services in the South, pretty dresses, and just enough gossip to intrigue even the most humble Christian! I wasn't wrong... except I thought I would love grits!
When I think of Southern living many interesting details immediately come to mind. Obviously the weather is glorious most of the year. It is like living in Spring, (my favorite season), ALL year... (although, the Tulips still only come out when they're supposed too.) With the exception of that blast of wilting humidity that arrives around late May/June, I have grown very fond of my southern hood. I quickly figured out that "their Summer is our Winter." My childhood friend Wayne lives in the Orlando area. When I asked him about the move to the South, he said, "Dawn, we just stay inside all Summer. October is perfect until May. No shoveling or outrageous heating bills.... c'mon down!" I thought... hmm... that's seems appealing enough. Go home for Christmas snow and be done! I spent much of last Summer there.. and honestly, he was right. Weather at this point in life does make a difference. I love the fact that my god Ra, begins sunning me around this very time, and ends before Thanksgiving. It's a wonderful thing, that Vitamin D !
Besides the temperature.. most importantly is the temperament! Good ol' southern hospitality! It took me a spell to g'it this one...Boy-Howdy... Sometimes I say.. yes.. indeed this is surely the place and other times...."um... speed it up, I could be dying tomorrow!" It is truth when folks tell ya that life is slower and nicer past the Mason-Dixon line. Being kind takes time!!!!
For example, I found a good hair salon finally , (let me define salon... one that is not in someones garage and sells products that have not been distilled in someones backyard!) Anyhow. I have pretty low-maintenance hair.(I am not a full on platinum blonde!) I go in for treatment about 3x a year. My usual appt here is not nearly 4 hours... okay.. let's be fair, perhaps, it was a slow rainy day or that the girl sensed my anxiety as I would much rather have a molar filled than be there.. but none the less.. in the North a filling and my hair usually take about the same amount of time... in the South, it is a personal day from work! I told myself that was okay as perhaps that is the "true mission" of a salon, a day of pampering!
The Publix.. a rather hip chain of grocery markets. (I much prefer to the Winn Dixie or the Piggly-whatever!) There motto, "Where shopping is a pleasure!" I have decided, is really a fact. The 2nd least favorite thing I hate besides the hair salon, is grocery shopping! Just can't stand the crowds and searching for what I need. Mostly though, it's the lugging of my purchases. Upon a rather large shopping excursion... without male company... I happened in the check-out line and I began to bag my own groceries. (comes naturally). Some poor clerk comes running over and quietly sates, "Ma'am what ever on earth are you doin'?" I am dumbfounded and explain that I am baggin' my supplies and I assure them that I intend to pay for them.. (haha) She looks up at me and says, "You're from the North aren't you?" Perhaps, my accent? Perhaps my buttoned up attire? Or simply my work ethic??(Over zealous and over worked way of living).
I sheepishly nodded and smiled... She said, "That's my job." I agreed to let go of this task, be a Belle, or a customer, and move ahead with my adventure. I was telling myself though, "Relax, and enjoy this, this is what woman do here in the South." No sooner had my bags been in the carriage, I place my hands upon the handle of the cart, and the clerk again states, "M'aam.. where can I take you?" "TAKE ME????" I respond and say " Um... no where my shopping is complete, thank you." She said, "Well then fine ma'am, allow me to walk you to your vehicle." She rips the cart from my hands and proceeds out into a 60 degree evening... I am thinking to myself... "Oh shit, do I have cash on me???? We get to the car and I slip her a few bucks and she looks at me as though I have now committed mortal sin..."No thank you ma'am we are not allowed to accept tips. Is this your vehicle? Please pop the hatch for me." I am stopped dead in my tracks staring at her. "Keys ma'am?" I reach for the keys fumbling around in my handbag.. get the car open and I watch her LOAD the groceries into the car!!!!!! I am grateful, but thinking a million thoughts right now.. "Why can't it be snowing? Why can't it be 10 degree wind chill? Whatever happened to Almacs on Bellevue Avenue???"
I sat in the car. I stopped and I watched her retrieve other carriages in the lot scattered here and there and I said.. " THAT's WHY they don't have a carriage depot!!!!!" Okay.. I am officially loving the South! I only wish they had her drive home with you so you could walk those bags up 2 flights of stairs! Oh well...small southern baby steps!
The Suite of lovely Spanish-style, stucco apartments I stay in has a paperboy... if you will. It reminds me of the old show Melrose Place. This place is located on a main strip similar to Thames Street. Paper-people are almost non-existent in cities, and they certainly don't ride bicycles and hum a paper at your door to deliver the morning news... no it is far better than that. There is a paper boy who comes to call at 6am faithfully and the reason I know this is because his beat up pick up truck comes barreling into the complex exactly at dawn and is playing music I would normally find exciting exactly 12 hours later! After the first few mornings of thinking a neighbor had a really loud TV or little kids, I realized that this is how he woke his clients to the delivery of the days' news! Then it became exciting! What would today be???? Def Leopard?,Skynryd?, Styx?, ACDC?, ZZ Top?.. a southern rockers dream reveille! Then Sunday came. The southern hospitality was even present in our paperboy... I lay there, it's quiet as you would imagine on Sunday, 6am.. and I detect a familiar melody...." We've only just begun.. white lace and promises.. " I lay head faced down in my pillow smiling! And softly sing, "A kiss for luck and we're on our way!" I giggled so hard that I was even now loving our paperboy even though my head was still rocking from the Disco 70's band the evening before."
Life in the South is really forgiving.
Many other instances remind me that I like this way of living as, "You are the customer, the little lady, the girl in need of a 4 hour salon treatment and lovingly referred to as "Sugar"...except for the times when I hear, "Bless her heart!" Well. let me say.. when YOU are the one who is the recipient of heart blessing! Well... thankfully years ago, my friend John educated me on this one! John, a friend and colleague, would often use the expression, "Bless her heart!" during times when we were speaking of someone who... well.. needed to be "blessed".
I guess!! Forever, I never knew what this meant, except, that" I" thought it meant his Christianity shining through! I always took to heart his kind blessings and wondered how on earth he could be, "blessing her??" Well. I did not need to spend years in Mobile, as he did, to understand what this truly meant! I had a good southern mentor! Again, just the South's way of being hospitable! (Even, if the grocery clerk said that to me on her way back from my car!)
I can see why people move there. I completely understand why folks HATE living here after being there. (The frigidity on all levels!) I can even see why the men are attracted to "Belledom"... although I TRULY struggle with that one! But, I can say that I have never been welcomed so graciously, treated so decently, and made-over...sometimes so fakishly, (WHO CARES!) then in the South! It is a nice place to visit and live. Where else can you get 10 months of Spring, $1.75 Sam Adams drafts, $63 Dirty Martini's, Valentine's Dinner at a posh country club with the loveliest octogenarians, alcohol and popcorn at the local movie theatre, Indian grocery stores, and a Nascar watching boyfriend! The only thing missing is my platinum doo! (And that's only because I can't sit in the chair for 8 hours!!!)
Damsels in distress???.. maybe... however I have learned that this isn't the worse thing. The South is a flashback at times. It is a reminder that men are men and women are ladies.
We Yankee-chicks sometimes need reminding!
A girl gets used to her life in the South. My airport scenes now end something like this...
Scarlett: "Rhett, Rhett, - Rhett, where shall I ever go? What shall I do?"
Rhett Butler: "Frankly Scarlett, I don't give damn."
Scarlett: "Rhett, don't. I shall faint."
Rhett Butler: "I want you to faint. This is what you were meant for. None of the fools you've ever known have kissed you like this, have they? Your Charles, or your Frank, or your stupid Ashley!"
Scarlett: "Tara! Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get him back. After all... tomorrow is another day."
Bye y'all,
S. O'H
I love the South. I always thought one day I would live there. Once, years ago, I imagined honeymooning in New Orleans. (mind you, never been hitched). Scarlett O'Hara tells Rhett Butler when he asks her, "Scarlett would you ever marry for fun?" Her response.. "Fun for whom?" However, I began to think I could and should be residing there. It always appealed to me. The 80's brought on Steel Magnolias and JFK. Although, Burn Notice... sealed the deal for me! I wondered about attending worship services in the South, pretty dresses, and just enough gossip to intrigue even the most humble Christian! I wasn't wrong... except I thought I would love grits!
When I think of Southern living many interesting details immediately come to mind. Obviously the weather is glorious most of the year. It is like living in Spring, (my favorite season), ALL year... (although, the Tulips still only come out when they're supposed too.) With the exception of that blast of wilting humidity that arrives around late May/June, I have grown very fond of my southern hood. I quickly figured out that "their Summer is our Winter." My childhood friend Wayne lives in the Orlando area. When I asked him about the move to the South, he said, "Dawn, we just stay inside all Summer. October is perfect until May. No shoveling or outrageous heating bills.... c'mon down!" I thought... hmm... that's seems appealing enough. Go home for Christmas snow and be done! I spent much of last Summer there.. and honestly, he was right. Weather at this point in life does make a difference. I love the fact that my god Ra, begins sunning me around this very time, and ends before Thanksgiving. It's a wonderful thing, that Vitamin D !
Besides the temperature.. most importantly is the temperament! Good ol' southern hospitality! It took me a spell to g'it this one...Boy-Howdy... Sometimes I say.. yes.. indeed this is surely the place and other times...."um... speed it up, I could be dying tomorrow!" It is truth when folks tell ya that life is slower and nicer past the Mason-Dixon line. Being kind takes time!!!!
For example, I found a good hair salon finally , (let me define salon... one that is not in someones garage and sells products that have not been distilled in someones backyard!) Anyhow. I have pretty low-maintenance hair.(I am not a full on platinum blonde!) I go in for treatment about 3x a year. My usual appt here is not nearly 4 hours... okay.. let's be fair, perhaps, it was a slow rainy day or that the girl sensed my anxiety as I would much rather have a molar filled than be there.. but none the less.. in the North a filling and my hair usually take about the same amount of time... in the South, it is a personal day from work! I told myself that was okay as perhaps that is the "true mission" of a salon, a day of pampering!
The Publix.. a rather hip chain of grocery markets. (I much prefer to the Winn Dixie or the Piggly-whatever!) There motto, "Where shopping is a pleasure!" I have decided, is really a fact. The 2nd least favorite thing I hate besides the hair salon, is grocery shopping! Just can't stand the crowds and searching for what I need. Mostly though, it's the lugging of my purchases. Upon a rather large shopping excursion... without male company... I happened in the check-out line and I began to bag my own groceries. (comes naturally). Some poor clerk comes running over and quietly sates, "Ma'am what ever on earth are you doin'?" I am dumbfounded and explain that I am baggin' my supplies and I assure them that I intend to pay for them.. (haha) She looks up at me and says, "You're from the North aren't you?" Perhaps, my accent? Perhaps my buttoned up attire? Or simply my work ethic??(Over zealous and over worked way of living).
I sheepishly nodded and smiled... She said, "That's my job." I agreed to let go of this task, be a Belle, or a customer, and move ahead with my adventure. I was telling myself though, "Relax, and enjoy this, this is what woman do here in the South." No sooner had my bags been in the carriage, I place my hands upon the handle of the cart, and the clerk again states, "M'aam.. where can I take you?" "TAKE ME????" I respond and say " Um... no where my shopping is complete, thank you." She said, "Well then fine ma'am, allow me to walk you to your vehicle." She rips the cart from my hands and proceeds out into a 60 degree evening... I am thinking to myself... "Oh shit, do I have cash on me???? We get to the car and I slip her a few bucks and she looks at me as though I have now committed mortal sin..."No thank you ma'am we are not allowed to accept tips. Is this your vehicle? Please pop the hatch for me." I am stopped dead in my tracks staring at her. "Keys ma'am?" I reach for the keys fumbling around in my handbag.. get the car open and I watch her LOAD the groceries into the car!!!!!! I am grateful, but thinking a million thoughts right now.. "Why can't it be snowing? Why can't it be 10 degree wind chill? Whatever happened to Almacs on Bellevue Avenue???"
I sat in the car. I stopped and I watched her retrieve other carriages in the lot scattered here and there and I said.. " THAT's WHY they don't have a carriage depot!!!!!" Okay.. I am officially loving the South! I only wish they had her drive home with you so you could walk those bags up 2 flights of stairs! Oh well...small southern baby steps!
The Suite of lovely Spanish-style, stucco apartments I stay in has a paperboy... if you will. It reminds me of the old show Melrose Place. This place is located on a main strip similar to Thames Street. Paper-people are almost non-existent in cities, and they certainly don't ride bicycles and hum a paper at your door to deliver the morning news... no it is far better than that. There is a paper boy who comes to call at 6am faithfully and the reason I know this is because his beat up pick up truck comes barreling into the complex exactly at dawn and is playing music I would normally find exciting exactly 12 hours later! After the first few mornings of thinking a neighbor had a really loud TV or little kids, I realized that this is how he woke his clients to the delivery of the days' news! Then it became exciting! What would today be???? Def Leopard?,Skynryd?, Styx?, ACDC?, ZZ Top?.. a southern rockers dream reveille! Then Sunday came. The southern hospitality was even present in our paperboy... I lay there, it's quiet as you would imagine on Sunday, 6am.. and I detect a familiar melody...." We've only just begun.. white lace and promises.. " I lay head faced down in my pillow smiling! And softly sing, "A kiss for luck and we're on our way!" I giggled so hard that I was even now loving our paperboy even though my head was still rocking from the Disco 70's band the evening before."
Life in the South is really forgiving.
Many other instances remind me that I like this way of living as, "You are the customer, the little lady, the girl in need of a 4 hour salon treatment and lovingly referred to as "Sugar"...except for the times when I hear, "Bless her heart!" Well. let me say.. when YOU are the one who is the recipient of heart blessing! Well... thankfully years ago, my friend John educated me on this one! John, a friend and colleague, would often use the expression, "Bless her heart!" during times when we were speaking of someone who... well.. needed to be "blessed".
I guess!! Forever, I never knew what this meant, except, that" I" thought it meant his Christianity shining through! I always took to heart his kind blessings and wondered how on earth he could be, "blessing her??" Well. I did not need to spend years in Mobile, as he did, to understand what this truly meant! I had a good southern mentor! Again, just the South's way of being hospitable! (Even, if the grocery clerk said that to me on her way back from my car!)
I can see why people move there. I completely understand why folks HATE living here after being there. (The frigidity on all levels!) I can even see why the men are attracted to "Belledom"... although I TRULY struggle with that one! But, I can say that I have never been welcomed so graciously, treated so decently, and made-over...sometimes so fakishly, (WHO CARES!) then in the South! It is a nice place to visit and live. Where else can you get 10 months of Spring, $1.75 Sam Adams drafts, $63 Dirty Martini's, Valentine's Dinner at a posh country club with the loveliest octogenarians, alcohol and popcorn at the local movie theatre, Indian grocery stores, and a Nascar watching boyfriend! The only thing missing is my platinum doo! (And that's only because I can't sit in the chair for 8 hours!!!)
Damsels in distress???.. maybe... however I have learned that this isn't the worse thing. The South is a flashback at times. It is a reminder that men are men and women are ladies.
We Yankee-chicks sometimes need reminding!
A girl gets used to her life in the South. My airport scenes now end something like this...
Scarlett: "Rhett, Rhett, - Rhett, where shall I ever go? What shall I do?"
Rhett Butler: "Frankly Scarlett, I don't give damn."
Scarlett: "Rhett, don't. I shall faint."
Rhett Butler: "I want you to faint. This is what you were meant for. None of the fools you've ever known have kissed you like this, have they? Your Charles, or your Frank, or your stupid Ashley!"
Scarlett: "Tara! Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get him back. After all... tomorrow is another day."
Bye y'all,
S. O'H
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Son of a Preacher Man
"The only boy who could ever teach me, was the son of a preacher man.. the only boy who could ever reach me.. was the son of a preacher man. Yes, he was, he was. Oh yes, he was!"
Some of you may know who I speak of. And some may not. I am preaching today about my dearest friend, Greg Cole. He is, in fact, the son of preacher man. And in fact the only one who could ever reach me or teach me, for that matter !
Most of you know how Greg's legendary words are used to describe God and Spirit, interpret the bible in a fashion that allows the modern man to comprehend and relate. In fact, some of you may miss those words terribly! I know I did, until I received the privilege this past weekend to once again be mesmerized and literally dazzled by his God-speak.
This blog is about you, Preacher Boy! ("PB") The man formerly known as Preacher Boy... and well, is today. This sermon's for you kid....
This past weekend in a visit to the very hip city, (really), of Jacksonville, Florida, I had the rare opportunity to sit in on 3 services in an Episcopal parish located in a very affluent section of Jax. These were no ordinary church services to me, as I was there to listen to PB preach a rather deep and energized message about affordable and decent housing to the hardworking people of Jax. You see, PB is no longer a collar-carrying preacher, he is the Sr. Development Officer and Interim Director of Development for HabiJax... a cute word for Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville. Probably the largest non-profit organization in Jax, and certainly,within the top 3 of the largest Habitat affiliates in the United States. Greg, was hired to reach the faith communities about giving, so as the hardworking man in Jax could receive "a hand up and not a hand out!"
WOW! Talk about God directing our lives!
Anyway, Greg informed me weeks ago about his preaching at St. Mark's. He was incredibly excited and ready to get back in front of the people again. Well. Let's be clear, the Episcopal folk! Greg has been preaching all over Jax for some months now. Every faith imaginable! (We even attended a "mega-church" this weekend!!!) But, when PB was asked to deliver the sermons for the 3 services on his home turf he more than jumped at the opportunity! As, for me, it was like going home! Preparing for this a week in advance, he angled me in every way as to how he would connect covenants, plead Luke, and justify Genesis! Ahhhh.. the old days!
We talked, and he taught me. He found every free moment to run some piece of scripture he could weave together by me. He sat at at his house of writing worship, St. Arbucks, and poured his heart and soul into his work. Although, not for him, but for the college boy, and others like Thomas, who grew up in a Habijax home and is studying to become a prosecuting attorney! He wrote that sermon for the homeless, the needy and the lost. He wrote it so that the common man could come terms with how God does enter into covenants with all of us!
So that more, " Thomas' ", Will see and Believe!
PB got up with the same spring in his step. He got up actually several times through the evening to perfect his story. He was a preacher in need of God's people. He needed to get his message into the hands of those that cared, and to do it on his playing field, gave him the home team advantage.
Our triple header was like Opening Day! It was a crisp and clear morning. The kind of morning that reminds you that you are alive and not just freeze dried. A 7:30 service, and after some "thee's and thou's" we were up to bat! PB decided against the purple Lenten tie and went right into red! He would invoke the deity with his passion. And so with home team advantage he took his first swing. I sat in the stands and I white knuckled my service leaflet... it was like watching someone come off the injured list. He got off the bench, and I closed my eyes, and waited. The pitch, and the hit!
As I sat in pool of nervous wetness, ( I was doubting my Tom's that day!) I noticed the most intriguing sign. The chapel-like building was host to a stained glassed system of Jesus' life cycle... Nativity to Pentecost. I open my eyes upon the chills rising up through me, I look at PB. He is on fire... literally!!! His hands appealing to the crowd. The perfect pauses and pleas. The immanent smile. The red aura all around him! PB was standing directly beneath the window of God sending the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Jesus' was represented in garments of flowing red. The east rising sun was illuminating this image so brightly that I hardly knew the difference of where the spirit was! It was pouring down threw Greg's head and around his body... The hue was as bright as the window. I was astounded as to the image. I then looked at the series of windows before home plate. The former was, Easter Day and further down, the Cruxifiction. It all made perfect sense to me.
I watched the crowd afterwards wanting to touch "his" garments. They, as I, were moved by the power of the spirit. They lined up to help and hear more. They lined up to ask and be healed. And yet, there was no one in that room more healed than the one who was speaking in tongues!!! I shed a small tear after the 7am sermon. Although, the third game was clearly the one he came to play.The 11am seats more fans, however the sun had moved and the window was normalized as the others now. PB took the spirit of redemption in hours before. He had knocked one out of the park for the Big Guy! But, more importantly for himself. He was no longer a Thomas, but fighting for one!
I am more convinced than ever that our truest callings and healing are God's way of letting us know, that in fact, no matter the circumstances, we all have jobs to do! God is the umpire in every game! His calls are the ones we wait for at home plate.
God's Will be done... no one can stop that! Let no man put asunder. (Even ourselves!)
PB is back in the fields! He is more alive and charismatic than he has ever been. It made me tear up to be at his opening day!
And ps... I love the new uniform!
Love, Dusty
Some of you may know who I speak of. And some may not. I am preaching today about my dearest friend, Greg Cole. He is, in fact, the son of preacher man. And in fact the only one who could ever reach me or teach me, for that matter !
Most of you know how Greg's legendary words are used to describe God and Spirit, interpret the bible in a fashion that allows the modern man to comprehend and relate. In fact, some of you may miss those words terribly! I know I did, until I received the privilege this past weekend to once again be mesmerized and literally dazzled by his God-speak.
This blog is about you, Preacher Boy! ("PB") The man formerly known as Preacher Boy... and well, is today. This sermon's for you kid....
This past weekend in a visit to the very hip city, (really), of Jacksonville, Florida, I had the rare opportunity to sit in on 3 services in an Episcopal parish located in a very affluent section of Jax. These were no ordinary church services to me, as I was there to listen to PB preach a rather deep and energized message about affordable and decent housing to the hardworking people of Jax. You see, PB is no longer a collar-carrying preacher, he is the Sr. Development Officer and Interim Director of Development for HabiJax... a cute word for Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville. Probably the largest non-profit organization in Jax, and certainly,within the top 3 of the largest Habitat affiliates in the United States. Greg, was hired to reach the faith communities about giving, so as the hardworking man in Jax could receive "a hand up and not a hand out!"
WOW! Talk about God directing our lives!
Anyway, Greg informed me weeks ago about his preaching at St. Mark's. He was incredibly excited and ready to get back in front of the people again. Well. Let's be clear, the Episcopal folk! Greg has been preaching all over Jax for some months now. Every faith imaginable! (We even attended a "mega-church" this weekend!!!) But, when PB was asked to deliver the sermons for the 3 services on his home turf he more than jumped at the opportunity! As, for me, it was like going home! Preparing for this a week in advance, he angled me in every way as to how he would connect covenants, plead Luke, and justify Genesis! Ahhhh.. the old days!
We talked, and he taught me. He found every free moment to run some piece of scripture he could weave together by me. He sat at at his house of writing worship, St. Arbucks, and poured his heart and soul into his work. Although, not for him, but for the college boy, and others like Thomas, who grew up in a Habijax home and is studying to become a prosecuting attorney! He wrote that sermon for the homeless, the needy and the lost. He wrote it so that the common man could come terms with how God does enter into covenants with all of us!
So that more, " Thomas' ", Will see and Believe!
PB got up with the same spring in his step. He got up actually several times through the evening to perfect his story. He was a preacher in need of God's people. He needed to get his message into the hands of those that cared, and to do it on his playing field, gave him the home team advantage.
Our triple header was like Opening Day! It was a crisp and clear morning. The kind of morning that reminds you that you are alive and not just freeze dried. A 7:30 service, and after some "thee's and thou's" we were up to bat! PB decided against the purple Lenten tie and went right into red! He would invoke the deity with his passion. And so with home team advantage he took his first swing. I sat in the stands and I white knuckled my service leaflet... it was like watching someone come off the injured list. He got off the bench, and I closed my eyes, and waited. The pitch, and the hit!
As I sat in pool of nervous wetness, ( I was doubting my Tom's that day!) I noticed the most intriguing sign. The chapel-like building was host to a stained glassed system of Jesus' life cycle... Nativity to Pentecost. I open my eyes upon the chills rising up through me, I look at PB. He is on fire... literally!!! His hands appealing to the crowd. The perfect pauses and pleas. The immanent smile. The red aura all around him! PB was standing directly beneath the window of God sending the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Jesus' was represented in garments of flowing red. The east rising sun was illuminating this image so brightly that I hardly knew the difference of where the spirit was! It was pouring down threw Greg's head and around his body... The hue was as bright as the window. I was astounded as to the image. I then looked at the series of windows before home plate. The former was, Easter Day and further down, the Cruxifiction. It all made perfect sense to me.
I watched the crowd afterwards wanting to touch "his" garments. They, as I, were moved by the power of the spirit. They lined up to help and hear more. They lined up to ask and be healed. And yet, there was no one in that room more healed than the one who was speaking in tongues!!! I shed a small tear after the 7am sermon. Although, the third game was clearly the one he came to play.The 11am seats more fans, however the sun had moved and the window was normalized as the others now. PB took the spirit of redemption in hours before. He had knocked one out of the park for the Big Guy! But, more importantly for himself. He was no longer a Thomas, but fighting for one!
I am more convinced than ever that our truest callings and healing are God's way of letting us know, that in fact, no matter the circumstances, we all have jobs to do! God is the umpire in every game! His calls are the ones we wait for at home plate.
God's Will be done... no one can stop that! Let no man put asunder. (Even ourselves!)
PB is back in the fields! He is more alive and charismatic than he has ever been. It made me tear up to be at his opening day!
And ps... I love the new uniform!
Love, Dusty
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Advent.. to Wait.
"It's coming on Christmas. They're cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace.. Oh I wish I had a river... I could skate away on." It's a still song isn't is it? It's a song about about heartache and heartbreak. It's a song about escaping silently down a placid-ice river.. away from the sheer "contentment" of the season we know as Christmastime. However.. we need not forget that hue-du-jour in the Christian world is Blue right now.. Advent is the season of contemplation. It is a season of of self discovery. A recent preaching I attended taught that the outdated Christian model of Advent color, (Purple), was perhaps still a color to visit as it is a color of forgiveness and seeking oneness with God. A color in Lent we equate to reconcilation. But maybe it has a place still here with us today. Our, River, speaks of running into the purple.. as Joni speaks of making her baby cry.. making her baby say goodbye-
Yes.. Joni Mitchell and James Taylor have brought this ballad alive for me again this year. This year more so than ever I have had the urge to skate away. Most of you know how much affection I own for this season of merry making and mayhem. Many of you know that December 21st is a magical day for me. The Winter Solstice and the official gunfire to the season where I perform my hardest .. usually. normally- until this year struck. It oft reminds me of my mentor movie... "You've Got Mail". Do you recall Meg Ryan, alias, Miss Kathleen Kelly, hanging twinkle lights in her quaint children's book store, The Shop Around the Corner? She hung them so sadly recounting this tune poetically.. gazing out onto the busy streets of the Upper East Side in Manhattan knowing that her dream was dying. She recounts that "The River" really has nothing to do with Christmastime. And I agree. She was "Blue" that the possibility of losing her mother's beloved bookstore and family heirloom was about to face closing due to the "Big Bad" Fox Books SuperBook Store chain that had opened that Fall around the corner from her.
She watched the busy shoppers that used to frequent her black and white tiled floor scurrily purchase books from Miss Kathleen.. the expert in children's literature... heading over to the "designer bookstore that sold lattes and lies" to its' customers! She watched old friends and supporters lie and squeamishly opt for the other store. It made her sad to think that her shop around the corner was no longer their shop around the corner! And although she saw folks walking by her with cut trees and shopping bags marked with other logos.. she prayed and prayed to her deceased mother for that motherly advise, so rarified, regarding a rather difficult decision in her life. She repeated those lyrics mindlessly.. staring into the world as if she were one of the shepherds looking upward to the sky that first night of Jesus' entry into the world. Her answer did not come to her. Her personal Advent was nearing...
We know Advent as waiting. To wait. To wait. To wait. and to Wait, (phew)! We are waiting for this great miracle to enter our lives. We are awaiting the arrival of the bringer of Life! We are awaiting the forgiver of all sins and the One marked to bring us eternal happiness through Him. We are invited throught Advent to be still and wait for the moment. We are not invited to deck halls, rip up strings of lights, party on, shop like crazy, or lavishly eat, drink and be merry. We are invited to wait. To be in the moment. Listen in darkness and just be. We are invited to anticipate what could happen for us!We are invited to self-forgiveness and forgiveness with the hue of purple... or blue. But we are not invited to look at reds and greens yet. Colors of change, spirit and everlasting life. We must do the work first!
Our friend Kathleen Kelly has no idea that her life as "Miss Kathleen Kelly," the Storybook Lady, is about to close it's final chapter on that part of her existence. She hasn't one idea that her redemption will come through the very thing she loathed and despised, blamed, as the taker-away of her life as she knew it.....Fox Books was about to claim her. She hadn't a clue that she was secretly in love with Joe Fox. And she didn't know it becuase it was different than what she thought was her life plan. He really was an angel, and not the fox,(everyone including himself,) thought him to be. He had been lovingly transformed through Kathleen's anonymous emails, easy going nature, and affection for things in life simpler than Gucchi bags, (or as he says.. "Yes.. I love Patricia.. why wouldn't I? She makes coffee nervous?? Speaking of his live-in fiancee at the time!)Theirs, he and Kathleen's, best-friendship, was an Advent that they both awaited in this lifetime.. He was "waiting" for the right girl to shake him up, and she, for the man in her life to help her believe in herself again... or ever.
Kathleen , after making the difficult decision to close the store, spends some 4-5 months in seclusion. She's depressed. She is thinking about what someone likes Kathleen Kelly does after being the Storybook Lady??
Kathleen states in one tear-filled, email in her Advent, "People are always saying that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened. My store is closing this week. I own a store, did I ever tell you that? It's a lovely store, and in a week it'll be something really depressing, like a Baby Gap. Soon, it'll be just a memory. In fact, someone, some foolish person, will probably think it's a tribute to this city, the way it keeps changing on you, the way you can never count on it, or something. I know because that's the sort of thing I'm always saying. But the truth is... I'm heartbroken. I feel as if a part of me has died, and my mother has died all over again, and no one can ever make it right."
I have a school.. did I ever tell you I have a school?
But the good news is as Spring approaches and she has been told by her mother's friend Birdie that only the brave are daring to imagine what else it is they could be.. Joe Fox shows with a bounty of fresh daisies.. a peace offering. The way into the next step of her future. She responds to Joe sheepishly and most untrustingly.. "I love Daisies.. they are the friendliest flowers..." He nods and asks if they could become friends? The rest is history as they say. Or red and green .. her Christmastime is really in fact her Easter. Her Advent is over and her new chapter beginning!
Joe Fox: "Don't cry Shopgirl, (her email handle), Don't cry. "
Kathleen Kelly: " I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly!"
The credits roll and Over the Rainbow begins to play....
Happy Advent,
Shopgirl
Yes.. Joni Mitchell and James Taylor have brought this ballad alive for me again this year. This year more so than ever I have had the urge to skate away. Most of you know how much affection I own for this season of merry making and mayhem. Many of you know that December 21st is a magical day for me. The Winter Solstice and the official gunfire to the season where I perform my hardest .. usually. normally- until this year struck. It oft reminds me of my mentor movie... "You've Got Mail". Do you recall Meg Ryan, alias, Miss Kathleen Kelly, hanging twinkle lights in her quaint children's book store, The Shop Around the Corner? She hung them so sadly recounting this tune poetically.. gazing out onto the busy streets of the Upper East Side in Manhattan knowing that her dream was dying. She recounts that "The River" really has nothing to do with Christmastime. And I agree. She was "Blue" that the possibility of losing her mother's beloved bookstore and family heirloom was about to face closing due to the "Big Bad" Fox Books SuperBook Store chain that had opened that Fall around the corner from her.
She watched the busy shoppers that used to frequent her black and white tiled floor scurrily purchase books from Miss Kathleen.. the expert in children's literature... heading over to the "designer bookstore that sold lattes and lies" to its' customers! She watched old friends and supporters lie and squeamishly opt for the other store. It made her sad to think that her shop around the corner was no longer their shop around the corner! And although she saw folks walking by her with cut trees and shopping bags marked with other logos.. she prayed and prayed to her deceased mother for that motherly advise, so rarified, regarding a rather difficult decision in her life. She repeated those lyrics mindlessly.. staring into the world as if she were one of the shepherds looking upward to the sky that first night of Jesus' entry into the world. Her answer did not come to her. Her personal Advent was nearing...
We know Advent as waiting. To wait. To wait. To wait. and to Wait, (phew)! We are waiting for this great miracle to enter our lives. We are awaiting the arrival of the bringer of Life! We are awaiting the forgiver of all sins and the One marked to bring us eternal happiness through Him. We are invited throught Advent to be still and wait for the moment. We are not invited to deck halls, rip up strings of lights, party on, shop like crazy, or lavishly eat, drink and be merry. We are invited to wait. To be in the moment. Listen in darkness and just be. We are invited to anticipate what could happen for us!We are invited to self-forgiveness and forgiveness with the hue of purple... or blue. But we are not invited to look at reds and greens yet. Colors of change, spirit and everlasting life. We must do the work first!
Our friend Kathleen Kelly has no idea that her life as "Miss Kathleen Kelly," the Storybook Lady, is about to close it's final chapter on that part of her existence. She hasn't one idea that her redemption will come through the very thing she loathed and despised, blamed, as the taker-away of her life as she knew it.....Fox Books was about to claim her. She hadn't a clue that she was secretly in love with Joe Fox. And she didn't know it becuase it was different than what she thought was her life plan. He really was an angel, and not the fox,(everyone including himself,) thought him to be. He had been lovingly transformed through Kathleen's anonymous emails, easy going nature, and affection for things in life simpler than Gucchi bags, (or as he says.. "Yes.. I love Patricia.. why wouldn't I? She makes coffee nervous?? Speaking of his live-in fiancee at the time!)Theirs, he and Kathleen's, best-friendship, was an Advent that they both awaited in this lifetime.. He was "waiting" for the right girl to shake him up, and she, for the man in her life to help her believe in herself again... or ever.
Kathleen , after making the difficult decision to close the store, spends some 4-5 months in seclusion. She's depressed. She is thinking about what someone likes Kathleen Kelly does after being the Storybook Lady??
Kathleen states in one tear-filled, email in her Advent, "People are always saying that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened. My store is closing this week. I own a store, did I ever tell you that? It's a lovely store, and in a week it'll be something really depressing, like a Baby Gap. Soon, it'll be just a memory. In fact, someone, some foolish person, will probably think it's a tribute to this city, the way it keeps changing on you, the way you can never count on it, or something. I know because that's the sort of thing I'm always saying. But the truth is... I'm heartbroken. I feel as if a part of me has died, and my mother has died all over again, and no one can ever make it right."
I have a school.. did I ever tell you I have a school?
But the good news is as Spring approaches and she has been told by her mother's friend Birdie that only the brave are daring to imagine what else it is they could be.. Joe Fox shows with a bounty of fresh daisies.. a peace offering. The way into the next step of her future. She responds to Joe sheepishly and most untrustingly.. "I love Daisies.. they are the friendliest flowers..." He nods and asks if they could become friends? The rest is history as they say. Or red and green .. her Christmastime is really in fact her Easter. Her Advent is over and her new chapter beginning!
Joe Fox: "Don't cry Shopgirl, (her email handle), Don't cry. "
Kathleen Kelly: " I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly!"
The credits roll and Over the Rainbow begins to play....
Happy Advent,
Shopgirl
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Office
Have you ever watched a preacher on television by the name of Joyce Meyers? She has a number of books and tapes out on how to re-direct your attitude and look at things in a new way.. or perhaps God's way. I have never subscribed or purchased any of her books however since my cousin Kim turned me on to her misnistry some 10 years ago I'd try to catch a Joyce episodde or two when I was on vacation.. these days God has afforded me the time to make Joyce a morning ritual with my coffee! What a luxury.
Another summer delight in addition to watching Joyce each morning is the ability to leisurely discern my future on a daily basis in a peaceful oasis.. and I do this with careful thought and consideration mind you. I have been fortunate to spend my afternoon time once again this summer, at what has come to be called, (jokingly for years), "My Office". The Office, is my.. well... "Office"... in the summer! (Not a classroom.. or is it???) I love the fact that since I began "renting space" at the Office each summer, numbers of life-altering events have gone on in my existence.. and yet the office continues to remain its beautiful, picturesque, oasis of learning overlooking the channel of the Atlantic. It is a place quite frankly, where life does stand still and changes simultaneoulsy.
The Office is open for business most days from 1:30 to 4:30... well, for me that it is. God gives you the luxury of choosing your own hours! The rent is cheap and the accodomations perfect! (There is rent control.. it hasn't been raised in 15 years and it is still very reasonable- nothing!) My maintenance fees are fixed... it is to just clean up after myself when I use it!) Obvioulsy, being out of doors, the weather can be a factor, but unusually, I only need to pay for the days I need to use the office!! (Where do you find that deal?) Many of you who know me have visited the Office in these years for an afternoon or two.. Parking is free, the furniture may not be up to your liking- but your welcome to bring your own. Like work, you can bring a lunch, or simply enjoy an occasiononal beverage from our wetbar! I don't need a secretary, so appointments are readily available, affording us the time to sit the afternoon away discussing what is important or.. just sit and discuss everything that is not!
It is a place to forget your stresses and be awestruck at God's delightful images of tranquility. It is a place to know that each day I am exactly where I am supposed to be. A place to get your work done. Your real work! It is a place where magic happens. It is beautifully and luxurioulsy decorated. The ocean sparkles like diamonds. Ladybugs are the Admins, flying in and out sometimes to bring us a message. The afternoon agenda is crammed with spirtual books or friends coming to discuss them... we laugh an afternoon off instead of worrying about what's for dinner. (Or honestly, out there, you could fish for it.. as many do). The utilities are the most efficient in any setting I've been in! FREE. It offers central heat and air..(and mist, to keep your pores refreshed once a week!) The sun shines and warms you like no furnace or fireplace could. The air-conditioning always kicks on around around 1pm. It is powering the most beautiful screensaver, a sailboat with its white billowy sails that is moving across the horizon line of my computer... it kicks on just in time for that needed break to refill our cup, and walk around the office and stretch! You can have animals if you choose, and if you do not, some are provided for you! Visitors from all over come to visit the Office. They come to watch how God conducts business each day. They take pictures of it and remember it as a place where heaven touches life.
It is here that I take my continuing education classes every summe! The "magazines" in the wating room are the best. Or perhaps, I bring my memory of Joyce's AM message with me to think upon as I discern my spiritual wholeness. I can listen to the signs and sounds of God's "Musac", squawking seagulls, rippling tides crashing against the rocks or a multitude of foreign dialects around me, (Japanese, Spanish, or a mother yelling at her kids!) The point is that the sounds and sights will be different for the indiviual out there in God's business office! We've all been hired for different jobs!
My latest read, ("The Alchemist"), and coincidentally, (or not), Joyce's message this morning speak of the same theme. And that is, to know what we have been called to do. Our path and to not rush it! Not easy work you say!! (and I say).. and yet I'm told repeadedtly in these days of August that in fact its a whole lot easier than we know! (Like the way the Office runs).
I am reminded constantly that God has work for us. A clear path of our goal that is also divine. The book suggests, "we all have a personal legend". Our mission, if we choose to accept it, is to get on the path of finding the legend. We all have one! Although, we must wait for the signs of what and where to do this! We are told that we innately know what this is and choke that filter of knowledge with every day living hassles and stress! We put our faith into worry and not into .. trust. We don't want or can't find the time to listen. To wait for our walking papers, so instead we panic and move toward directions that are not on the road of our legendary make up! We watch others and compare our living to them. We are convinced they are doing this better! We struggle to find out why things happen unfairly. Why something has ended prematurely. Why greed and control seems to win out! We spin our tires worrying about what is not for us to worry about.
Yesterday, I was at the Office alone. I was reading a very large document for a future meeting which may or may not be part of my legendary road map.. (we'll see). And I had opted to listen to God's Musac being pumped through his overhead Bose speakers down there..It was the sound of struggle. I put my document down realizing that I was witnessing an Office "altercation" at the "water fountain." I observed a seagull.. beautiful in stature and color. (strong). Tugging and digging and relentlessly pulling something from the shoreline. He was working with such determination and strength. I easily watched him for 10 minutes. (Love when God gives us a show to watch in the midst of our working day with him). Finally, the gull pulls out a large and lovely fish! Goodness it was amazing!!! I also noticed some other gulls hovering.. of course! No one helped him.. he did it all by himself. However, there was another gull around. Not being an expert on gulls I am not certain as to why this one is so different. It was quite large, brownish, spotty,and certainly not striking like the grey and white variety. It was also quite angry! Mean. It was hovering as well.. but hovering in a way that wasn't needy for the catch of the day.. but needy to take this away from the gull who had worked so hard for it. The ugly bird was heavier and bolder, for sure. But, I tried to be fair to the old bird.. and yet its interior ugliness was the part I was most unhappy with!
Not minutes after the grey gull retireved a fish fillet for himself and his constituents, (tail still flapping and neck wriggling around in the bird's beak,) the old brown bird made its place known! The old bird spread its large and overwhelming wingspan and ran after the gull. The other "birds" sat there and watched! The old bird yelled in seagull-ese at the grey gull! The grey gull couldn't respond much as it was needing to hold that flapping fish in its mouth tighter and tighter! The old bird got angrier as the grey gull turned and brought the fish over to the others. It became obvious to me that he was some sort of leader in this particular gull community. The one responsible for feeding the many. As soon as the gull turned to do his job, feed himself and the others, the old bird began pecking and biting the grey gull.. it surprised me however that after only one time of him using this abusive tactic did the grey gull drop the fish right in front of the ugly bird.. and walk away.
Ironically, a few events occured after this heartbreaking moment, during this "God Broadcast", commercial interruption if you will, that were my lessons yesterday! As soon as the ugly fish had possesion of the fish.. it stopped moving! It seemed dead to me in a way that only animals innately know NOT to eat something that might make them sick. Quickly the other "birds" rushed over to that old bird.. someone had to feed them afterall.. and when they got around the old bird and the flapped out fish lying dead.. they smelled it and walked off! The old bird no longer wanted it either, proceeding to throw it back into the ocean.. but remaining at the shore perched! Perhaps looking for another gull to find it some food before the sun sets that day.
And as for our silver gull, I watched him mostly especially! (He was silver to me now). Couldn't keep my eyes off of his movements after the surrender of the fish. He too sat at the shore of life and waited. Once in awhile he bellowed out a call.. but for the most part he sat idly and quietly. He was indeed, embarrassed at first.. and angry at himslef. I watched his pride fill up in his breast as he just gazed out blankly across the mist and fog. The other "birds" they did not bother with him.. although they really hadn't pre-hunt either. I felt for him. I felt for his lack of control in that situation. His obvious fear of being "pecked to death"..(sorry couldn't resist).. And him knowing the "pecking order" that was involved here! (again sorry). I watched him. I watched him watch the fish die that he worked so hard to pull out and feed himself and many with.. and yet, still he sat. I kept thinking to myslef, "What is going through his head while he just continues to sit there... seemingly oblivious to what just happened??"
In about 10 minutes following this silence I picked up my manuscript and decided that life needed to resume. The action was over. It was quiet and no one was squawking any longer. The other birds started hopping away and the silver gull remained silent, but now "aware" at the shore.
The old bird was still hanging around .. couldn't keep to itself either, it was still fixated on the silver gull. Yet the silver gull, without care of who or what was watching him, in a matter of moments surprised us all as he dove down quicker than you can say "EEL"... and had one triumphantly clutched in his mouth! It was wriggling about and it was completely and totally different than the fish! It came as such a surprise to me to see his his quiet, unplanned comeback!!! And with his eyes fixated up to the sky he gracefully opened his mouth wide, (like when you throw a grape up in the air and catch it in your mouth), and as the old bird came running over to swoop in ..he swallowed the whole thing in front of him....one motion.. gulp!
It was gone and.. in him! He fed himself this time. He then walked away without hestiation to hang out with some other birds and have fun!
I was so proud of silver boy! He learned his lesson.. A lesson intended for me to learn at my Office! "The Alchemist".. talks of listening to the Language of the World in nature. It speaks of observations that shouldn't be overlooked in seeking our Personal Legends. Yesterday was one of those days!
If you ever want to visit the office, just remember appointments aren't needed, nor is furniture, or refreshments.. just an open mind, heart and soul! Its a place where the sky is always clear and the ocean will wink back at you as it twinkles below the warmth of the afternoon sun!
Thanks for coming! Be sure to come again,
Miss Dawn
Another summer delight in addition to watching Joyce each morning is the ability to leisurely discern my future on a daily basis in a peaceful oasis.. and I do this with careful thought and consideration mind you. I have been fortunate to spend my afternoon time once again this summer, at what has come to be called, (jokingly for years), "My Office". The Office, is my.. well... "Office"... in the summer! (Not a classroom.. or is it???) I love the fact that since I began "renting space" at the Office each summer, numbers of life-altering events have gone on in my existence.. and yet the office continues to remain its beautiful, picturesque, oasis of learning overlooking the channel of the Atlantic. It is a place quite frankly, where life does stand still and changes simultaneoulsy.
The Office is open for business most days from 1:30 to 4:30... well, for me that it is. God gives you the luxury of choosing your own hours! The rent is cheap and the accodomations perfect! (There is rent control.. it hasn't been raised in 15 years and it is still very reasonable- nothing!) My maintenance fees are fixed... it is to just clean up after myself when I use it!) Obvioulsy, being out of doors, the weather can be a factor, but unusually, I only need to pay for the days I need to use the office!! (Where do you find that deal?) Many of you who know me have visited the Office in these years for an afternoon or two.. Parking is free, the furniture may not be up to your liking- but your welcome to bring your own. Like work, you can bring a lunch, or simply enjoy an occasiononal beverage from our wetbar! I don't need a secretary, so appointments are readily available, affording us the time to sit the afternoon away discussing what is important or.. just sit and discuss everything that is not!
It is a place to forget your stresses and be awestruck at God's delightful images of tranquility. It is a place to know that each day I am exactly where I am supposed to be. A place to get your work done. Your real work! It is a place where magic happens. It is beautifully and luxurioulsy decorated. The ocean sparkles like diamonds. Ladybugs are the Admins, flying in and out sometimes to bring us a message. The afternoon agenda is crammed with spirtual books or friends coming to discuss them... we laugh an afternoon off instead of worrying about what's for dinner. (Or honestly, out there, you could fish for it.. as many do). The utilities are the most efficient in any setting I've been in! FREE. It offers central heat and air..(and mist, to keep your pores refreshed once a week!) The sun shines and warms you like no furnace or fireplace could. The air-conditioning always kicks on around around 1pm. It is powering the most beautiful screensaver, a sailboat with its white billowy sails that is moving across the horizon line of my computer... it kicks on just in time for that needed break to refill our cup, and walk around the office and stretch! You can have animals if you choose, and if you do not, some are provided for you! Visitors from all over come to visit the Office. They come to watch how God conducts business each day. They take pictures of it and remember it as a place where heaven touches life.
It is here that I take my continuing education classes every summe! The "magazines" in the wating room are the best. Or perhaps, I bring my memory of Joyce's AM message with me to think upon as I discern my spiritual wholeness. I can listen to the signs and sounds of God's "Musac", squawking seagulls, rippling tides crashing against the rocks or a multitude of foreign dialects around me, (Japanese, Spanish, or a mother yelling at her kids!) The point is that the sounds and sights will be different for the indiviual out there in God's business office! We've all been hired for different jobs!
My latest read, ("The Alchemist"), and coincidentally, (or not), Joyce's message this morning speak of the same theme. And that is, to know what we have been called to do. Our path and to not rush it! Not easy work you say!! (and I say).. and yet I'm told repeadedtly in these days of August that in fact its a whole lot easier than we know! (Like the way the Office runs).
I am reminded constantly that God has work for us. A clear path of our goal that is also divine. The book suggests, "we all have a personal legend". Our mission, if we choose to accept it, is to get on the path of finding the legend. We all have one! Although, we must wait for the signs of what and where to do this! We are told that we innately know what this is and choke that filter of knowledge with every day living hassles and stress! We put our faith into worry and not into .. trust. We don't want or can't find the time to listen. To wait for our walking papers, so instead we panic and move toward directions that are not on the road of our legendary make up! We watch others and compare our living to them. We are convinced they are doing this better! We struggle to find out why things happen unfairly. Why something has ended prematurely. Why greed and control seems to win out! We spin our tires worrying about what is not for us to worry about.
Yesterday, I was at the Office alone. I was reading a very large document for a future meeting which may or may not be part of my legendary road map.. (we'll see). And I had opted to listen to God's Musac being pumped through his overhead Bose speakers down there..It was the sound of struggle. I put my document down realizing that I was witnessing an Office "altercation" at the "water fountain." I observed a seagull.. beautiful in stature and color. (strong). Tugging and digging and relentlessly pulling something from the shoreline. He was working with such determination and strength. I easily watched him for 10 minutes. (Love when God gives us a show to watch in the midst of our working day with him). Finally, the gull pulls out a large and lovely fish! Goodness it was amazing!!! I also noticed some other gulls hovering.. of course! No one helped him.. he did it all by himself. However, there was another gull around. Not being an expert on gulls I am not certain as to why this one is so different. It was quite large, brownish, spotty,and certainly not striking like the grey and white variety. It was also quite angry! Mean. It was hovering as well.. but hovering in a way that wasn't needy for the catch of the day.. but needy to take this away from the gull who had worked so hard for it. The ugly bird was heavier and bolder, for sure. But, I tried to be fair to the old bird.. and yet its interior ugliness was the part I was most unhappy with!
Not minutes after the grey gull retireved a fish fillet for himself and his constituents, (tail still flapping and neck wriggling around in the bird's beak,) the old brown bird made its place known! The old bird spread its large and overwhelming wingspan and ran after the gull. The other "birds" sat there and watched! The old bird yelled in seagull-ese at the grey gull! The grey gull couldn't respond much as it was needing to hold that flapping fish in its mouth tighter and tighter! The old bird got angrier as the grey gull turned and brought the fish over to the others. It became obvious to me that he was some sort of leader in this particular gull community. The one responsible for feeding the many. As soon as the gull turned to do his job, feed himself and the others, the old bird began pecking and biting the grey gull.. it surprised me however that after only one time of him using this abusive tactic did the grey gull drop the fish right in front of the ugly bird.. and walk away.
Ironically, a few events occured after this heartbreaking moment, during this "God Broadcast", commercial interruption if you will, that were my lessons yesterday! As soon as the ugly fish had possesion of the fish.. it stopped moving! It seemed dead to me in a way that only animals innately know NOT to eat something that might make them sick. Quickly the other "birds" rushed over to that old bird.. someone had to feed them afterall.. and when they got around the old bird and the flapped out fish lying dead.. they smelled it and walked off! The old bird no longer wanted it either, proceeding to throw it back into the ocean.. but remaining at the shore perched! Perhaps looking for another gull to find it some food before the sun sets that day.
And as for our silver gull, I watched him mostly especially! (He was silver to me now). Couldn't keep my eyes off of his movements after the surrender of the fish. He too sat at the shore of life and waited. Once in awhile he bellowed out a call.. but for the most part he sat idly and quietly. He was indeed, embarrassed at first.. and angry at himslef. I watched his pride fill up in his breast as he just gazed out blankly across the mist and fog. The other "birds" they did not bother with him.. although they really hadn't pre-hunt either. I felt for him. I felt for his lack of control in that situation. His obvious fear of being "pecked to death"..(sorry couldn't resist).. And him knowing the "pecking order" that was involved here! (again sorry). I watched him. I watched him watch the fish die that he worked so hard to pull out and feed himself and many with.. and yet, still he sat. I kept thinking to myslef, "What is going through his head while he just continues to sit there... seemingly oblivious to what just happened??"
In about 10 minutes following this silence I picked up my manuscript and decided that life needed to resume. The action was over. It was quiet and no one was squawking any longer. The other birds started hopping away and the silver gull remained silent, but now "aware" at the shore.
The old bird was still hanging around .. couldn't keep to itself either, it was still fixated on the silver gull. Yet the silver gull, without care of who or what was watching him, in a matter of moments surprised us all as he dove down quicker than you can say "EEL"... and had one triumphantly clutched in his mouth! It was wriggling about and it was completely and totally different than the fish! It came as such a surprise to me to see his his quiet, unplanned comeback!!! And with his eyes fixated up to the sky he gracefully opened his mouth wide, (like when you throw a grape up in the air and catch it in your mouth), and as the old bird came running over to swoop in ..he swallowed the whole thing in front of him....one motion.. gulp!
It was gone and.. in him! He fed himself this time. He then walked away without hestiation to hang out with some other birds and have fun!
I was so proud of silver boy! He learned his lesson.. A lesson intended for me to learn at my Office! "The Alchemist".. talks of listening to the Language of the World in nature. It speaks of observations that shouldn't be overlooked in seeking our Personal Legends. Yesterday was one of those days!
If you ever want to visit the office, just remember appointments aren't needed, nor is furniture, or refreshments.. just an open mind, heart and soul! Its a place where the sky is always clear and the ocean will wink back at you as it twinkles below the warmth of the afternoon sun!
Thanks for coming! Be sure to come again,
Miss Dawn
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Road Trippin'
Wikipedia tells me that a Road trip is a journey via automobile, sometimes unplanned or impromptu, or a journey involving sporting games away from home, thus encompassing any journey by automobile, regardless of stop en route.
Urban Dictionary states the following (printable versions.. however I love this site for its truthfulness and usage of word in a sentence!) 1. Road Trip - When a bunch of kids get in a car (most likely a VW Bus, with tons of drugs), and drive to an exotic destination (like Vegas or New Jersey). s.= "Hey dude let's go to Vegas! Hell Yeah! Road Trip!!"
Road trips are on my mind lately. Most especially since I just came off one.. I began to think on my most recent road trip about many other famous, (or infamous), fictional, (or non-fictional), road trips. There are the more famous varieties to look at.. Dorothy's road trip down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. (although no motor vehicle was involved, nonetheless, a road trip!) Harry and Sally's drive from Chicago to NYC.( The prelude to their future road trip as man and wife.) Then there's Little Miss Sunshine.. more reminiscent of my childhood road trips, (endless driving in a VW Bus with your whole family in the 60's and 70's but instead of Beauty Pageant quests we had to sleep in Civil War campgrounds..ugh), or the sillier Dumb and Dumber.. a film I never got! And then there is the Road to Emmaus.. the Easter story road trip where 2 of the disciples are befriended by a risen Jesus, "in disguise", on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus.. a 7 mile walking journey that involves the discussion between a stranger on the road in regard to Jesus' recent cruxifiction and Resurrection. Anyway you look at it an awaking happens on the road trips of life!
Movies and songs describing road trips are fantastic. I personally dig these songs!! Sometimes they ring true of moments in our existence, and sometimes they are very imaginary. They can conjure up wild images as only Jackson Browne's "Load out-Stay" can, and as equally captivating is the Eagles can paint, "Running down the road trying to loosen my load I got seven women on my mind... Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see, there's a girl my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!" or...they can cloud the mind in painful memories of arguments, unspoken truths, and blurted out bodily noises none of us care to remember! Human nature taking over. Point is.. no matter the truth, or the trip, the road has a way to get to the bottom of whatever is ruminating in the depths of our beings and blurt out the unspoken and the uncertain! I am convinced that Route 95 is a lay line underneath the Earth's surface.. it holds many of the world's secrets. It must... as many a traveller has unloaded their souls on the trip north or south.
Summertime for many, is the season of the road trip. Folks seem to travel as soon as school is released. They are looking for other lands. They are craving adventure and a neediness to "G'it outta Dodge." They are truly looking to get beyond the rainbow and find a place where happy little bluebirds fly and troubles melt like lemon drops.. when the body and mind.. and mostly the soul is tired of living in the Matrix. The road trip is a way to commune with your God. It allows us to see the world in ways we refuse too when stuck in suburbia. It forces us to befriend and speak to people who normally don't speak to us... or us to them.. such as a scarecrow or the boy we had a secret crush on in college whom we pretended to hate with a passion. Road trips equally make us deal with terror on the road.. flat tires, missed exits, hungry tigers, wicked witches, and traffic hold ups in the DC area! It invites us to strut our stuff in those Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots.. a Harley look perhaps.. red ruby slippers... where life is wild and showering, an option!
My recent road trip involved all those things. And it should because they are about real life. They help us tune out ordinary ho-hum and tune in to what really just happened...or what is about to happen when one lives outside of the Matrix. On this recent trip we, (my travelling partner and I), were using a device that tunes your Ipod into local stations in order to get a signal and play the music YOU want to hear. Interestingly enough, the tuning devise, (sometimes a royal pain in the...), would only pick up signal in areas that weren't congested. Places where the ho-hum of suburbia makes us go through the motions of survival each day.. those congested areas of our lives allow us to not see what is clear.. or in our/my case not HEAR what I wanted to hear! I just got static or FM. The switching of stations over and over 'til I desperately find something I like did not impress my partner.. sadly that is how we seem to roll... or even worse turning off the radio and tuning in to, "Living in quiet desperation..." , as the Floyd says.
Road trips teach us to get on the open road and explore.. find out.. research and let go of ordinary ways. Our Ipod was pre-programmed, but it was set to either play the prescribed music when wanted or set to shuffle to surprise us.. that's okay. Either way.. it was coming in clearly and it made us happy.
Life however still happens on the road trip.. as did mine. Car wrecks and constipation (sorry).. miles of bottomless promises to see this great thing called "South of the Border"... billboard signs along the road telling us we're in trouble with God, (No. Carolina) or, inviting us to a topless lunch with live music, (that would've been my choice of fun!).. also ironically in No. Carolina! Mixed messages abound one might say... nonetheless.. life. On this trip, I wasn't the driver most of the way.. and that was good.. My job.. was that I needed to makes sure on this adventure that we weren't receiving static, buying into misguided road stops, staying on course, and having fun! WOW.. isn't that what we are supposed to do every day??
I once began to write a book about traveling down life's road. It was to be called "The Rules of the Road". I still possess the draft of it. Recently, this year I believe, some other budding author published a book and came up with the same concept.. and title.. ironically.. which was proof that if you don't pick up and do it yourself someone else will! The road trip teaches us to embrace the moment... live in it,, instead of waiting for it.. but do it with a plan of some kind... or as my friend Jon always asks me, "Dawn.. what's your end game?" Road trips start somewhere and need to end somewhere.. they can't last forever... (life on the road can get overwhelmingly at times). Road trips take place somewhere over the rainbow looking for the great and powerful Oz.. but even Dottie knew that Kansas was her last stop. She had her eyes on her fries.. without one single McDonalds or Starbucks along the Yellow Brick Road. The Disciples eyes were opened to the realization that indeed the stranger was Jesus on the road to Emmaus.. a little girl traveling with people she adores on a VW bus realized her dream of being somebody, and Harry and Sally get married.. all due to a road trip!
My trip ends well. It ends up back home.. the nightmare being over..
with the realization that I have awoken from a dream and everyone was there. The road trip took me away and brought me back safely. Mishaps, some .. laughs.. more than I can mention.. and truly the return produced a rainbow in the sky in the company of friends! The promise of brighter days ahead, no static, that home is wherever life takes and makes you happy inside...
Safe Travels, Miss Dawn
Urban Dictionary states the following (printable versions.. however I love this site for its truthfulness and usage of word in a sentence!) 1. Road Trip - When a bunch of kids get in a car (most likely a VW Bus, with tons of drugs), and drive to an exotic destination (like Vegas or New Jersey). s.= "Hey dude let's go to Vegas! Hell Yeah! Road Trip!!"
Road trips are on my mind lately. Most especially since I just came off one.. I began to think on my most recent road trip about many other famous, (or infamous), fictional, (or non-fictional), road trips. There are the more famous varieties to look at.. Dorothy's road trip down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. (although no motor vehicle was involved, nonetheless, a road trip!) Harry and Sally's drive from Chicago to NYC.( The prelude to their future road trip as man and wife.) Then there's Little Miss Sunshine.. more reminiscent of my childhood road trips, (endless driving in a VW Bus with your whole family in the 60's and 70's but instead of Beauty Pageant quests we had to sleep in Civil War campgrounds..ugh), or the sillier Dumb and Dumber.. a film I never got! And then there is the Road to Emmaus.. the Easter story road trip where 2 of the disciples are befriended by a risen Jesus, "in disguise", on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus.. a 7 mile walking journey that involves the discussion between a stranger on the road in regard to Jesus' recent cruxifiction and Resurrection. Anyway you look at it an awaking happens on the road trips of life!
Movies and songs describing road trips are fantastic. I personally dig these songs!! Sometimes they ring true of moments in our existence, and sometimes they are very imaginary. They can conjure up wild images as only Jackson Browne's "Load out-Stay" can, and as equally captivating is the Eagles can paint, "Running down the road trying to loosen my load I got seven women on my mind... Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see, there's a girl my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!" or...they can cloud the mind in painful memories of arguments, unspoken truths, and blurted out bodily noises none of us care to remember! Human nature taking over. Point is.. no matter the truth, or the trip, the road has a way to get to the bottom of whatever is ruminating in the depths of our beings and blurt out the unspoken and the uncertain! I am convinced that Route 95 is a lay line underneath the Earth's surface.. it holds many of the world's secrets. It must... as many a traveller has unloaded their souls on the trip north or south.
Summertime for many, is the season of the road trip. Folks seem to travel as soon as school is released. They are looking for other lands. They are craving adventure and a neediness to "G'it outta Dodge." They are truly looking to get beyond the rainbow and find a place where happy little bluebirds fly and troubles melt like lemon drops.. when the body and mind.. and mostly the soul is tired of living in the Matrix. The road trip is a way to commune with your God. It allows us to see the world in ways we refuse too when stuck in suburbia. It forces us to befriend and speak to people who normally don't speak to us... or us to them.. such as a scarecrow or the boy we had a secret crush on in college whom we pretended to hate with a passion. Road trips equally make us deal with terror on the road.. flat tires, missed exits, hungry tigers, wicked witches, and traffic hold ups in the DC area! It invites us to strut our stuff in those Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots.. a Harley look perhaps.. red ruby slippers... where life is wild and showering, an option!
My recent road trip involved all those things. And it should because they are about real life. They help us tune out ordinary ho-hum and tune in to what really just happened...or what is about to happen when one lives outside of the Matrix. On this recent trip we, (my travelling partner and I), were using a device that tunes your Ipod into local stations in order to get a signal and play the music YOU want to hear. Interestingly enough, the tuning devise, (sometimes a royal pain in the...), would only pick up signal in areas that weren't congested. Places where the ho-hum of suburbia makes us go through the motions of survival each day.. those congested areas of our lives allow us to not see what is clear.. or in our/my case not HEAR what I wanted to hear! I just got static or FM. The switching of stations over and over 'til I desperately find something I like did not impress my partner.. sadly that is how we seem to roll... or even worse turning off the radio and tuning in to, "Living in quiet desperation..." , as the Floyd says.
Road trips teach us to get on the open road and explore.. find out.. research and let go of ordinary ways. Our Ipod was pre-programmed, but it was set to either play the prescribed music when wanted or set to shuffle to surprise us.. that's okay. Either way.. it was coming in clearly and it made us happy.
Life however still happens on the road trip.. as did mine. Car wrecks and constipation (sorry).. miles of bottomless promises to see this great thing called "South of the Border"... billboard signs along the road telling us we're in trouble with God, (No. Carolina) or, inviting us to a topless lunch with live music, (that would've been my choice of fun!).. also ironically in No. Carolina! Mixed messages abound one might say... nonetheless.. life. On this trip, I wasn't the driver most of the way.. and that was good.. My job.. was that I needed to makes sure on this adventure that we weren't receiving static, buying into misguided road stops, staying on course, and having fun! WOW.. isn't that what we are supposed to do every day??
I once began to write a book about traveling down life's road. It was to be called "The Rules of the Road". I still possess the draft of it. Recently, this year I believe, some other budding author published a book and came up with the same concept.. and title.. ironically.. which was proof that if you don't pick up and do it yourself someone else will! The road trip teaches us to embrace the moment... live in it,, instead of waiting for it.. but do it with a plan of some kind... or as my friend Jon always asks me, "Dawn.. what's your end game?" Road trips start somewhere and need to end somewhere.. they can't last forever... (life on the road can get overwhelmingly at times). Road trips take place somewhere over the rainbow looking for the great and powerful Oz.. but even Dottie knew that Kansas was her last stop. She had her eyes on her fries.. without one single McDonalds or Starbucks along the Yellow Brick Road. The Disciples eyes were opened to the realization that indeed the stranger was Jesus on the road to Emmaus.. a little girl traveling with people she adores on a VW bus realized her dream of being somebody, and Harry and Sally get married.. all due to a road trip!
My trip ends well. It ends up back home.. the nightmare being over..
with the realization that I have awoken from a dream and everyone was there. The road trip took me away and brought me back safely. Mishaps, some .. laughs.. more than I can mention.. and truly the return produced a rainbow in the sky in the company of friends! The promise of brighter days ahead, no static, that home is wherever life takes and makes you happy inside...
Safe Travels, Miss Dawn
Monday, June 15, 2009
"He got up rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, "Quiet. Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." (Mark 4:39).
As I meditate on this week's coming Gospel message two things happen for me... I think that my former students know this passage SOOO very well. (As they could teach it themselves, they've heard me quote it so many times!). And, that it happens to fall into contemplative alignment of where my life is heading at the moment. A storm being quieted down by Jesus himself.
Let's open this story a bit. We have the Disciples and Jesus out on the Galilee on a small fishing vessel. They are crossing one side of the lake to another.. quite a journey in a small boat. A normal day to be sure. It was probably very warm and fishing was good. Jesus sitting in the stern of the boat nods off for 40 winks. Then, as things are seemingly good and uneventful in life, a storm comes out of nowhere. Jesus is sleeping and the Disciples are scrambling around doing what sailors do when a storm kicks up suddenly. I am sure they are bringing down the mainsail, (probably just one anyway on this little boat), bailing the water that is rising to their kneecaps, protecting each other from thunder and lightening..perhaps protecting the fish, if any, that they caught..or thinking they can catch while a storm is present! All the while Jesus is sleeping on the stern cushion..I love it. The minute the sky turned black did they turn to Jesus? No. When the water was rushing in like crazy did they wake Jesus? No. No, in fact the Disciples wait until they can't fix the problem themselves do they "invite Jesus" to help them solve this one! Typical of human nature.. when our boats are sinking, we call out to Jesus in panic.
At this critical moment the questions toward Jesus begin surfacing from our needy friends and from Jesus.. (I need to laugh thinking.. "These guys are fishermen.. imagine their language and line of questioning?" ) Anyhow, like any of us, in a time of crisis we turn to God and fire away.
"Lord, wake up! Don't you care that we drown?" Well, what an interesting question. One I have asked more than once in my lifetime when things seem impossible. Don't we all. "Well of course I care you silly men.." Jesus is thinking.. not saying a word.. He arises in the boat reaches out his arms over the raging sea and says, "Be Still. Be quiet. Quit". Basically a big ol' "SHUT UP" to these thrashing waves. And it stops. "Peace, be still." As Mark tells us, it is replaced by calmness. Like when we wish Peace unto another in church, the way Jesus always did when he entered a room, no matter the conditions. However, the squall of this nature may have ended but another type is just being introduced. Jesus' reaction to the Disciples...
"Why are you so afraid?" "Do you still not trust?" Two great questions. It can be so overwhelmingly difficult in times of trial to really trust in God. Jesus asks these questions almost in disgust. Who can blame him? When I relate this story to the children.. their mouths hang open at Jesus making the wind and water cease.. why not? It's a wonderfully dramatic story. A thriller, cliff-hanger. Then when I get into character, playing the part of the worried and faithless Disciples.."Well.. Jesus where were you? We were drowning? Why and how could you have slept through that storm?" The children laugh at me! They laugh because I'm pretty good at playing that role at times.. and they also laugh because they have the faith of God. The are believers naturally. They must be. They are reliant on their "other" parents for everything in life... Protection, shelter, food, love, and comfort. They don't doubt where their next meal(s) or snacks come from. They believe it will happen. They don't worry about how to get to school tomorrow.. they never worry about being comforted when injured or distressed.. or what clothing will be available to them on that special occasion. BECAUSE... they TRUST these people called mother and father! Just like we need to trust our Father in heaven.
This week I was recently tested in a crisis. It was awful. I lost my car keys. I was moving some things and left my keys accidentally in a place where they weren't safe. I was overwhelmed by other thoughts and details.. and did something careless. I was, indeed horrified though, because I had locked in my wheels my purse..(my wallet, personal things, etc), and my cell phone. Yikes! The most horrifying moment however.. to make matters even more compelling was that sometime between last summer and now, I have searched for the spare key for that "just in case" moment. I am not a pack rat and usually know exactly where things are. I knew for a long time where that spare was and then one day in September I could not locate it.. kept thinking it will turn up when I need it. WELL.. I NEEDED IT! These new electronic keys are very expensive to replace. (Of course a warranty doesn't pay for your own stupidity). SO I went on a pilgrimage to find the lost set. I trekked to places so dangerous.. I care not repeat it here. In the midst of this journey, I began telling God as I walked and hunted.. that I wasn't thinking I could handle one more thing right now. I was truly at my wits end...my faith tested and belief in a higher order now compromised. I was panicked and in tears. (Obviously more going on here than just the loss of the keys).. But had I cried out to God yet before this moment?..not really. I thought I could bail the water of that boat myself.. waiting and careful not to "disturb" Jesus while He slept..hmm.
The pilgrimage turned up empty. I was out of options except to go the dealership and pay out a couple of hundred bucks to replace my keys. Ugh. I thought, well maybe I'll see if AAA should come first.. a moment of desperation. The AAA man arrives and pops my car door. The alarm goes off and ceases. He then asks.. "where are your keys?" I sheepishly tell him that I haven't any. I begin to explain my story and sit down in the passenger seat..I'm out of faith virtually. I sit and put my forward on the steering wheel..in tears. He's telling me he can disarm the alarm system.. and blah, blah blah.. Then the alarm quieted almost immediately as my tears flowed .."Be quiet. Be still" was Jesus' voice echoing. And for no other reason I can justify or know I looked under my driver's seat. WHY? I just cleaned and vacuumed my car a week ago.. and sitting in the mechanics of the chair on the floor... WAS THE SPARE!
I took a double take and reached in for it. I pulled it out like I had just plucked the Holy Grail out of The Temple of Doom! I smiled so hard .. beaming actually! And popped out of the seat..shouting, "I don't believe this .. I don't believe this!" The tow truck driver just looked at me as this instantaneous act of God happened, and said, "Hey lady, you keep your spare under the seat?" I said.. " There is a God!!!" And he replied, (looking at me like I was nuts and writing on his clipboard), "Shit yeah there is a God!" I laughed so hard.. into tears. This guy was not phased not one bit by any of my actions or expressions. I told him the story.. and he looked at me and said, "Those keys are expensive!"
I was amazed. Truly amazed. God found my key. Maybe not the original set (which was lighter these days anyhow having just got rid of 2 keys I no longer needed that same afternoon!) But, I had the key to get me what I needed in more ways than one. My father (not God..), then attached a brand new key to home on that keyring. Rather symbolic one might say. (I also got the disgusted grumblings of fatherly wisdom.."You're damn lucky!")
Luck. no.. Tested in faith? yes.
So our final question brings me to the Disciples last line of questioning to their teacher, "What kind of man is this that even the winds and the waves listen to him?" Prior to Friday morning I would've said, ask the AAA Roadside Assistance guy.. but I today I say, "No man at all, but God himself."
Peace be with you,
Miss Dawn
As I meditate on this week's coming Gospel message two things happen for me... I think that my former students know this passage SOOO very well. (As they could teach it themselves, they've heard me quote it so many times!). And, that it happens to fall into contemplative alignment of where my life is heading at the moment. A storm being quieted down by Jesus himself.
Let's open this story a bit. We have the Disciples and Jesus out on the Galilee on a small fishing vessel. They are crossing one side of the lake to another.. quite a journey in a small boat. A normal day to be sure. It was probably very warm and fishing was good. Jesus sitting in the stern of the boat nods off for 40 winks. Then, as things are seemingly good and uneventful in life, a storm comes out of nowhere. Jesus is sleeping and the Disciples are scrambling around doing what sailors do when a storm kicks up suddenly. I am sure they are bringing down the mainsail, (probably just one anyway on this little boat), bailing the water that is rising to their kneecaps, protecting each other from thunder and lightening..perhaps protecting the fish, if any, that they caught..or thinking they can catch while a storm is present! All the while Jesus is sleeping on the stern cushion..I love it. The minute the sky turned black did they turn to Jesus? No. When the water was rushing in like crazy did they wake Jesus? No. No, in fact the Disciples wait until they can't fix the problem themselves do they "invite Jesus" to help them solve this one! Typical of human nature.. when our boats are sinking, we call out to Jesus in panic.
At this critical moment the questions toward Jesus begin surfacing from our needy friends and from Jesus.. (I need to laugh thinking.. "These guys are fishermen.. imagine their language and line of questioning?" ) Anyhow, like any of us, in a time of crisis we turn to God and fire away.
"Lord, wake up! Don't you care that we drown?" Well, what an interesting question. One I have asked more than once in my lifetime when things seem impossible. Don't we all. "Well of course I care you silly men.." Jesus is thinking.. not saying a word.. He arises in the boat reaches out his arms over the raging sea and says, "Be Still. Be quiet. Quit". Basically a big ol' "SHUT UP" to these thrashing waves. And it stops. "Peace, be still." As Mark tells us, it is replaced by calmness. Like when we wish Peace unto another in church, the way Jesus always did when he entered a room, no matter the conditions. However, the squall of this nature may have ended but another type is just being introduced. Jesus' reaction to the Disciples...
"Why are you so afraid?" "Do you still not trust?" Two great questions. It can be so overwhelmingly difficult in times of trial to really trust in God. Jesus asks these questions almost in disgust. Who can blame him? When I relate this story to the children.. their mouths hang open at Jesus making the wind and water cease.. why not? It's a wonderfully dramatic story. A thriller, cliff-hanger. Then when I get into character, playing the part of the worried and faithless Disciples.."Well.. Jesus where were you? We were drowning? Why and how could you have slept through that storm?" The children laugh at me! They laugh because I'm pretty good at playing that role at times.. and they also laugh because they have the faith of God. The are believers naturally. They must be. They are reliant on their "other" parents for everything in life... Protection, shelter, food, love, and comfort. They don't doubt where their next meal(s) or snacks come from. They believe it will happen. They don't worry about how to get to school tomorrow.. they never worry about being comforted when injured or distressed.. or what clothing will be available to them on that special occasion. BECAUSE... they TRUST these people called mother and father! Just like we need to trust our Father in heaven.
This week I was recently tested in a crisis. It was awful. I lost my car keys. I was moving some things and left my keys accidentally in a place where they weren't safe. I was overwhelmed by other thoughts and details.. and did something careless. I was, indeed horrified though, because I had locked in my wheels my purse..(my wallet, personal things, etc), and my cell phone. Yikes! The most horrifying moment however.. to make matters even more compelling was that sometime between last summer and now, I have searched for the spare key for that "just in case" moment. I am not a pack rat and usually know exactly where things are. I knew for a long time where that spare was and then one day in September I could not locate it.. kept thinking it will turn up when I need it. WELL.. I NEEDED IT! These new electronic keys are very expensive to replace. (Of course a warranty doesn't pay for your own stupidity). SO I went on a pilgrimage to find the lost set. I trekked to places so dangerous.. I care not repeat it here. In the midst of this journey, I began telling God as I walked and hunted.. that I wasn't thinking I could handle one more thing right now. I was truly at my wits end...my faith tested and belief in a higher order now compromised. I was panicked and in tears. (Obviously more going on here than just the loss of the keys).. But had I cried out to God yet before this moment?..not really. I thought I could bail the water of that boat myself.. waiting and careful not to "disturb" Jesus while He slept..hmm.
The pilgrimage turned up empty. I was out of options except to go the dealership and pay out a couple of hundred bucks to replace my keys. Ugh. I thought, well maybe I'll see if AAA should come first.. a moment of desperation. The AAA man arrives and pops my car door. The alarm goes off and ceases. He then asks.. "where are your keys?" I sheepishly tell him that I haven't any. I begin to explain my story and sit down in the passenger seat..I'm out of faith virtually. I sit and put my forward on the steering wheel..in tears. He's telling me he can disarm the alarm system.. and blah, blah blah.. Then the alarm quieted almost immediately as my tears flowed .."Be quiet. Be still" was Jesus' voice echoing. And for no other reason I can justify or know I looked under my driver's seat. WHY? I just cleaned and vacuumed my car a week ago.. and sitting in the mechanics of the chair on the floor... WAS THE SPARE!
I took a double take and reached in for it. I pulled it out like I had just plucked the Holy Grail out of The Temple of Doom! I smiled so hard .. beaming actually! And popped out of the seat..shouting, "I don't believe this .. I don't believe this!" The tow truck driver just looked at me as this instantaneous act of God happened, and said, "Hey lady, you keep your spare under the seat?" I said.. " There is a God!!!" And he replied, (looking at me like I was nuts and writing on his clipboard), "Shit yeah there is a God!" I laughed so hard.. into tears. This guy was not phased not one bit by any of my actions or expressions. I told him the story.. and he looked at me and said, "Those keys are expensive!"
I was amazed. Truly amazed. God found my key. Maybe not the original set (which was lighter these days anyhow having just got rid of 2 keys I no longer needed that same afternoon!) But, I had the key to get me what I needed in more ways than one. My father (not God..), then attached a brand new key to home on that keyring. Rather symbolic one might say. (I also got the disgusted grumblings of fatherly wisdom.."You're damn lucky!")
Luck. no.. Tested in faith? yes.
So our final question brings me to the Disciples last line of questioning to their teacher, "What kind of man is this that even the winds and the waves listen to him?" Prior to Friday morning I would've said, ask the AAA Roadside Assistance guy.. but I today I say, "No man at all, but God himself."
Peace be with you,
Miss Dawn
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