A Fellow Traveller

Since suddenly breaking my ankle and feeling sidelined, I'm reflecting on how to keep one's optimism during a down time. I'm finding a growing appreciation for simple things. It's easy to take things for granted, especially when life is flying by at top speed. Having it suddenly stop gives you time to reflect..... Now I'm finding a daily choice with how to deal with the negative. Do I focus on what I don't have or do I embrace what I am able to enjoy? Two friends came to visit this morning and our conversation ha s warmed my heart, making me thankful for girl friends and muffins. Now an e mail has come with the following prayer. It sums up my thinking of what I really need for each day. Maybe it's the simple things that can be "just enough". . . . for myself and for those I love. I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I pray you enough happ...

I was first of all just a thought, an image, but my creator God knew who I would become. He set to work, fashioning me inside my mother's womb, using everything available to him. In that dark place, cells divided and organs were formed putting all the pieces in place for further development. My personality, my talents, my purpose all were part of that plan. Even at my birth, it didn't matter that I wasn't fully complete, because he knew an entire lifetime would be needed to develop my character. The amazing thing is how he continues to create, using the dark circumstances to add more depth, more texture and interest. Dot upon dot, even the solid black becomes beauty when contrasted with the light. Only a master artist can take what others would consider mistakes and create beauty from pain. Only a master artist can continue a masterpiece until completion, even when others say it looks fine. If he hadn't invested love and poured all of himself into the process, it wo...

GOD ANSWER YOU ON THE DAY YOU CRASH, THE NAME GOD-OF-JACOB PUT YOU OUT OF HARM'S WAY. I had woken early with these words from The Message (Psalm 20) in my mind, thinking I'd share them later with a friend who had been having a bad day. About 30 minutes later, I found myself slipping on black ice and going down with an armful of papers. As I heard a dreaded CRACK from above my right ankle. I didn't want to believe that I could be in this much trouble. The pain told me I couldn't ignore it, especially when I gingerly tried to put my weight on a foot that was screaming. A glance up and down the street showed no lights on at any homes; no one up early on a Saturday. My only choice was to crawl back up on the porch I had just stepped off of, only this time to ring their doorbell. As the owners peered out, trying to figure out who was there, I was thankful for their concern. They helped me to their vehicle, drove me home to get my health card and then on to the hospital...

The alarm brought me out of a restless sleep to a new week - a Monday. I lay awake thinking of my day, then jumped up to get the papers done. As I walked, I thought of a quick email I wanted to send before leaving for the day and I went over a few lesson plans in my mind. But there seemed to be a lot of people up early. My walking routine allows my mind to process many other things at the same time. This is my favourite part of the day. I saw a child in his PJ's saying good-bye to Daddy. I noticed cars warming up their engines in the frigid air. Almost all the houses had light on, yet I kept wondering why so many people were up early? I am usually one of only a few earlyrisers in the neighbourhood. Could I be late? It didn't make sense because I had responded to my trusty alarm clock (but hadn't actually looked at it to see the time.) It wasn't till I saw Notre Dame high school students emerging that I started to panic. The boy who gave me the time had no idea that I...

Yesterday I asked the question,"How can I restore my soul on the fly? When my schedule has little breathing space, how can I get through the day intact?" Because my Shepherd knows me intimately and walks right beside me, the moments of restoration come in bite sized pieces. There was the soothing music on the car radio, the extra walking time at the end of the day to deliver the dreaded flyers, the giving of service that brought quiet satisfaction, a meeting that took me out of the classroom for a day and an encouraging talk with fellow staff. I wish for a vacation yet the peace has to come from within. I wish for alone time, yet it is in giving to others that my purpose is fulfilled. I want the busyness of the season to pass me by, yet in the midst of it all, the unexpected quiet moments can restore. If only I can quiet my mind enough to enjoy these fleeting moments, I will gain the strength to navigate the stressful times.

1. God is my Shepherd (echo) I am his little lamb (echo) He feeds and looks after me (echo) I have everything I need (echo) Inside my heart is quiet (echo) Like lying still in soft grass (echo) In a meadow, by a stream my Shepherd cares for me. 2. Even when I walk through (echo) The scary, lonely places (echo) I don’t have to be afraid (echo) Because my shepherd knows I’m here (echo) He walks right beside me (echo) I trust him and I feel secure (echo) He keeps me safe and rescues me. He makes me strong and brave. 3. My Shepherd is preparing (echo) Wonderful things for me (echo) Everything I’ve dreamed of (echo) In heaven just for me (echo) He fills my heart with happiness (echo) I can’t hold it all inside (echo) God’s Never-Stopping Forever Love will always chase after me. My tune is "I am a Pizza". No matter what your tune may be, the truth of these words needs to sink in and connect to whatever the day's struggles may be.

Over me, under me, I am surrounded, I am surrounded by You You are holding me, constantly, I am astounded how I am surrounded by You. Those words (and corresponding music) has been in my head all week, making the truth expand to fill my heart. The truth of love and grace can surround me like air, even as I am unaware of my breathing it in and out. Sometimes I need protection over me. Often I need strength that supports and holds me up. I also need the comfort and assurance of arms of love that can wrap around me when I feel inadequate. The ultimate truth is that as I call out to Jesus, his love can be all that and more.