high tech vs low tech

Last night I got a great surprise!  Via Skype I got to attend Zack's Christmas play.  Just to remind you...he is in the state of Washington and I am in West Virginia.  I got to hear his class sing one of my favorite Christmas gospel songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uViv_teAGpY&feature=related
This isn't them singing but this is the song.  I could actually see him, rocking out.  I missed part of it as our connection died but I got to see most of it.  All the while, every time our connection was lost I would text my son Nick and we would re-connect.  Oh, the wonders of technology!

To be a part of their life, while so far away made me sad last night but also made me think about God.  We are so far from him.  Sometimes farther than others...like during good times...it is hard to remember to start my day with him or to pray every morning.   Sometimes closer, especially during hardships...when I fall to my knees several times a day.

Without all of the high tech he wants to be connected.  Just like I want to stay connected to my kids.  He (like me) I am sure, loves those unexpected prayers when we say...just checking in, let me catch you up on my life.   Like me, a smile will spread across his face...I am sure!  Today, I encourage each of you to STOP...take a minute and reconnect with your God...he is the parent that is waiting to hear from you...the parent that wants to talk and hear about your life..the parent that wants to smile, laugh and cry with you...in all stages of your life.  Skype with God...give God a shout out. 
Today...do it!

it comes along

I haven't blogged for awhile...
You know when you least expect it...when you don't have a clue....when you aren't looking...someone can come along and just sweep you off your feet.  I am still in shock...I think because it was so unexpected...you know I've been out there looking and through it all that little God voice in my head has always said "He will come to you..." That didn't make me slow down! I was hunting because you know I know better than God...when will I learn...someone along the way shared with me the following prayer, which I prayed daily.

Dear God
Fill me with your sacred presence
I ask for your love and guidance
and for your blessings
as I explore the deep reaches of my heart
I ask for your assistance
In releasing whatever stands in the way of true love.
My heart is pure and my intentions are clear.
Please bring me my perfect partner
Whoever it may be...bring him to me.
I want someone who enhances me just by being
who brings love, joy, peace and prosperity to me
who I can love fully and will receive my love
who loves, honors and cherishes me completely and always
May my heart be open and my head clear
may my life be ready to welcome true love
may i be embraced in your love
and uplifted by your grace
Amen

 I feel like God has walked with me throughout this entire journey...he has been right there with me through the tears and the fears...those first tentative steps into dating and now he has given me the greatest gift.  He has put this wonderful man in my life and said "It is good!"  I feel like he has laid a gift in my lap.

I am blessed!

The meeting

I find this poem beautiful and thought I would share.  I first saw it written on a wall at Brookgreen Gardens outside of Murrell's Inlet.

The Meeting
By:  Archbald Rutlodge

Men made me dread to meet
God- but I found it sweet-
I who had disobeyed
The laws men said he made
Yet from him wasn't no "You!
You wretch for mercy sure!
You wicked sinner!" Rather,
Just like a gentle father
"Son, how your garden grows!
I love that yellow rose.
And that narcissus seems
come from a land of dreams.
For the fine work you've done
I'm proud of you dear son.

enjoy and bask in  it...that is what I expect God to be like when we meet.

scary day

Since today is Halloween I thought I would talk about scary movies.  Have you ever seen the movie by Alfred Hitchcock called "The Birds"?  Talk about scary!  I remember watching as a kid.  I was petrified of birds after seeing that,  especially flocks of birds!  I knew they were going to peck my eyes out!

This morning I was sitting here at the computer and heard this noise and thought it was my washing machine since I am washing clothes...so I kept ignoring it...but it didn't go away when cycles changed.  So, I went to investigate and in the three trees behind the house was a flock or two or three of birds.  Black birds (just like in the movie The Birds!) and the air was full of the hissing sound of those birds.  When I walked out the dogs went with me and they just stood there with me and took it all in.  What an amazing thing.  When we walked out they flew in a circle and came right back and landed in the same trees. 

One of my favorite movies is "Winged Migration" it has no vocals but are just these beautiful shots of birds in flight.  I love independent films and wish so much we had an independent movie theater in Charleston.  I remember seeing this movie in Shepherdstown.  Zack, when he was little would watch it for hours. 

There is nothing that says fall is coming more than Canada geese flying in formation over the house, close to the roof as they ready to land at the golf course.  I love to stand and watch them fly over.

Fall is here and another year will soon pass.  I finally feel like I've come full circle.  If I could sing the Lion King song "The Circle of Life" I would about now!! Isn't it funny life's circle and I guess through it all you have to be comfortable with yourself.  You have to know what and who you are.  What and who you believe and what and who you will serve.  I am God's and he is mine. 

I get it God...I don't need "Be still and listen" anymore!

laugh

Laughter is such a gift.  I laugh when I am nervous and when I am happy.  Anyone that really knows me well knows the difference between the two.  One is a little thin laugh and the other is usually a belly laugh that comes right from my heart.  I love to be reading or watching tv and suddenly something really funny touches you makes you laugh.  It is unexpected and the laugh is real.  The kids can make me laugh, with what they say and what they do.

My grandaughter Taylor has what we always called a "bar room laugh" which is a great throaty laugh.  Sounds like a wench that has been drinking all night.  Nothing wrong with the sound!  Having laughter is a blessing.  To see life in such a way as you can laugh is a gift from God.  Even those thin laughs in the time of hardships is a joy.  I lost my laughter after the divorce but it is making its way back.

I am still reading "Cutting for Stone" and the quote for the day is:
"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." 
Don't you love the thought of God laughing?  Can you imagine the sound.  I bet he has a bar room laugh.  He is joyful so I am sure he laughs quite often.  I am sure we make him laugh often!

I am throwing all plans out the window and God this is your plan...I am only on the path! Now stop that.. quit your laughing!
PS:  Don't you love the picture of Jesus laughing!

cutting for stone II

A couple more quotes...I can't write them down fast enough...

We are all fixing what is broken.  It is the task of a lifetime.  We'll leave much for the next generation.
Life is like that!  You live it forward but understand it backwards.

I can't put this book down.  It has been a long time since I've started a book like that.
I will keep you updated

cutting for stone

I started next month's book club book and am smitten from the start.

I have to share with you a quote that had me stopping.  (I was on the treadmill as I read!) and writing it down to remember.
Here goes!

When Marion asked the Matron what he should do in his life, she said:
"What is the hardest thing you can possibly do?" This made him squirm and ask "Why"
And here it comes!
"Because, Marion, you are an instrument of God.  Don't leave the instrument sitting in its case, my son, Play!
Leave no part of your instrument unexplored.  Why settle for "Three Blind Mice" when you can play the "Gloria".
I will let that sit in your heart and let you turn it over and over and ponder the thought.
Isn't that a beautiful analogy.  It makes me wonder at age 55 can I dust off my instrument and play it anew!
Thank you Abraham Verghese.  The book is "Cutting for Stone" and I can't wait to read on.