Avoiding Erosion

The gravel pathway had large cracks of water erosion all along where the pine trees give their shade. As I made my way along this area I was careful not to get too close to these edges for fear of dumping a shoe into the water. I stayed on the safer areas where the gravel was sure and packed down tightly. Each step I took was one made with confidence because the areas I chose for my footing were not loose with gravel.

The choices I am making in my daily walk matter this much. When I am not careful to step with confident footing, my steps slip more and I become less sure of my way. Without purpose to care which direction I am heading I can be washed away in a ditch of erosion. This is especially true if I am not mindful of my thoughts.

Eye Of A Tornado

Sitting still in the middle of a storm is new for me. I liken my moment in time to trying to find the eye of a tornado. Once I push through the rushing funnel of winds trying to carry me away, I start to hear again. My feet steady themselves upon the ground beneath me and I plant myself to remain in this centered place.

My eyes can glimpse the debris of life swirling in the dark clouds around me. I am not tempted to reach out and grab any of it. Now is the time to let go of clutter I had collected. I look up and all I can see is the continued promise of clear skies and great peace.

The Rain Would Be Back

valley-viewThe clouds thickened overhead and covered distant mountains so my vision was limited to the valley floors. Even then I couldn’t clearly make out all the suburbs. It had been a long time since I had been up this way and I remembered the family of deer I had seen here last spring. Looking around it was obvious they still came to this grassy area to lay down for rest.

I sat next to my best friend and husband, sharing this peaceful moment. I wanted to linger until my heart had nothing more to offer. An older guy with a camera was somewhere nearby but he was discreetly keeping his distance, affording us some privacy for conversation.

We didn’t need to speak too much. Our daily minutia didn’t belong here. We spoke at length to our heavenly Father, in awe of His beauty, mercy and power. The rain was going to be back again soon, it was time to get up and move on.

Ever Ready For The Punch

boxing-gloves

I had been on my feet only moments before and even now I was still standing in my physical body, but inwardly the unexpected punch of words had knocked me down. I had no words to speak back, and they weren’t ready to be received in this moment had I offered any. The blow was surprising but I brushed myself off quickly and replanted my spiritual feet. I was in a fight and I knew it but there was no way I was going down a second time.

Strategy came quickly, say nothing to agree with my enemy’s voice. I heard him circling around me and trying to poke at me to see where I was weak. This was a new move for him but not one I couldn’t recognize in a matter of moments. I could hear his pathetic whining longing to draw me into making a wrong move. I firmly held my place, keeping my gloves ever ready, my eyes and ears wary for his next move. The taunts he brought no longer swayed me to drop my arms in discouragement. In the background I heard the bell ring, this round I had won!

Psalms 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble

Discretionary Understanding

We had to hit the store late this evening and as I hung out in the background, our cashier started to spill everything she knew about the woman and child who had just left her line. I couldn’t help but watch her intently while she talked so knowledgably about this person who was clearly not family. She made eye contact with us as she talked but not once did she reveal anything of herself, it was all things she knew about others.

I have become more cautious in my chatter these days but not because I don’t know things about others. My caution is in respecting the lives that are lived around me, and which I am so often blessed to be a part of. Something about my spilling every detail of their personal lives would seem to dishonor knowing them at all.

Pro 2:11  Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you

Living Stone Wants To Roll

My job deals with other people’s money and a whole lot of customer service. For all my good intentions I can be pushed too far by the relentless in nature. Some days I feel like a stone being polished by the grit and sandiness of others and it’s all I can do to stand fast. My confession however are the moments I “snap” under the duress. In time’s past my mouth would have let fly with all kinds of obscenities and nowadays I tend to just be firm and forthright. If I start to boil too much, that’s the time I take a drive turning up the stereo as loud as possible so I can’t possibly hear a phone ring.

I still have much to ponder about the verse which talks about us being living stones. My rough rock has too many moments when I just want to roll right over some people! Yeah, I’m still a work in progress.

1 Pet 2:5   you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

Meaning, Purpose And Intentionality

Guest writer Tina Orduno

Many of us know the logical reason we do the things we do. But we don’t know the purpose behind what we are logically doing day after day.

We’ve established our plans, goals, and action steps that fit into our strategies. But we haven’t taken time to figure out why what we do really matters.

Do you know deep in your heart that what you do, and who you are, really matters?  To who?  For what?  And really-why?

There is a draw in this deafening economic silence to search for what really matters. I love this, of course, because this is where next-level living begins. What matters most to you?

Relationships are the key. What you do for others is the only thing that truly matters in the end. As I mentioned, because things have slowed and gotten simpler, there is a space in our lives that opens up. Suddenly you can’t medicate the relationship pain/gap with money, busy living, and success. This leaves an obvious space. Look at your own life, now that you have more time to think and feel. The holes you try desperately to keep hidden are probably exposed right now.

So now is the time to exercise your choice. You can feel the emptiness, address the source, and discover your purpose. Or you can find a new way to numb yourself with more self-medicating than ever before. Medicating the gap is a protection we all use to some degree. If only we can come clean and admit it, we can be free to live our purpose.

Where are you getting your purpose, your joy, and your fulfillment? What is the name of the well you are drinking from right now? Every day you drop your bucket into this well-and up comes what? Remember, what you are drinking, you are becoming. And until you examine what is that well, you have no idea what you are depending on to bring you life. Is your well toxic? Is it intoxicating? Is it refreshing? Is it stagnant? Is it full of you? What is in your well?

After you to consider what well you are drinking out of, then either drink deeply-if it is the life-giving sustenance you are living for. If not, then let’s dig a new well! Let’s dig deep for what matters. NOW IS THE TIME. You have time. Everyone can make time right now to do the things that will pay off for the long run. Now is the time to invest in your personal growth so when the next boom hits you are strong, healthy, and confident that indeed you are living your life’s purpose.

“What mankind wants is not talent; it is purpose.” – Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 1803-1873, British Novelist, Poet

I Will Behold Your Beauty

Alone in the early morning hours, I seek my Lover

I long to hear His voice whisper into my ear

To see myself in His eyes of fire

I thirst for His living waters

I hunger for His bread


Come my Holy One and intertwine my heart with Yours

Your name I sing out

Wanting to be heard in Your courts

I am restless in the waiting place

My lamp is lit with Your fresh oil


I command my soul be still

I lay my face against the cool floor

Resting in Your peace

Moving in Your grace

I will behold Your beauty

Rainy Days And Mondays

The Carpenters sung about “rainy days and Mondays always get me down”. I can remember more than a few Monday’s had me agree with this sentiment. This Monday morning was certainly cold and wet but still it was a gift to wake up to have another day to explore. A friend reminded me today of how precious time is. I have always felt that way too but something about the words shared burrowed deep into my heart.

As I look out the window at the rain drops falling I wonder what kind of memories are being made for others this day?