I have begun adding a little running into my routine. (It’s ever so little – two blocks walking/one block running for 20 minutes, three times per week – but it feels good to me.) And I’ve begun to lift a little, too. All the experts say I won’t lose any additional weight without adding in some resistance, so I’ll let you know how it goes.
I had opportunity to take in a new county park this week: Olive Shores Park in West Olive, MI. Its layout is similar to Rosy Mound, but with alternate dune pathways to the stunning view of the beach. Do you remember the Tom Hanks’ movie, Road to Perdition? This part of the beach was the backdrop for the final scenes, at the beach house. The pines are thick here, and their scent is clean and pervasive.
I also got a chance to do a little much-needed gardening on the weekend. Every single time, before I begin, I fret about how hot and sweaty and thirsty and bug-eaten I’m going to get. But within moments – my hands kneading the dirt and yanking out the unwelcome weeds and spreading the mulch – I’m in all my glory. I feel my back and my sides stretch and contract in ways only gardening offers. I know I’ll hurt tomorrow.
But today it doesn’t matter.
Today it’s my therapy, the balm that cools and soothes my tattered psyche.
With every bead of sweat that bumbles along my brow line before running down my cheek, I sigh in satisfaction, not only in the beauty I’m creating but in the smells and sounds and satisfaction such simple work affords.
One of the great things about living in my neighborhood is the hourly toll of bells from a church just down the street. During the day, they ring on the hour and then finish with a hymn or two. When the noon bells rang on my gardening day, they followed with a medley of All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name…you know the two versions, right? 
Very cool to be out in your yard, toiling away, and be reminded of that great Name while the notes roll toward you on the breeze. They’re so unpretentious and unassuming that you only hear the bells if you’re in your yard. Anytime I am privileged to hear them, I think, If I hadn’t been here, at this time, I would’ve missed it. If I had turned the radio on or been yelling at the dog or been running the car, I would’ve missed it.
He never forces himself upon us. He is unpretentious, unassuming. But his presence never wavers, and if we’re “there” – in a position to hear – we will be rewarded with the sound of His clear voice rolling toward us on the breeze.
It says, “I love you. I will always love you. I have a plan for you if you will trust Me, if you will follow Me. I won’t promise ease. But I will promise My presence.” And that’s worth everything.
Enjoy your day. Enjoy this blog.
4 comments:
This may sound odd, but I would like to know if you pray before drafting these blogs. After your answer has been posted, I will give you my reasons for asking this question. Wonderfully written blog by the way..............as usual.
Thanks for your excellent question, and thanks also for taking time to read the blog. Your question is simple. I should be able to give you a simple answer, but no matter how I slice it, it's not. It'll be honest, though.
My prayer and devotional life is such that it is very fluid. I'll grab a scripture reading on Bible Gateway here, I'll reflect on a song there. I'll be moved to tears in nature, and I'll praise right then. I think of the Lord the moment I get up in the morning and, when I'm really on it, I'll give the day to Him and ask that His name be glorified in everything I do and speak. But I'm not always on.
I seem to take the same approach with my writing. Though the post takes just moments to read, I'll think about it and pray over it all week long. I can't say that I write it in one sitting either. So, yes, the posts are prayed over but no, I typically do not pray as I set my hands to the keys if that makes sense.
Thanks again, and I look forward to your reasons for asking.
I was curious as to what part the Holy Spirit played in your topics, your lessons, and your style. From what I can see, you have been given a tremendous gift by the Lord. The subject of your blog is always interesting and yet very common to the plight of the Christian. The lessons that are communicated are without a doubt very useful in maintaining a successful walk with the Lord. And, your word selection is very direct but at the same time quite elegant and beautiful. The hours you must spend in prayer are evident and unmistakably obvious. Words pulled down from heaven do not come easy I suspect. You are a fine writer Annamarie.
Thank you so much. It is both gratifying and humbling to read that the Lord is using these weekly posts to minister to those He calls His children. Enjoy your day and, please, continue to enjoy this blog.
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