Solitude…

April 18, 2015 Thoughts and Reflections on Life1 Comment

I am one who “needs” to be around others. Alone time for me has always been difficult. The first time I lived alone I was a mess. Growing up in a large family, there were always people around. For the past 28 years I’ve been in a profession where I am around 200+ people every day. Being alone has never been easy.

Going out in public alone used to terrify me. I was older than I’d like to admit when I finally went to the mall alone. I’ve only eaten in a restaurant alone a few times and it was fast food. Never would I go to a sit-down place alone. I have never been to a movie alone. That is on my bucket list!

Today I found myself home alone unexpectedly. Normally I’d lose myself in a book or movie… or maybe be productive and do some household chore. The weather today is absolutely gorgeous and I knew I had to get outside. Yard work did not appeal to me… although it would have been a good choice!

I decided to hop in my car and head to a local winery to scope out a photo shoot location for tomorrow. I headed to Arbor Crest with my camera in hand. It is very strange to be at a place and not know or talk to anyone. It was an hour of solitude and beauty. I wandered and shot and wandered and shot. I did run into my niece and her fiancé, but our visit was short and sweet. I continued on my way, relishing the quiet beauty and sunshine. There were several other people their alone with a glass of wine and a book. Hmmm… I might have to try that! That is very out of my comfort zone, but worth a try!

I’m learning that I need to be okay being alone. God has me in a season and I’m not sure what he is preparing me for, but I’m open to try new things and find another side of myself that I’ve not met yet. I felt great peace and solitude wandering in a beautiful place with my camera in my hand. Photography is becoming quite theraputic for me and I’m grateful for the opportunities I am afforded.

Here is a glimpse of what I saw from behind my camera lens…

Spring Rains…

April 27, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on LifeLeave a comment

We are teased with the spring sunshine and warmth. Then the rains come. Spring rains… it’s necessary for the earth to open up and grow and flourish. Without it life would not bloom and blossom. Life would wither and die.

I longed for the sunshine this morning as I awoke after a restless night. Those first morning rays glimmering through the newly budding maple trees are stunning and life-giving. They bring a feeling of hope to the day. I can see God’s handiwork and loving touch as I look out into my yard. Not today… it was raining.

At times, the spring rains can close in on us and feel like a dark shroud… if we let it. I determined myself this morning to see the rain as a gift. A gift to our earth. A gift to my soul.

Rains wash away the dirt and grime, providing a fresh sheen on everything. They clear out the sky so when the sun does shine, it’s extra blue an clear! It’s worth the wait. The same way it refreshes our earth, it also refreshes my soul. It’s a pause in my heart to let Jesus clear out the dirt and grime that have built up. I’m a bit more hopeful as I await the blue sky that will peak through eventually.

In the meantime, I’ll hunker down and take this pause to rest and refresh as I listen to the drops hit the metal patio cover. Hopeful for what is to come…

“God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing a wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. We fall to our knees – we call out, “Glory!” (Psalm 29:9)

Healing · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Miracles · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

Everyday Miracles…

April 20, 2014April 20, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on LifeLeave a comment

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” …

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). (John 20:1-16 NIV)

Miracle of all miracles. Mary’s son beat death. No one would have imagined it as they watched him die an agonizing death on the cross two days earlier. The tomb was empty. Lives forever changed. He conquered death for us.

Many people believe that miracles only happened in the bible. You only read about that stuff. Not today. Not now.

What miracles are happening around us each day that we don’t recognize because they are not grand and glorious like raising someone from the dead? Are we blind to them? Our minds and eyes perceive them as small, yet they are not. No miracle is small. When God does the miraculous, it’s huge.

Springtime blooming after a long, cold winter. New life budding on the tree limbs more and more each day. Opening up and ready to grow and flourish. A little girl coming home to her daddy. Turning from struggles and asking for help. Wanting to change, grow and flourish… much like that spring bloom.

Miracles. I can see God’s handprint and I’m in awe. Overwhelmed. Waiting in great anticipation for what is next.

On this Resurrection Sunday my hands are open wide and my heart is yearning for more of God’s miracles. Miracles in the ordinary things of our lives. Turning the secular into the sacred. Opening my heart and mind to see more of what is going on around me. Searching for miracles. Expecting miracles.

Hope · Seasons · The Journey · Vacation

The Awakening…

April 11, 2014April 11, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on LifeLeave a comment

Photo Courtesy of James Richman Photography.

Spend a few moments looking carefully at this beautiful photograph. What does it make you think about? How does it make you feel?

This amazing photo was taken by James Richman, a local photographer. I’ve recently connected with him on FB and now get to see his work often. This particular photo is one of many he took at a local sunflower field last August. Breathtaking…

When I look the first thing that catches my eye is the sunshine. The sun is rising… the beginning of a warm summer day. In the forefront I notice the flowers are reaching toward the sun. If you look closely at the entire field they all seem to be reaching for that sunlight. Smart flowers they are… following the sun. For they know that their nourishment comes from those rays and that warmth.

Winter if finally over and spring has awakened. This week has afforded us sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures. I’ve been inside trying to get my house in some form of order before heading back to work next week. Every hour or so I have found myself looking for an excuse to be outside. I’m like those sunflowers… reaching for that sunlight. I’m sure I looked silly standing in the middle of the yard with my face pointed towards the sky! I could feel warmth and peace wash over me.

Spring is such an amazing time of the year. After a long winter, when life has been dormant, everything is now finding its way to the surface and yearning for light and warmth. Tiny buds are brightening up tree branches. Flowers are surfacing from the depths and adding color to our dreary winter-laden world.

Who can witness the wonders of spring and all of creation yearning for sunlight and warmth, and not believe in Him who created it all? Just seeing the transformation of our maple tree in the past few days has been short of amazing.

As I’m coming out of winter, I’m feeling the sense that I am much like that maple tree. Life has been slow and winter-like. As spring awakens, so am I. This vacation I’ve been blessed with rest, accomplishments around the house, feeding my passions, and spending time with my love and friends. All of those are helping to ready me for this new season. I’m still a little leery… wanting to retreat back into my safe cocoon. But I’m drawn to the sun…

…I’m drawn to the Son. The anticipation of all that He has for me as I’m letting Him into every corner of my being. I want to be safe and He says GO! Step out! Live! For the first time in many years, I’m not dreading going back to work next week. I’m excited for the remaining weeks to be filled with learning, challenges and a close to this school year. Then that time to enjoy this amazing world that is opening up around us right now! He is opening doors for some new adventures that I’m very excited about. Stretching and growing adventures! The possibilities are endless. And those possibilities are beginning today!