Journal – SereneLiving

Metaphors of the Labyrinth

This morning as I was reading a book about prayer, I was reminded that our conversations with God are just that, a conversation. Today I had the opportunity to participate in a labyrinth. This is a silent, meditative walk following a path that is somewhat circular. We were encouraged to make this contemplative walk a conversation with God. The facilitator gave us some instructions at the outset, things like: take your time, keep at least one foot in the path, you can’t get lost, and it’s not like a maze designed to confuse you. As I took this path, it was likened to a journey, either the journey of life, or a journey to the Holy Land undertaken by Jewish, and later Christian, pilgrims, perhaps to celebrate a feast or holiday or special season. It’s the week before Easter here in Pennsylvania; our labyrinth was a simple one laid out with ropes. The path winds back and forth but ultimately arrives at a center. In the center you pause before turning around to retrace your steps. As I walked and contemplated, so many metaphors became apparent and I couldn’t wait to get to a place where I could jot them down.

Here’a a picture of a Labyrinth in Chartres, France to give you a sense of the experience.

The path was at times wide, at times narrow
Sometimes the path seemed squiggly
Just as I began to wonder if I might be lost, I came to the center
There were others ahead of me and behind me on the path
Some travelers greeted me warmly, all were courteous
Some people followed the ‘rule’ of keeping one foot on the path, others did not!
There was never any doubt as to which way to go
The path is clear, clearly marked
It was a matter of taking the next step, of putting one foot in front of the other
Arriving at the center felt like arriving
But then I thought perhaps the second part is shorter, but no, it is the same distance
One travels on, listening for the voice of guidance
The path is circular (not linear)
Different parts of the path look and feel different
The path may seem familiar – as if I’ve been here before
The path may zig and zag and even appear to contain u-turns, but there are no detours, just an ever forward movement, taking you toward or away from the center, the heart

At the outset, we were given a palm frond and encouraged to place it in a vase at the center of the labyrinth giving thanks to God for His place in our life and then to take a piece of candy from a bowl as a reminder of God’s love, His sweetness. As I walked, I asked God to be near me and to help me to be aware of His presence; he immediately showed me that He had been speaking these metaphors to me throughout my journey through the labyrinth. At the moment that I wondered about the truth of not being able to get lost, I perceived that I had nearly reached the center. One dear friend whom I encountered gave me a warm smile and a reassuring touch as we passed. Most were absorbed in their own journeys. The biggest message of the labyrinth is to slow down, to enjoy the journey, to consider the journey, and to relax and not worry about the destination.

I know that it is very likely that none of these are original thoughts. Tens of thousands have experienced labyrinths before me, but the point is, they are original thoughts to me. They are my experience. And I think I have done a labyrinth before, but for whatever reason, this time my soul was ready to experience more. I encourage you to consider trying a labyrinth too. Tell me about it in the comments.

You can learn more about labyrinths online and see some cool Labyrinths around the world.

Healing

My daughter gave me this lovely bracelet for Christmas. In addition to being good looking and fashionable, it expresses a great sentiment: “Healing comes in waves.”

Such a beautiful metaphor for one who loves the ocean. Can’t you just picture the relentlessness of the waves? Some days the waves are soft and gentle, sometimes they are almost imperceptible, other days, they are crashing onto shore with ferocity. Healing is the same, it is gradual, sometimes fast, and sometimes slow. This bracelet helps me to remember to accept the healing as it comes. I can’t control the pace, but I can choose to allow it to wash over me (or crash over me). Sometimes it will knock me down, but I will rise again. Listen to the waves.

This journey of life is gradual. Our healing comes in spurts and fit, not all at once. Like waves upon the shore, healing is continual. Healing keeps coming. As I wear this bracelet, I am reminded that I am not yet finished. I will not stay standing still at this same spot. I will grow and I will heal. I will be better than I am now. And this brings me peace and serenity.

Personal Trials

I have a friend who I hold in high esteem although we have not had the privilege of meeting in person yet. We became phone and then online friends a few years ago when we were both in the midst of transitions and associated with the same ministry. Now I keep up with her on social media and through her excellent blog, Everyday Derring Do.

Allie said this recently on her blogpost: “It has been a shadowy season. So many mornings the sun felt obscured and the earth surreal. I wished for an unbroken heart. And I worked for healing when breathing seemed too much to ask.” This quote really resonated with me as we went through the ordeal of the last few months. When trials seem to much to bear, when daily life is a struggle just to focus and keep putting one foot in front of the other, we must hang on to the One who offers hope and healing. Even in the midst of pain and heartache, He will meet you.

I often find it easier to process my thoughts by writing. Love your writing, Allie! Keep it up – you have a beautiful way with words. Like you, I find I can express myself better with pen and paper or virtual pen and paper. Like you, I’m seeking God in the shadowy season. I’m finding Him nearby even in the midst of one of the most difficult seasons of my life.

Best Year Ever? Worst Year Ever?

2017 started out like many years – with me desiring to make the most of my time and energy. So I signed up for Michael Hyatt‘s course Best Year Ever. I began the year with great goals and high productivity. I was excited about using time blocking to manage my time and increase my results. My personal and professional lives were going along swimmingly.

On April 3rd everything came to a screeching halt. Our daughter and my parents were in a horrific car accident. Thus began a four month ordeal that I will share more about in a future post. I spent weeks at a time in Florida with my family.

In my shower there hangs an Aqua Notes waterproof pad for jotting down great ideas that often come to me first thing in the morning. At the beginning of the year, I wrote on the top sheet “2017 BEST YEAR EVER.” Every time I came home from Florida, that paper would be staring me in the face each morning. I began to wonder if this was the Worst Year Ever.

Although I was tempted to cross out the word “Best” several times with a big X, I did not. I came to see that even in the midst of the worst ordeal of my life, there were still things to be thankful for. I tried to add to my 1000Gifts thankfulness journal. I held on to my faith and searched for moments of serenity amid the stress and exhaustion. I prayed like never before. I sought God and tried to continue to praise Him despite my circumstances.

Gordon Moments

I attended Homecoming at my alma mater last weekend. It was wonderful to be back on campus and see how much the college has grown. There was a vibrancy on campus – an excitement for all that God is doing in and through the college. There are many new buildings since I was there and the facilities are quite impressive. The college has kept up with education trends and the needs of the student population. At the same time, they have kept the natural beauty of the campus intact and there are beautiful places to walk both on the perimeter of the campus and in the heart of it. The sense of place and of mission is very strong on this college campus. Even the older buildings are filled with the energy of staff who are enthused about the direction and goals of the college.

We walked through the woods to the large pond and I remembered walking and cross-country skiing on these paths as well as canoeing and swimming in the pond. I saw a few old friends and met several new ones. The college motto is “Lives Worth Leading” and they are intentionally shaping students to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Natural Beauty on Campus

Rejuvenation

I try to make time on weekends for creative and stimulating pursuits.

Some of the activities that I enjoy are painting, with watercolors or acrylics, reading mysteries, keeping a journal, and drinking hot tea or hot cocoa.

What does rejuvenation look like for you?

Island Adventures

Had a fantastic day trip to Block Island this past weekend.

We rented mopeds and rode, then walked out to the North Lighthouse,

swam, walked around the point, and then rode round to the Southeast Light and Mohegan Bluffs. Went back into town for lunch and then another swim and some frisbee in the ocean. A sun-filled, salty, sandy day was just what we all needed. Refreshing to walk along the shore and see the ocean, which was very clear and a beautiful turquoise blue.

Serenity restored.

Dealing with Pain

Dark storm clouds gathered in the west as we went for a drive to enjoy the spring flowering trees and bushes. It’s been two weeks since my elbow surgery and I’m in considerable pain every day. The doctor warned me ahead of time that there would be pain for a few months after the surgery. But I didn’t really hear that part; I was just desperate for a resolution to the pain from the torn tendon and inflamed nerve.

So I’ve been recuperating at home for two weeks with Advil, Tylenol, ice and stronger pain meds at night to help me sleep. I usually consider myself to have a high tolerance for pain and in fact this injury has had me in pain on and off for two years (I tried cortisone shots and therapy a few times). But finally it got so bad that I could not sleep and it was pain 24 hours a day. So the doctor cleaned up the tendon – it was too damaged to reattach – and moved the nerve so that it would not constantly be aggravated. I’m typing and writing a bit finally, but not doing much – tomorrow I go back to work. I’m not feeling ready for work, but hoping it will be a distraction from the pain. I had thought that I could use this time at home to get caught up on school. But the thing about pain is that it saps your energy. I’m normally a pretty energetic person; hence the full time job/full time student thing. I get up early, study a bit, exercise, and work, come home and study some more. Well, I’m lucky if I can concentrate long enough to read a chapter or an article these days.

I’m thankful that there is a future ahead where my elbow will be fully healed and I’ll be pain-free. Meanwhile, I must just accept this stage, trying to live with serenity and grace. Conserving my energy and not fretting about all the things that are not getting done. Such are the storms of life. We weather them as best we can, always hopeful for another day, a sunny day. Early spring is like that, 8o degrees one day, 40 degrees two days later, stormy and windy one day, sunny and balmy the next.

I’m holding on to my serenity.

My One Word

I remember where I was when I got my One Word. It was early January of 2016 and I was just leaving the doctor’s office on a cold winter day, and I paused just outside the door to look at a bush. There in the midst of winter was a tiny bit of green. I was reminded to slow down and admire the beauty around me. And it came to me, Serenity is my word. It defines me. It is how I live my life. And it is partly my temperament, but it’s also intentional. Like the choice that I made to stop and admire the landscape, not just hurry on to the next thing (or back to work). It’s about choosing to see and notice the beauty around you. A life lived in a rush does not leave much room for serenity. But slowing down can be hard. Stick around, see how I cultivate Serenity. Winter Beauty

On Writing Well

Tom Lake, a writer for Sports Illustrated and an alum of my alma mater, Gordon College says, “We’re seeing this hunger among readers for long stories that really dig into something to find answers rather than just sticking to the surface—and they’re reading them on their iPhones.” I for one love to read the alumni magazines of several institutions that I support including Wheaton College, Gordon, and Seattle Pacific University because they have well-written and interesting stories. And the articles are somewhat long. But I enjoy the intellectual stimulation. Good photography and graphics and visually interesting layout are important, but alone they do not provide enough to hold my attention. These magazines provide an opportunity for institutions of Christian Higher Education to tell their story, to celebrate their impact on students and the world at large, to promote their vision.