Whirlwind trip to big city

Friday, I took a personal day from work - one I seldom take as most of the days I take are taking Mom to doctor or one of us being sick. But I drove to Atlanta early Friday and got to meet my dear son's girlfriend's parents. Delightful to meet and hope it is one of many times we have an opportunity to spend time together. The evening time gave us an opportunity to meet up with my friend Beth and her sister in law and we ate at a local restaurant. What an enjoyable Friday!

Early Saturday, we drove to the cathedral to hear Barbara Brown Taylor speak on the Sabbath. Lots to chew on in terms of our culture and what we have done or not done in terms of observing that sacred time. Needless to say, a bookstore was right there in the cathedral and I succumbed to temptation in a good way. Was modest in my purchases, knowing full well there will be a next time. I will share one of the books I purchased later in another post as I get a grab on what it means to me and how it will impact me spiritually.

On the way home, I could have done without a car accident, but happened it did and fenders took the brunt of the damage. Safe, I am home - not quite sure how I made it home as I was exhausted from the tension of the accident. But made it home I did.

Time to Rest and Stop

Stop for one whole day every week, and you will remember what it means to be created in the image of God, who rested on the seventh day not from weariness but from complete freedom. The clear promise is that those who rest like God find themselves free like God, no longer slaves to the thousand compulsions that send others rushing toward their graves. - Barbara Brown Taylor, from her book Leaving Church

Late Thursday morning, a friend and I took off for an overnighter down at the coast. It always seems a bit hectic just before going, as I seem to toss a few things into the bag and be on my way, and having to make sure some of the other tasks that have to continue still have to be set up for Mom.

For the next 24 hours, my obligations to the real world had stopped. We got into the car and headed out. It had been a while since I had visited this section of the beach, as the stomping grounds where I like to go is about an hour or so east of where we were heading. It had been long enough that even though I THOUGHT I didn't  need directions, I did have to call my son twice to jog the memory a bit.

We got there a bit early so had to wait for our room. The weather had been glorious until the day we got there and it was apparent that rain was imminent. And rain it did. Lots of rain. Wind. And the what was the warmth of spring that makes us ever hopeful for summer left the scene just enough for there to be a slight chill in the air. There would be no sitting out to soak up a little warmth and sunshine.

It's nice to go with a friend where there is the comfort of knowing that we can talk and laugh, and on the flip side, we can go an hour and remain silent and totally be at ease. And that is how our trip was, easy going, restful, and free.

Sleep did not elude either of us as sometimes being in a different bed. To sleep late is a luxury and that, too, was granted. No alarm clock or obligation in which to answer.

As we left, we headed east to a more familiar location where the sleepy fishing village has found its niche in attracting shoppers to funky shops and some great seafood cuisine. We made our contributions to improve the economy at the local shops as we found a few items to take home with us.  I actually found a lamp for the bedroom which has a built in night light in addition to it being a regular lamp. How cool is that??? It is now in one of our bedrooms.

We drove home going the way of the millions of pine trees, giggling at the names of the "towns" that had one or two houses, wondering where the names originated and why. "Clio", "Central City", "Wilma" - why were they named when there appeared to be no one there?

It was a nice restful 24ish hours to get away. It is reviving and something I should "work on" doing more often, especially when I get the feeling of being on the hamster wheel for too long.

Doodlebug #2 - Olivia

Almost two weeks ago, a precious little girl at our school experienced a freak accident which resulted in major surgery, including a colostomy, to allow for healing to take place. This is a family with five children, the oldest being in 3rd grade. Little Olivia's accident resulted in a perforated bowel, and was taken to a children's hospital three hours away to receive top notch care. As many accidents, it turned their life upside down. The community has surrounded them with support, providing meals, keeping the other children, providing financial support, and praying for Olivia and the family. 


Olivia is going to be fine.  It may be tough what she is going through, learning to adjust to her new way her body is working right now. I am sure that the responsibilities of the parents are overwhelming, trying to juggle all that is going on in their life. The family is a shining star in how they are handling this - how they allow God to surround them in the toughest of times. Their faith has been their backbone. But it doesn't mean they wonder why, or get scared, or wonder what will happen next.


I was reading one of the blogs I have found that has been a source of wonderful quotes and words of wisdom. Today's post made me think of what has happened to Olivia and how her family has handled this situation. This quote from Barbara Brown Taylor made me think of them and the challenges which they are experiencing now.

"Terrible things happen, and you are not always to blame.

But don’t let that stop you from doing what you are doing.

That torn place your fear has opened up inside of you is a holy place.

Look around while you are there. Pay attention to what you feel.

It may hurt you to stay there and it may hurt you to see,

but it is not the kind of hurt that leads to death.

It is the kind that leads to life."

Barbara Brown Taylor, from "Life-Giving Fear, Christian Century 1998.

and so we pray:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves:

Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls,

that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body,

and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Book of Common Prayer, Collect for 3rd Sunday in Lent

Olivia, Aimee, Joel, and the rest of the "doodlebugs",  my prayers, among many others praying for you, surround you with healing love.

Special thanks goes to Roberta for providing the resource of the quote at her blog.