Be You Very Well

If you have 90 seconds you can spare then you should really watch this video. It’s spot-on because it nails what I think many of us Christians struggle to do–viz., choose to pass from death to life through a daily renewal of our faith as an Easter people. Enjoy and have a blessed Good Friday, a thoughtful Holy Saturday, and most especially a meaningful Easter by choosing to “pass over to renewal and freedom and grace and mercy and love and virtue and goodness.”

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2012/04/pass-over-to-renewal-a-holy-week-message.html

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.”

E. E. Cummings

Because we all need reminding that nobody is perfect, and our flaws can bring unexpected beauty into this world.

http://blog.neatandsimple.com/2009/08/embracing-imperfection-the-value-of-the-cracked-pot-.html#

Hat tip to My Guy…

Tell it Slant

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant—
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightening to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

– Emily Dickinson

http://beck.j38.net/2008/05/06/tell-it-slant/

Lucy Jarrett, precious (almost) three year old daughter of dear friends, went home to be with Jesus early this morning. This beloved daughter of the King can be seen in one of her joyful moments here:

http://prayforlucy.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/peace/

For the rest of us, struggling to cope through the pain, I’m reminded of James Ward’s poignant lyrics, which have been drifting in and out of my head all day.

Sleep little girl over the waves
You’ve made the journey from cradle to grave
Rocked by the tide to the other side
Where Jesus stands smiling over the Promised Land

Sleep, little one – ready at last
Jesus your captain will hold you fast
He’s been the one we’ve been assisting on your way
Till you wake to endless day
Now as you enter your rest
We will remember the best days while you
Sleep little girl over the waves
Jesus has promised the life he gave
We’ll join you there. It’s better where our hopes increase
Sleep, little girl, in peace.

Amen.

Looking forward to joining you, Lu. Until then, rest in peace.

But wait…I didn’t write this! But I easily could have, especially the first sentence. So please hop on over to this poignant post from a mom whose story–although differing in the details–resonates strongly with mine as one of those “learning to Let it Go” lessons. I particularly loved her sharing some of the lessons she’s learned along the way. For each of us our ongoing spiritual education challenge is whether we will choose to keep holding on tightly or will take our leap of faith and give up the illusion of control. If the latter, then we’ll do what we have to do in each of our unique circumstances, ultimately putting our money where our mouth is and walk the talk, baby! Maybe nothing will change externally. But then again, maybe it will.

http://www.thehomeschoolvillage.com/2012/01/when-a-homeschool-mom-sends-a-child-to-public-school.html

BTW, my Teen Guy started school today. There. I said it. And I’m sure he’s doing just fine. And, oddly enough, so am I.

Prayer for this House

May nothing evil cross this door,

And may ill fortune never pry

About these windows; may the roar

                And rain go by.

Strengthened by faith, these rafter will

Withstand the batt’ring of the storm;

This hearth, though all the world grow chill,

                 Will keep us warm.

Peace shall walk softly through these rooms,

Touching our lips with holy wine,

Till ev’ry casual corner blooms

                Into a shrine.

Laughter shall drown the raucous shout;

And, though these shelt’ring walls are thin,

May they be strong to keep hate out

                And hold love in.

–Louis Untermeyer

“You cook with your head. Understand? Your head is full of noise. You must learn to cook from the quieter place deep inside you.”

“But how?”

“Each bowl of ramen that you prepare is a gift to your customer. The food that you serve your customer becomes a part of them. It contains your spirit. That’s why your ramen must be an expression of pure love. A gift…from your heart. Do you understand?”

“I don’t know anything about love. Every time I feel it, it’s gone. It disappears. And all I have left is pain and sadness.”

“Begin by putting your tears into your broth.”

These lines are from The Ramen Girl, a lovely story of determined perseverance leading to self-discovery in the most unlikely of places, a humble Tokyo ramen shop run by an embittered, talented but tyrannical ramen chef. The lesson in living I took from this quirky but oddly soothing movie is that for some things in life perfect technique is not enough: we must come to terms with ourselves and all that is in our lives before we can create our best work.

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

–St Thomas Aquinas

Happy feast day, Hon!

The steps of a man are from the Lord, and He establishes him in whose way He delights; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand.

Ps 37:23-24 RSV

As I’m treated for ongoing health issues I periodically meet with members of my team (doctor, therapist, priest, and of course my dear husband!) to tweak my comprehensive treatment plan. After almost nine months of trying a combination of protocols that has definitely brought improvement–but not nearly as much as we thought was realistic–I’ve been pondering my options. In order to do my part to best live out my vocation as a wife and mother within my limitations I have–no doubt like many if not most of you!–challenging decisions to make. This morning I read these words and wanted to share them with you, dear reader. No matter what others may say we know that He who loves us more than we can ever comprehend has our best interests not only at heart but well in hand. All we have to do is discern His will and then put one front in front of the other, trusting that He will stay our hand and direct our steps.

And don’t forget the words of a wise man who walks the talk:

God is always good, and we are in His hands.