Right Sizing

There's something about the expanse of sky and water together
that reminds of how perfectly sized I am.

Enormous enough to be the object of all my God can offer.

Small enough to be entirely not in control.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!
If I were to count them,
they would outnumber the grain of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Psalm 139:17-18

Out of My Own Backyard

Driving up the coastline toward Ft. Meyers for a short ride this morning, I couldn't help but think something.

Beautiful beach front homes lined the way; tall, elegant, extremely modern, with stunning views of the gulf. I roll down the window and shamelessly point my camera at the homes of strangers. I am so curious about whoever would live in such a place. What's it like to live like that? How do these people make their living? Who loves them? And I wonder who's around to make sure they know, that no matter who they are on the social scale, God is crazy about them, and has a meaningful, difference-making life in mind for them.

And I remembered visiting the Lahu village, north of Chiang Mai, and shamelessly pointing my camera at the home of a stranger. Simple, tidy, extremely ancient, with a spectacular view of the hills. I am so curious about whoever would live in such a place. What's it like to live like that? Who loves them? How do these people make their living? And I wonder who's around to make sure they know, that no matter who they are on the social scale, God is crazy about them, and has a meaningful difference-making life in mind for them.

And I'm thinking all of a sudden about all the houses going up along Ira Needles Boulevard, back home; the houses I pray for every day as I drive to the church; the ones with no particular view really. I am wondering who will live there, how will they make their living, who loves them? But I don't have to wonder who's around to make sure they know, that no matter who they are on any social scale, God is crazy about them and has a meaningful difference-making life in mind for them.

Because as far away as God sometimes takes me.....this is my own backyard.

The Unexpected Pause

Since it's so hard to get me to sit down, it's notable that I've been sitting for most of the afternoon. Stretched out on a lounger, screened in porch, ceiling fans on slow, a drink with ice chinking in it - that kind of sitting.

Ken and I are the grateful guests of a generous couple at Highview who have provided their Florida condo to us this week as a gift. We're looking over a few acres of wet lands, all the comforts of home (actually more :), and yet feeling more like we're away from it all, just that closer to creation, everglades style. Started the day doing laps in an amazing pool, ate too much for brunch, picked up a few groceries, napped, and came out here to the porch. And that about sums up the day.

As I breathe in the resting of it, I realize how open my soul is to the idea. Surprisingly. The beginning of May is not a normal time for me to take a break, with summer down time so close. And this year I've just been away, in March, not for a holiday, but a definite change/break from the normal demands of my life, for sure. This little holiday was not necessarily in the original plans for this season, but instead was kindly offered to me. Often I would resist, make excuses about why I just couldn't leave all my responsibilities. But I didn't. So to get here and be so ready to do this, not to be worrying about stuff at home, to just be enjoying the quiet presence of my husband, all day....it's ..... nice. A gift.

It's been my experience that when God provides these unexpected pauses, He does so for a reason. I'm paying attention.

Oh, and Ken has just brought me a cup of Skittles. Wonderful!

Tomorrow the beach. Wednesday a ball game. Who knows about the rest of the week? Doesn't really matter. I'm just....pausing.