In All Your Ways by Susan L.

Walking along the beach early, trying to beat everyone else in finding the good ones. My head was down, scanning the beach like a hawk on the hunt for a mouse when a woman stopped and spoke to me. It was more than the cheery "Good morning!" most shellers say to each other as they amble past. "Did you see the dolphins?" she asked with a big smile on her face, "They're right out there!" I thanked her and quickly looked offshore. Sure enough there was a large group feeding less than twenty feet off the beach. Mothers and a few smaller dorsal fins belonging to their young. One of the adults even rushed the beach chasing its breakfast as I watched, enthralled with the brief glimpses of dolphin life. They were a delight to see. This is my story. Many days it's been hard to look up or see ahead. The Lord often places people along my path who encourage me to raise my eyes and see the beauty which lay all around. "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see." Lk 10:23

Shells! by Susan L.

There is an abundance of sea shells which litter the beach. So many that you ve got to watch where you put your Canadian tender tootsies. I have a fascination with the tiny ones, perfect replicas of the big ones that usually are only found in the numerous shell shops dotting the island. Unless you are really lucky or first on the beach at the crack of dawn. I did find one fairly large cone shaped shell. Previous shellers had passed it by. It was attached to a clump of seaweed, or rather, the seaweed was attached to it. I made sure the creature inside was gone bedcause it is illegal to harvest live shells. The shine was dulled by a coating of green and it was host not only to seaweed but a variety of other members of the mollusk family. Also deceased. Clams and miniature tube worms which wrapped themselves in twisting spirals around the gentle curves of its host give the shell quite a character. There are a couple of pink barnacles which perch like misshappen warts near the tip. It gives me a great appreciation for age, warts, bumps and all. This shell symbolizes the role age can play in a community. Although, I think a community founded on the Rock might last a little longer. Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same. Ps 102:26

A Voice in the Wilderness by Susan L.

It was a long day yesterday but we arrived safely at our destination. We flew out at eight a.m. so it meant an early start. Somewhat foggy, we wound our way through the labyrynth of check points and more check points. Travellers now have to put their own bags on the conveyor leading to the bowels of the plane. (Its been that long since I've travelled.) Thankfully the airline had stationed a middle aged man to help those who needed help with their bags. It was only six thirty in the morning and he was singing his heart out with a big smile on his face. It was his own song, a song of instruction, "Put your bags here, and then you go over there. Oh, my love, that's a heavy one today! Keep it moving folks, there's more behind..." What a gift he gave to everyone who passed by. The joy, the life, the laughter. He made something special by rejoicing in his work. A job which to some would be monotonous and mundane. Myself included. He probably wasn't paid very much either. I would like to bless the customs agents with some of that joy. It would be nice to see them smile, too. "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Sorry, I forgot to write chapter and verse...my concordance is at home.)

Reeling Them In by Susan L.

After finishing yesterday's blog I sat for a moment. The image of a fly fisherman methodically casting his line over a river came to mind. Casting our cares. Do we reel them in fighting and thrashing? Yes. Sometimes we do. I know when my children are worried I care about what's happening. Sometimes I worry about their worries. The same with friends. Empathize. The challenge: how to empathize but not personalize. Fishing without bait. And then I thought about the scripture, "casting all our care upon Him." Does this mean telling the Lord how much He means to us? How amazing, wonderful, awesome. Loving with all our heart and with all our mind? That's a different kind of care isn't it? The subtleties of language. The paradox. The double meaning. It's something to chew on for a while. CARE. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things." Mat 6:34

Casting Cares by Susan L.

My elderly Uncle called this morning. He's not feeling too well and having some difficulty with a rapid heart beat. He's going to the doctor's later today. I pray it can be easily fixed. Elderly parents and family, children, grandchildren, friends going through times of trial, new church, new people, finances, weather, travel, leaving my sanctuary, job, car, the invisible to-do list, diet, sump pump... You have proven time and again, Lord, that You are sufficient in all things. Big and incredibly small. All of it. Every moment of every day. You are my Light, my Light, my Hope. For someone who thought she didn't worry...forgive me Lord, the proof is in the pudding. I worry. A lot. The subconscious, submarine worry that plagues the back of my mind. I bring it to the surface so Your light can shine on these concerns large and small Your will be done. In Jesus' name, amen. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exhalt you in due time casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1Pet 5:6..

What's Up by Susan L.

Just want to let my readers know that I have been blessed with a vacation starting Saturday. My hope is to continue blogging while I am away. Give or take a couple of days. The sea shells beckon. As I'm packing, there's more things to entertain me than actual clothes! Camera, iPod, drawing stuff, journal (of course!), and fabric to make my granddaughter her birthday gift. She turns one in February. Because my son and his family have travelled and moved so much I made a quilted growth chart for my grandson's first birthday. That's what I am making for his sister. It's a lot easier than carting a piece of door frame every where. Children love to look back at how big they were when... It's amazing how much life is contained in the flick of a pencil. "When I was a child..." 1Cor 13:11

Dark Armor by Susan L.

A lifetime ago at a quiet meditation group, the Lord showed me that I was wearing my own set of armor. It was a dull, throbbing ebony and covered me from head to toe. It was a suit forged in the fires of abuse, betrayal and hurt. Some people build walls and fortresses. My armor served the same purpose. It distanced me from vulnerability. The Lord asked me to take it off. By this time I was a seasoned prayer warrior and knew God's armor was sufficient. I hesitated for a brief moment but eager to obey, took it off. It vanished into the ground the moment the pieces were stripped away. I know this was a spiritual/ mental experience but I felt lighter and terribly naked before the Lord. The woman who hosted the group quietly covered me with a blanket, obedient to God's command to cover me. Something amazing had taken place that night. The imaginary-real event revealed my soul to the world. A soul I would come to know through the Lord's work in my life. He knew I would need people but the armor was in the way. It smothered my ability to ask for help or even receive help from anyone or anything. My life was on a collision course with tomorrow. It was going to get harder and uglier than anything I had ever experienced. "Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light." Rom 13:12