(Source: rosecolouredlipstick)
swinging pendulum
Somtimes there is no need for an explanation. A picture, a gesture, a few lines of a verse, say it all. Left is a sense of wonder, awe, a sense of peace.
The lines in my previous post do that to me now. I came across this verse early this morning, and remembered it from a time a couple of years ago, when someone pointed it out to me, as they felt that it applied to me at that time. I was very ecouraged back then, as I was going through some major things…
Again, I find that what I’m going through now has me swinging like a pendulum between sheer terror and blissful peace. So maybe terror is a big word, but the knot in my stomach is becoming an unwelcome and familiar feature in my day to day life at the moment. I’ve got to work at swinging that pendulum the other way, carefull not to bounce back straight away to where I came from. As my mom said a couple of weeks ago: “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” Hebrews 12:12. I don’t have to live in that place. I can chose to dust myself off and get going in the other direction.
And there is no reason not to. The verse from Isaiah 43 is so beautiful. Poetic and amazingly to the point. Even if I did walk through the fire, God would not let me burn up. When passing through the rivers, they will not sweep over me. I am safe. The going may be rough, but traversing this terrain is surely the only way forward, a stunning view awaiting me just in the vaguely outlined distance.
Someone remarked this afternoon that these experiences become tougher as we get older, so as to stretch us that little bit further each time. Always teaching us more, growing us stronger, if only we can hold out without buckling under. I never thought of it that way, but I think it’s probably very true! How else will we grow preseverance, the very essence of maturity and completeness (James 1:4)?
So it’s all good. And I’m at peace. Holding on for dear life to Isaiah 43:2 and loving it. I’m going to have to stop that pendulum from swinging out of this place!
one liners
Last week I was asked whether I had ever considered doing stand-up comedy. Apparently I produce the odd amusing one liner every now and again.
I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever considered any career moves in this direction. Frankly, the phrase ‘stand-up comedy’ makes me want to sit on a chair and have a rest! So. Most probably a ‘no go’ I’m thinking.
Besides, I’m a bit of a scatter brain at times, and have trouble remembering verbatim quotes, the lead up to punch lines, and the like. I did hear a particularly good one recently though, that I’ll share with you as it stands out quite clearly in my mind at the moment.
On Saturday morning I joined my Catholic friend, Alice, for Adoration and Mass at her church, which was a great and new experience for me. The half hour of Adoration especially touched me. Not that I felt anything in particular, like God’s presence, which I was half expecting, but in the silence of the church, only the sound of cars rushing by on the ring road outside to distract me, I kept hearing “be still, and know that I am God”. It even came to me in the first line of a song that seemed to be looped in my head. Over, and over, and over, and over again.
So. Perhaps it’s not the most amusing one liner ever, if speaking in terms of laughter provoking material. But it instilled in me a sense of much needed peace that I carry with me even now. I’d say it’s probably as profound as they come.
