Zoe: Life lessons 7

Zoe is at the stage, just before walking on her own, where she loves to pull herself up onto things and shuffle along. She likes reaching and walking with us.

These new abilities are empowering and exciting for her, and us! But I've noticed, she's never quite as happy or calm as when we get right down next to her, to her level.

I can definitely be this way with God; excited as my spiritual maturity increases, when I'm trying a discipline out and it seems to be really gelling...But like Zoe, there are always stepping stones, and people to help me stand and live in certain ways.

And now matter how much I reach, God is the one who comes down to my level. He calms me. He is present with me...And as I was crouching down with Zoe the other day, got a sense of awe and fear in the holiness and love of what God did for us through Jesus.

He came to crouch beside us. He looks at us eye to eye, not from above. And his presence is here with us! Right now, flooding the room.

Early Easter

I woke up early this morning with Zoe and went downstairs to see a glorious sun slanting through the trees and into our kitchen, sending thousands of prisms of light on the snow in the front yard. Amazing. Thank you, God!

As I walked this morning I was feeling refreshed, loved and thankful for many many things, but mostly for freedom.It almost feels like Easter for me already, this flooding and overflowing thankfulness, and the life and resurrection spirit changing my heart and life. I am a bystander to the work God is doing in me. I do feel like a new creation, and transformation is probably my most favourite thing of all, so this is miraculously terrific! Gods ways are so mysterious, yet simple and life-giving. They deepen the breath and give such peace.

" It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life...Use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how love grows...What happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick to things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely...Since this is the life was have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives..." (excerpt from The MESSAGE Galations 5)

God's name certainly is Faithful. And Good. And pure unceasing Love.

So blessed to have His love on me.

Just some thoughts...And lots of snow

Happy First Day of Spring! (picture is of our view from the kitchen window!)

The snow here hasn't stopped, but keeps sprinkling down and piling up...

I've been reading about the Israelites in the wilderness grumbling...And I want to be a person filled with thankfulness. I so desire the wet spring and sprigs of green and the smell of new grass, but God is still giving us snow.

I have lots on my heart today, about love and discipleship, about gratefulness, freedom, resurrection and life, and guarding my heart and asking for more...But maybe some other day I'll write about it. I woke up this morning from a dream about people I love who've died and I'm all swirled up in the mystery and heaviness of loss and dreams and heaven and God.

Today the snow slides off the roof and builds up under our kitchen window. The trees across the street are drooping under the weight of their snow coats. And God is present and God watches over all my comings and goings. We'll see spring! Just not yet.

Outside

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” - Anne Frank

" Just out of a hospital, on furlough from World War 2, I took a rowboat out on a glacial lake in Switzerland. I rowed far from shore, took in the oars, laid myself down under the seat and just drifted for hours. The only sight I saw was the blue, almost cloudless sky. The only sounds I heard were the gentle slappings of water against the hull and the tinklings of cowbells from the mountainsides that cradled the lake. God was giving me a tiny hint of what peace in Heaven is like.

Today, when life's pace gets too frantic, I draw upon the memory of that time and that place. I use it to calm myself- to bless and heal.

You have memories like this too. Stop now. This instant. Choose one that still moves you. Relive it intensely. See, hear, smell, taste, touch...Remember!"

- Manuel Almada