I just spent 8 days in Seattle, WA. It never rained...it was only cloudy for a couple of hours total...We spent four glorious days on Useless Bay on Whidbey Island (thank you to Catherine and her friends)...three days wandering around downtown Seattle at the Northwest Folklife Festival (there were more people there than we have in our State!)...no rain...just beauty.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the rain of our lives that we ignore the beauty...rain itself is beautiful...but sometimes it's just rain...We've all heard some version of "stop and smell the roses" on our busy journeys of life...but they are busy...they are journeys...and travel requires some vigilance, and good weather always helps...no rain, just beauty.
At Prairie Table Ministries our tables along the way of someone's spiritual journey are a respite from the bad weather, the storms, the rain, the incessant heat that overpowers our desire, and saps our energy and strength...we try and pause for the beauty...a lyric of music, a wisp of scripture, a smile, a handshake, a listening ear...the beauty of the handiwork of God.
Many of us at PTM have been involved in congregations and church work for most of our lives...the other half...not so much...But a good conversation hears grace from one voice and promise from the other...no rain, just beauty...
If only we could we would always live in the garden...clean, fresh, open, and embracing...the garden wet with rain...promising beauty.
Your Blog Steward
- Scott Frederickson
- Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- I am more and more convinced that most congregations die from a staggering lack of imagination. Let's change that. Let's imagine a creative future with God and each other together. Drop me a line on email or leave a comment if you have thoughts on God, Jesus, congregations, the church or whatever.... I look forward to our conversations.
2 comments:
As one of your readers from the "not so much" half, who spends his life seaching for that beauty, I give you this.
I sit, not smelling roses, but instead, a wonderful rye whiskey bottled in Park city, Utah. I read the words of someone who obviously cares for those he communicates with. I am greatful that although I am not a believer, there are those such as you that will help others find the beauty that is there for everyone that will simply look.
Even the rain is needed for the renewel of all that is good. Hopefully , if you are lucky, it will be a warm rain, that you can walk in for hours remembering those you loved and will someday see again. Maybe crying not for their passing, but rather, for the things you didn't say when you had the chance. When this happens, I hope you will take a moment and tell those that you can how much they are loved and how they contribute to the beauty of your life.
I believe that with this communication we can all find the garden you seek.
Ah..well said my friend...Rye whiskey from Park City, UT...perhaps that garden is closer than I thought. Blessings.
Scott
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