Dwell on the LEDGE? That can’t be right.
I want off!
Worry has me on robo-call.
It knows my address.
What am I dwelling on? Upcoming (and unnerving) opportunities to present my book, House of 49 Doors: Entries in a Life. How do I “rest in the Lord” while also braving the little dog-and-pony show (read, generating publicity), which authors must face?
The learning curve feels like Everest! There’s a lot one can DO to promote a new title.
And I have questions: First, there’s this:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23) …
BUT ALSO, THIS …
“God said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest’ [as in, simply be] …
BUT they would not listen.
So then, the word of the LORD to them will become: ‘Do and do and do, here a little, there a little . . . ’” (Is. 28:12, 13).
Even more alarming, Isaiah’s warning continues, declaring those who refuse to rest will be “broken, ensnared, and captured by enemies.”
Do. Be. Two verbs. A dynamic duo. Like Martha and Mary of old, we alternate between them.
For me, lurching between these differing energies rekindles that foot-buzz friction point while engaging the clutch during driver’s ed.
What’s a person to do?
Homonyms to the rescue!
Did you know “dew” is also a verb? Fleeting, organic, refreshing — natural condensation (morning and evening) bejewels, or “dews,” everything in its path. Magnifying what’s real. Reflecting the light.
Sometimes, we need to dwell on the ledge. For a while. Next time I rev up to DO something, I’m going to picture tranquil, shimmering dew.
Meanwhile, I came up with this — D.W.E.L.L. — (acrostic self-talk) — to help me rest in God’s presence. With each slow inhale and exhale I silently hold in mind the following word(s) or syllable(s). Then I repeat, as needed.
Dwell on the Ledge:
Deep … breath / Deeper … still
Wait … now / Re- … fill
Em … brace / each ex- … hale
Let … go / Let … God lead
Love … is all!
Friends, what eases YOU on (or off ) the ledge?
Thank you for your prayers and thank you to those who ordered a book. Should you feel in-Kleined, a (sentence-or-two) reader review on Amazon would be of great help in getting word out about the book.
May I read you some of it? . . . See opportunities below:
Four celebratory audio opportunities
1. If you’re near Spokane: JOIN ME Sunday April 28, 2:00 – 3:00 PT in the Genesis Center at Colbert Presbyterian Church, 4211 E. Colbert Road, Colbert, WA
A little live music, a spirited reading, and a free book, in gratitude, for anyone who donates to Habitat for Humanity-Spokane.
2. If you’re far away: JOIN REMOTELY, Sunday April 28, 2:00 – 3:00 PT: click the livestream option here: https://www.colbertpres.org/ (The recording may be archived for listening later.)
3. If you’re reading the book and have questions: CHECK OUT “House of 49 Doors: KPBX author interview” (scroll to April 11 session): https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/show/thursday-arts-preview
4. If you’re on Facebook, you can sign up for a dual zoom book launch: “SICKNESS, SECRETS & COURAGE”: Saturday May 4, 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. PT. I’ll be reading along with two gifted friends: Susan Cowger, author of HAWK & SONGBIRD, and Marjorie Maddox, prolific author (20 books!), professor, editor, and mentor. Marjorie will also moderate discussion. (I’ll read different poems than those slated for April 28.) We three would love to see you there! Please preregister to attend: https://commonwealthu-edu.zoom.us/…/tJwod…
(If we’re friends on Facebook, you can also go to my name here: scroll to graphic “Sickness, Secrets & Courage”: click on it and register using the link there.
You’ll receive an email on May 4 with the link to join the zoom meeting.)
Boot on ledge: Photo by Arūnas Naujokas on Unsplash
Confetti: erik-brolin-sp7ir7Xrs9U-unsplash
Klein photo: leaf with dew
LOVE that acronym for DWELL, Laurie. Am copying that down and keeping it view for awhile, to foster internalization. Dwelling while dewing is surely an important part of the abundant life Jesus offers us. I don’t want to miss it!
Me neither! And I so need constant reminders. I’m grateful to think this one will be useful to friends, as well. Thanks for letting me know.
Wishing you dew-drenched days, my friend!
Laurie, I’m all in on this from the Do & Be conundrum, to considering what eases me on and off the ledge, as you say. 🙂
I signed up to virtually attend your reading and look forward to it. I do hope you get to rest your thoughts on the dew in some moments leading up to it. (Do you ever carry a small stone, or the like, in your pocket for nerve-wracking events?)
I love what you say about the dew, “magnifying what’s real. Reflecting the light.” <3 I'm going to try your breath-prayer here and share it with my daughter too.
I read your turtle acrostic poem in the book today and just love, love, love it.
"Touch with care what you don't understand"
Yes. Gentle wisdom.
I LOVE that idea . . . to pocket something small and soothingly smooth on the day!
And during rehearsals, too. : )
A stone . . . or perhaps my blue, heart-shaped piece of copper-foiled stained glass. (I sometime hold it while reading, enjoying the seamless texture.)
Thank you so much for preregistering for the zoom launch. I will look forward to seeing you there (or your name, on the screen, whichever is most comfortable for you and conducive to listening).
Blessings on your day!
Your smooth blue copper-flecked heart sounds like just the thing. Yes, I don’t have a FB account, but the Zoom link I clicked sent me a little confirmation that I was pre-registered, so hopefully it works! I’m also going to try and listen next Sunday to the virtual reading at church, so I for sure get to hear one way or the other.. 🙂
You are dear! Thank you so much!
I wish I could give you a definitive answer about the zoom but, when it comes to tech, I seem to be part dinosaur . . .
Alternating between DO and Be… Martha and Mary.
Do & Dew.
Do or Dew.
I like these.
THANK YOU for sharing your acrostic.
Timely.
I relate to processing thoughts and prayer in this manner.
An answer to your question of how we “dwell on” the ledge… I have an acrostic too… thanks for asking because I needed the reminder…
W.A.I.T
W – ord… an open Bible and in the heart… a lot of Psalms!
A – dulate…. A mouth ready and filled with gratitude/praise. Expressions of love.
I – ntercession… others. Not always about me.😉
T – ransformed… me. In thought and practices.
By the way, was just thinking… “Isn’t it time for a LK post!?”
Be.
r
Oh, I love learning another life-giving acrostic . . . thank you!
My memory welcomes this kind of help (I just have to remember I have it “on file” when it’s been a while since I used it).
The words you chose will help me keep the priorities front and center. So grateful!
PLEEEEEASE put that little acrostic poem to music. I want that song in my head.
Oh, what a great idea! I will see what arises . . .