Which Way?
Picture a big hollow stump, underwater: flat rim, heart rotted out. Two barefoot girls can straddle the edge, toes curled. They must steady each other when fish eggs slime the surface, catch hold of each other when waves wash in.
Using the stump as a platform, my childhood friend and I invented a game: “Spur-of-the-Moments.”
- Hold your breath
- Submerge, jackknifing knees
- Rocket skyward, striking multiple poses (points for the zaniest)
- Ta-da! Splashdown
Failure to stick the landing meant flailing through milfoil, and muck, snootfuls of billowing silt, moments of sputtering.
Twisting, mid-leap, sometimes I lost my bearings. Which way was home?
Jump cut to current politics: nationwide waves of dismay, hope, anger, dread, triumph, loss. An old tongue twister comes to mind: A skunk sat on a stump. The skunk thunk the stump stunk; but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
Which way is up?
My pastor reminds me, “What God builds will last.”
Despite urgency, transitory players, perceived obstacles. Despite hollow declarations and erosive backchat. Threats and reprisals. Fluid truth.
Generous God, give me the long view.
For me, yearning for what’s eternal means trust plus action:
eschew fear,
enact contagious kindness,
emulate bold hope.
In other words, align with the life and teachings of Christ, whose earthly days among friends and foes alike both inspire and challenge me. Sometimes hourly.
The old stump game was wildly impulsive: hasty, unthinking, rash. Also . . . fun. Somewhere between my best impulse and worst reactions there must be a potent, if precarious, balance point. A shot at delight. Freedom from feeling grieved, angry, jaded. Daily diminished by worry.
Perhaps a prayer for graced spontaneity?
Dear Maker and Lover of Trees, grow my integrity—minus distortion and irony. Grant me taproot faith when the figurative waters around me deepen and roil.
Here’s how The Message voices the Savior’s concern for us:
“Are you tired? Worn out? . . .
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (Matt. 11:28-29).
Harder times ahead seem inevitable. How I appreciate upbeat friends like you! Your comments and presence buoy my spirits—no matter what fellow voters decide or who wins public office.
Sediment happens. Amid the campaign muckraking, let’s point each other toward calm waters. No need to be sucked under. Let’s seek wisdom. Love well. Then, take the next leap.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more
as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV).
Amid candidates out stumping and hair-trigger tensions smoldering, which way is home? What helps you, en route, to sustain balance?
You might also enjoy:
Upbeat People, Unsung Transitions
Underwater: Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
Chipmunk in hollow stump: Photo by Leila Boujnane on Unsplash
Which way was home?
Trust plus action.
Love the E’s… eschew, enact and emulate.
I like what another E has said… “Prayer is answering God” – Eugene Peterson.
“A prayer for graced spontaneity,” brings to mind instantly the apostle Paul to the Romans… “Be instant in prayer.”
Your offering has reminded me to get back to where I’ve been led at times this year, to sit and talk with Him about everything. Dialogue like a friend sitting with me. The most trusted and forgiving friend.
Because we know, “sediment happens.”
Thank you for challenging us.
Rick, thanks for sharing that Peterson quote, which is new to me, and both thought-provoking as well as stirring. I’m grateful for your link to Paul’s exhortation, too.
So grateful for your insights and honesty!
“What God builds will last.”
YES & Amen!
Thank you for your uplifting post Laurie:)
Gratefully,
Katie
Dear Katie,
You are so welcome! Hearing those words, so simply said, yet so profound, on a recent Sunday when I was edging toward overwhelm felt . . . electrifying. Just what my soul needed. Grateful to know it resonates with you as well. Thank you for letting me know!
In talking with others I try to keep two things in my pocket. One is Extra Minutes. Impatience is my enemy. Second is Giving What I Want to Get. My response to those who have differing opinions should be what I hope to get from them. This is not necessarily agreement, what it is, is being heard. We all want to be heard.
This does not solve differences. It makes it so conversation, discussion, is possible.
Susan, I am going to adopt that visual: a replenish-able pocket brimming with resources of grace I can extend: time/patience, and generosity. A wonderfully kind and potentially fruitful way to be. Thank you. I’m so grateful for the image!
I was caught up in your “Spur-of-the Moments” imagining how that would feel. Thanks for bringing the relief of whimsy back in view, Laurie. And, as always, gravitating toward “contagious kindness.” Your pointing toward gentleness with each other keeps hope afloat, one reader at a time. <3
Bethany, how delightful to know you could sense that headlong, breathless energy, the sheer play of it. Your words encourage my heart to keep sounding the call toward kindness, friend. And to remember whimsy.
I once entered a bookstore restroom and found a note left on the mirror. I don’t recall the message but the signature stuck with me and I resolved to somehow join the ranks:
“Signed, The Agents of Whimsy”
🙂
Oh, I love that; I’m joining too!
YAY! <3
In fact, I think I’ll take a little action on having fun and play with found poetry tonight. Might be just the effervescence I need this week. Clinking decaf coffee mugs with you!
I LOVE what you sent after effervescing . . . <3
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” I love this. Wonderful words to start my day as I prepare for enjoying another 10 days with my beloved sister – you! See you later today?♥️
Me too, let’s practice all week!! See you soon xoxoxoxo
You are so right, Laurie. There is no need to be sucked under amid the campaign muckraking. When troublesome thoughts begin to spin in my mind, I’m helped by remembering that God is sovereign (Daniel 4:34-35), he’s always working to bring good out of all circumstances (Romans 8:28), and he’s absolutely trustworthy because of his perfect character (Deuteronomy 32:4). I can always stick the landing, through Christ who strengthens me! (Please remind me of these realities if I spin out of control one of these days!)
Dear Nancy, thank you for highlighting these passages for us all. Beautiful promises to lean on. I am so glad to be reminded.
And yes, I’ll nudge, if needed, as friends do, and please do likewise for me! I so appreciate your wisdom and presence here.
Happy fourth to you and yours!
Very helpful and comforting , that’s who you are, dear Laurie.
My thoughts have gone to remembering the tyrants that our Jesus lived with. And how He loved well in spite of the political climate around Him.
Thanks for the encouragement to do the same.
Oh, I’m so glad you found encouragement here, friend. Thank you for your kind words. And for the reminder that Christ was tested in all things for our sake, and he companions us now with perfect empathy and wisdom. Such consolation!
Happy fourth to you two!
Indeed, we must take the “long view,’ however, we cannot ignore the short path before us, and this requires a journey into the unknown, and walking by faith. For the child of God, this is the pilgrim mindset, and we shall never be fully comfortable or accepted in this world, and we inhabit it as strangers.
John, so true! Thank you for the reminder of our pilgrim status in these times, precious as well as precarious! Happy fourth to you, John!
Oh Laurie
How I needed these positive thoughts and scripture today. You are so wise. We need to focus on walking with God and know that we can continue to love no matter the outcome. Blessings to you my friend. I love your writings. Thank you
Wendie, those verses are helping me, too. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I hope you are surrounded today by your amazing family.