Preparing for the Journey

Journal entry Date: March 23, 2007

I walked today, with Jenny, in the woods and in preparation for walking for weeks along the Camino (Spanish for “the way”). When we began today, the rain came as an intrusion and disruption, an annoyance and a problem to protect against. The showers meant pulling out the rain gear and keeping out the wet, how will the rain and the trail make muddy the problems ahead?

Not long later I noticed Jenny, seemed to care little of the discomfort. She was more focused on the trail and the way and the next discovery. I wondered about Spain and the rain on the plains, and how I would travel there when it was wet. What gifts and awareness, learning’s or hardships will come?

As the afternoon walked along, I noticed another change… in me. Instead of a posture of protecting myself from the rain, as we do when we run inside when the sprinkles begin. Now, the rain was more part of the pleasure of going. It too was becoming part of the adventure and fun of walking. Even the rain is part of the experience, part of accepting the world around me with great patience and joy. Walking with the rain is learning to let go of how I’m affected and receive the company that comes, even company I might not otherwise have chosen. There is much of life to experience which is good that would otherwise fall outside of my petty, self-centered desire for how things should be. I seldom realize how I shut myself off when I run inside from of the rain.

Perhaps of this journey, which begins from Easter, I can prepare to meet the unchosen fun (the moments I would run from), like the rain; to receive them, to accept them and relish each moment with the invitation it offers.

For now, the droplets come and go in their natural cycle, as the rain clouds pass over, and I walk along too, at my own pace, more accompanied by the clouds and rain rather than running from them. I dance among the droplets as they splash, while I walk and enjoy their falling on and around me… much more like the dog and the joy of the trail.

Laugh, dance and raise your voice to heaven

Taking in deeply the wonder and beauty of the world, seeking it’s heights, breathing fully of its natural fragrances, is very close to worship.

Love, appreciation and wonder are seeds that give start and nurture to faith.

Good as Gold

Taste and see that the Lord is Good. (Psalm 34:8)

Follow the Sun!

Watching, Breathing, Praying?

Who is watching whom?

This is a spy hop – surging up to allow a view of who is around and what is happening on the surface. It is curiosity and self protection, and awareness all wrapped up into one.

This barnacle encrusted Grey Whale is popping up to check us out. To look into a world were she cannot enter but for a brief moment. It is a curious thing that without this surface world, she would also not be able to breathe. She can plumb great depths on one solitary breath and scour the bottom for a meal, filtering through the sands. But soon she must again return to the surface were she cannot live for long at all, but from which she is inextricable linked.

I think of my prayer life like this. If I go too long without it, I weaken and suffer. I must return again to a work that is curious and interesting. Yet it is a world in which I cannot live. I too must dive back down into the realm of my daily existence. But Yes, I must not get too far from that place were I will, and must return to see what is going on and to Breathe, to look around and know my world better.

In the breathing there is life and broadened awareness, and so it is with prayer.

Moments of Agony and Fulfillment

The Artful Crash

The technique of the artful crash: To float along, eyeing the blue depth just below the surface until the goal is within sight. And then, to roll over, head braced - wings folded back, body streamlined and smash into the blue resistance. Perchance the aim was true and the impact undeviating and a meal is gained, if only a couple of morsels for the work.

There has got to be a better way to get a meal!

There are times in my journey of faith when I feel like this:  A few morsels gained amid the spectacular crash.  I wonder at the courage it takes to keep crashing about for the sustenance of faith.  Yet, on occasion, a really satisfying meal keeps me coming back for more.