Sometimes I wish I could sleep as well as my new four legged friend (See previous post).
But alas…it’s 2:30AM, and for whatever reason, I am awake. He’s still sleeping soundly, though. And I imagine will be for quite some time. Probably until the time that I get back to sleep and start sleeping soundly…then he’ll awake, and need to be walked.
It’s a lovely rhythm we are falling in to together. 
I have just adopted a dog from the Humane Society.
He seems to me to be about as good as dogs can get. He is house trained, mellow, not hyper at all and is learning to be loved. Because…I’m not entirely sure he was quite so loved before.
But, after several days at the pound, I thought he’d be so happy to be out of that situation. And don’t get me wrong, he totally is happy. I can tell…because he’s sleeping….and he’s sleeping like he hasn’t slept in ages. Now…when I’m really happy, I show it by being energetic, bouncing off the walls, etc. But not my new pup.
He’s happy…that’s for sure.
But more than happy…I think he knows he’s safe. And when you haven’t been safe in a really long time, it probably means you haven’t REALLYslept in a really long time. And that just seems to take priority.
So here’s to my new friend, Mordecai.
Rest well my friend. I’m a little nervous about the 6 month old puppy energy that may be on the otherside of these deep sleeps you are having. Bur for now, rest well.
You are safe.
I was in a funeral procession yesterday for a lady at the church. It was a long procession…and it lasted for nearly 45 minutes. I was the last car in line, with the exception of a police car that would pull ahead of me to stop traffic, then lag behind again.
At one point I glanced over and saw a man walking. Pants were hanging off him, baggy sweatshirt on, chain around his neck. I had totally pegged him. “Thug” I thought. And I’m ashamed to admit that I thought that…but I did.
As I got closer, I saw the man was carrying a hat, that he was holding over his heart. I did a double take, and as the procession finished driving by, he gave a solemn nod and put the hat back on his head. I don’t know if the man was praying, or just showing his respect, but, in those moments, the woman that had passed was on his mind…and that was important.
Whoever you are, I am sorry, and ashamed, that I would peg you so quickly.
Thank you for that lesson.
So…if you’ve been reading my blog, you may have noticed that two posts ago I wrote about the birth of my nephew.
The Gift of Life.
And then…my last post, was about someone dying.
To say the least, I’ve been trying to reconcile the two all day now. In my mind, at the first, they seem to be polar opposites. Life and death. Just like hot and cold. Or hard and soft. And it’s very difficult to live in a world where two totally opposing things are coming at you.
But maybe they aren’t so polar opposites after all. It doesn’t make the joy of life…or the pain of dying…any different to have that realization. I’m still thrilled about the birth of my nephew…and I still ache for those who are sick or dying. It doesn’t take away those emotions…it just makes them…reconciled.
Grace and Peace to all of you.
So I arrived at work this morning. We’ve had a parishoner sick in the hospital for a few days now…and it’s beginning to look rough. When I got here I was talking to our administrator. She gave me a book, “Gone From My Sight”…the book that hospice hands out to those who have a family member dying.
It is well written. Not depressing at all…simply stating what happens in the body as a person dies. It is actually very poetic…and peaceful.
But it makes me want to weep.
So, today, I pray for tears.
It’s been an anxiety driven pregnancy for my brother and sister-in-law.
Finally, it was decided that their baby, my nephew, would be born on February 5th. He was a pretty big baby, and Lauren is definitely tiny…so C-section was pretty much essential.
Well…my nephew apparently gained some of the Johnson impatience…because yesterday, they decided that it was time to get that boy out of there. At 5:11PM my nephew, Truitson Creger Johnson was born.
So…without further adieu, I present him to you.
Truitt Johnson (8 pounds, 1 oz. 19.5 inches tall):
Welcome to world, sweet boy.
Things are good. Things are great for me.
For the first time in a LONG time…I feel the ground under my feet. I have a solid footing.
Could things possibly be working out?
I’m in a bible study on discernment. As I have prepared this week to meet tonight, several thoughts have come in to my head…but primarily, right now, the thought that is in my head is, “Don’t stop discerning”
Because…things are working out. Through the pain of the past two years…my seperation, divorce, not going to seminary, trying desperately to find work after 6 months of unemployment…I truly feel I’ve been called right where I am. I have discerned. And I have been faithful.
So, it’s easy for me to stop. And maybe that’s what I’m called to do…stop and rest. Regroup. Refresh. But that doesn’t mean stop listening. I must keep discerning, or I will become complacent. So, the following is my prayer for this point in my life. My prayer for continuing discernment…even as I feel confident in my calling to be where I am.
My vision is blurry Lord, make it clear.
My hearing is muffled Lord, make it clear.
My wisdom is cloudy Lord, make it clear.
My heart is scarred Lord, make it clear.
Lord, have mercy.
