A sense of wonder

A few days ago, I was driving my friend's daughter home when I noticed a rainbow in the sky. I pointed it out to her and her excitement gave me a renewed sense of wonder. As we watched it, I noticed that it was a full, perfect arc across the sky, complete with a second, partial rainbow to one side. I was glad of the heavy traffic as we shared the joy of the experience.
Later, when we were at home, I asked about the highlights of her day. Without pausing, she replied, "The rainbow - I've been waiting forever to see it!"

Love

For lots of reasons recently I've been thinking about the friends who know me best and particularly those that have known me through lots of seasons of my life.  They have seen the best and worst of me, they have let me be who I have been at each season, they have walked the journey with me and let me walk it with them.  Those friendships teach me daily about unconditional love - what it is to give and receive it.  Even without daily physical presence in each others lives, their presence in my life helps me to receive grace from myself, God and others and helps me to truly love both who I am and who I am becoming.

unexpected sources

I've been part of an online forum since November and am so thankful for the wonderful group of people I've met there. I never imagined that I would find such a degree of friendship and support among people I (mostly) haven't met.
Last week I was faced with the possibility of surgery, requiring a week or more of childcare assistance during recovery. Within hours of mentioning the problem on the forum, one dear friend offered to come to my house and help every day while two others invited me to stay in their homes, caring for me and my little one while I recovered.
I had prayed that the necessary assistance would be provided and the offers came from many sources. I have now discovered that the surgery is not necessary, but I feel blessed to have experienced God's abundance.

A conversation that mattered

Today I had the opportunity to talk with someone who was interested in volunteering in the op shop.  I knew from previous conversations with him that he was on a significant spiritual journey following a particular "path" but I didn't know more than that.  I was somewhat nervous going into the conversation knowing that I needed to be clear about where we were coming from - and the Way that inspires us - but also not wanting to go down an exclusivist path.  So I went into the conversation clear but open and it was great.  I was honest about where SPACE is coming from and the non negotiables for us.  I also had the opportunity to hear something of his journey and then for him to ask me about something of mine.  A great conversation of respect and honesty.  He may or may not volunteer but I feel more confident than ever at my changing way of expressing the things that matter to me and showing real interest and respect in others spiritual journeys.

car keys

Last week I lost the key of the hire car I had while I was at the shops. I looked everywhere, retraced my steps, asked centre management and repeated the process. After being told by the car company that they couldn't replace the key until the next day and that it would be very expensive, I burst into tears in coles, joining in with my tired, crying baby. The employees were very kind, but couldn't really help me. Then a passing woman asked what was wrong and said she had been in the post office earlier when someone had handed in a key to a hire car found in the car park. I hadn't asked at the post office as I hadn't been in there and they had no way of finding me. I thank God for sending this observant and slightly nosy woman to the post office and coles at just the right moments!

Unexpected care

Yesterday was the 4th anniversary of my good friend Paul's death.  It was a hard and strange day which I wrote about on my personal blog.  A comment on that blog meant the world to me and spoke deeply to me of God's care and love.  A comment from a friend who I have never met, who another good friend has met.  Really we are blog world friends.  She commented about holding me in Holy Presence.  I feel that being held, and I feel her care - care and holding from an unexpected place.  The unexpected nature of it makes it easier for me to see God in it.

God is good

I actually got a 'God-shiver' when I looked out from Boroka Lookout in the Grampians yesterday. The view was so awe-inspiring, the scale of it all so overwhelming.

Tho' nearly half the park has been burnt it is starting to regrow but the untouched places are the ones that really speak to me of God..the gully nearly a kilometre long, full of bright gold wattle, the dry area at the north of the park blooming like a garden, and all of it so incredibly complex, no matter how closely a details person like me looks at it.

Despite the burning, there were masses of wallabies and roos, four types at least, and so many birds including at least one new to us. Two beautiful blue herons perched in a dead tree just behind where we were staying, huge and still for us to feast on with our binoculars.

I needed this beauty so badly, and it was so much better than expected on a midwinter break. It relaxes me to contemplate the intricate relationships and deeply satisfying forms in Creation.