Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

Back in January, my 14 year old son was practicing wrestling after school with the high school students.  He was drilling and rolling around on the mats with seniors and boys who were bigger than him.  It's been that kind of year - his passion for this sport has led him to many one-on-one lessons, extra practices and hours weight training with older students and coaches.  In one of these practices he injured his neck, and came home in pain and needing to take a day off school to let it heal. After Cody's neck injury, we gave him some time to recover, rest and recuperate and he started feeling better.  After a couple of weeks away from wrestling, he wanted to get back into it again so we slowly eased him back into it. He started off the middle school season with a few good meets, won a tournament and then it became clear this neck pain wasn't getting better, so two weeks ago we had an x-ray done.  That's when the roller coaster ride began.  At th...

She lays in a hospital bed, not moving her hand, her leg or even her mouth without great difficulty. Her hair has been shaved around the spot where the surgeon entered to remove the dangerous blot clot and to stop the bleeding that threatened her life. Her home is being remodeled to accommodate her new needs though she spends hours each day in physical therapy re-training her brain to accomplish ordinary, everyday tasks that I take for granted. Just a few weeks ago, she was busy teaching the children at AWANA about God's love for the world, teaching the women about God's Word, planning a Christmas tea and dinner and now, her life has been turned upside down. How would I respond if I were to face such a challenge? If my husband were to be in this place? Would I start each day with praise, would I find reasons for thanksgiving in everything from oatmeal, silly speech or wiggling toes? Would I? ( I'm rather inclined to think that I might be resentful, frustrated and depresse...

The king perused the valley far below and saw a multitude of white canvas tents. From his perch on the mountainside, it looked like daisies littering the green valley. He estimated the troops below and took stock of his army. Too many against too few. What should he do? How would he face this formidable force of three kings joined together to defeat him? Immediately, he knew the answer. The wise young king gathered together all the people of his kingdom and told them the battle was more than they could handle alone. He commanded them to begin fighting this battle before they went down into the valley by fasting and praying. And so, they waged war on their knees. They disciplined themselves to abstain from the pleasure of eating until they knew this battle was won. They prayed and they sought the favor of the Lord; they brought their pleas before the the ruler over all kingdoms and the One who holds power and might in His hand. They implored Him for victory over this evil because they h...

Psalm 19:1-2 NIV “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Golden rays of joy dance with pink skirted ladies along a tangerine river. Suddenly an angel fire of crimson leaps into the scene as a lavender dress slips in to join the ball. They dance for the joy of Jesus, for the glory of God. Dancing partners shift and pause to watch the glorious becoming as each one in turn transforms from one hue to another. Darkness is stealing in but the dancers continue on. Slowly each one tiptoes off the stage and meanders home. After a short interlude new performers begin to tune up their instruments and prepare for the night-time display. The black curtain darkens the stage and one by one, splashes of shimmering light sing out a song of praise. The beacons dance into formation joining arms and singing softly of The Way. A silver crescent hangs in the center of the spark...

The air is as crisp as the juicy tart Macintosh I bite into as I meander down the dirt path. Overhead, the canopy explodes with vibrant shades of autumn – the foliage is on fire blazing a chorus of praise to the Creator of all. As a gentle breeze sings through the flames, crackling noises accompany the dancing hues of crimson and gold. A few sparks fly loose and tumble to the ground at my feet. I kick around the dying flames which have not turned to ashes, not yet at least. The crystal sky is set as a clear backdrop to the majesty of the Artist’s work and the scent of remembrance is in the air. In order to appreciate the artistry around me, I must look up; I look up through the flames to heaven and my vision is refocused on eternity. The earth, my home, has been on this path before – its cyclical elliptical path never changing year after year and it has returned to this spot so many miles from the sun once again. My pace slows as I recall the past times in this place on the pat...