Song

Remember, we are part of a universal chorus; a collective of individuals united together under one communion. We are placed exactly where we are needed for the beauty of the whole, all under the passion and abundance of Christ.

In keeping with this blog's theme; I am eternally thankful for this.

Memories

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

Today and for quite some time I have been thankful for memories.

Recently, I have experienced multiple yet inexplicably random flashbacks. Anything from visions of my grandmother’s sunlit silhouette watering a willow tree, to thoughts of Kaisha climbing into my cherry red classic Mustang when we first started dating. I’ve had glimpses of “Hee Haw” run through my thoughts as well as moments of reading Walt Whitman on the deck of Uncle Raymond’s sailboat. All these moments that pop back into the present from time to time deserve so much explanation, they’re all epic stories, if unpacked individually, yet for some reason daily existence has a way of shrinking them into small blips. The day may allow time for a smile or even a chuckle but these recollections are quickly pushed back into the recesses. My story, my grand story, which in turn affects your story, can only be told by remembering these small moments. They cling together to form who I am.

Like the time my college roommate burned down our apartment while frying shrimp and showering simultaneously.

Like the time when Joe, Joey, and I swam out to an island somewhere in Lake Lanier and covered ourselves with a red/yellow clay mud from head to toe, a little homemade spa day.

Like the time my pawpaw filled a bowl with water and then floated a glass of Coca Cola in it - per my hankering for a “coke float”.

Like the times Samuel used to take naps on my chest while swinging in a hammock outside our house in Alabaster.

Like the time when I along with two others purchased over one hundred raw oysters, they where on sale as it was the last day of the season, and downed them in one night.

Like the time Samuel found a chicken head lying at our door; good job Elie (dog).

All these moments, fleeting from the spotlight yet in fact telling the entirety of the production. For these moments, when remembered at oddly placed times in the day, I am thankful.

I am also thankful that I have broken the blog drought.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning…”

- Lamentations 3 –





Today I am thankful for the -

Peaceful embrace of easy falling snow
Blanketing with vigor
its uniform purity
covering
the day…

Innumerable collaborations of frozen white rain
Parachuting onto our lawns
Invading our pain, with a convergence of
Mercy,
Peace,
and Love

Supple Joy
unexpected,
unplanned,
unknown…

What’s next?
What surprise lingers just moments from now?
What creative expression is just around the corner?

GOD has in mind, new Glory…

We now, with fresh reminders, anticipate delight.

Pimp or Pastor?

I am thankful for those who do not allow themselves to be caught within the restraints of culture or society. Those who hear something different, who see something other than the norm. They walk around as if they know something; something enlightening. As if they have been given a gift.

"He who has ears, let him hear."

Those among us that see; bless this world with amusement, with provocation, with inspiration.

C.S. Lewis in "the Weight of Glory" offers the following:

"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would strongly be tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal."

Makes you wonder. If we knew the true nature of the man pictured above would we be tempted to worship or would we run in horror? Either way this guy looks like he has something brewing a bit deeper than what you and I might call normal. There are no mere mortals. If we all lived a slight bit closer to our spiritual reality this world would burst with color, sound, and texture.

May your light shine; the light of Glory; the light that was in the beginning; the light that the darkness cannot overcome. "To live is Christ."

Like the delicate whiskers found within the small of a women’s back,

Like drops of due clinging to the newly birthed foliage of the garden,

Like puddles of rain dancing in the dark of night,

Like the smooth surface of a pool seconds before havoc is unleashed

'

…moments all to often pass through time with no real acknowledgement, no witness, no thank you. We remember moments, but do we taste their aroma thick in the current? Do we live the life found within the moments? Moments that have been culminating for thousands of years, they burst into our view, alive and fresh for consumption, there purpose is to inspire, and they are filled with delight when they are noticed.

'

Praise God for continued creation; for the flow of days. Praise God when our eyes are open; when our hearts are aware.
'

Thank you for moments.

The Journey

Today, I am thankful for past writings. Below is an email I sent out a number of years ago to a few close friends. It's fun sometimes to remember.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samuel came up to me recently saying, "Daddy, I need to show you something. I found something!"

Mattie and I where up for a nice surprise, so we began to follow Samuel outside to see what he had found. Samuel led us around the house full of excitement and anticipation. As we entered the side yard all three of us, with Samuel on point, marched directly into a large pile of leaves.

Samuel began shuffling through the pile ferociously. Pushing and pulling the leaves around as if he had misplaced the surprise. By his demeanor I knew there must be something wonderful underneath. Mattie and I joined in the search.

"It was right here." Samuel voiced his frustration.

"Maybe, it’s over here?" he continued, not giving up hope.

After another several minutes we all sat down together. Not really giving up but simply taking a brief break in the search. We never really found anything that day. The something that Samuel had found personally was apparently rather elusive.

Now maybe there was something or maybe he just thought there was something, but the experience left me smiling from ear to ear. The wonderful something Samuel had found; that something he was desperately trying to share with Mattie and I was unreachable. In fact I’m not sure it was tangible at all. I believe it was relational. Maybe Samuel took us on his seeking mission simply for the comradery, simply for the company.

During those few moments we all shared in the faith that there was something physically there, amazing to behold, but somehow we never found "It". But I’m not sure if the “Journey” wasn’t the prize. The time we spent together in the wind; in the leaves; in the day was in fact the prize. Our participation was the treasure. Samuel reminded me in that simple moment to enjoy the ride, to enjoy the experience, the search, and to enjoy the people searching with you.

I’m enjoying the ride, are you?

There is a transcendent communion found among those whom have witnessed the divine, and although I did not know Lygon Stevens in this world, I am anxious to meet her in the next. The purity of truth that flows from her pen gives witness that she indeed has tasted the nectar of Almighty God. Take a moment, experience her story, and crave the eternal once more.

www.heightsoffaith.com

For her life I am thankful.

Snow Day

Proverbs 31:21

" When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."

Or as Eugene Peterson translates in the Message.

"She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear."

Kaisha, the kids, and I bundled up yesterday in our best scarlet, ok maybe not scarlet but in some pretty decent looking winter cloths. We set out into the snow for a trek around the neighborhood ending with a fairly nice snowball fight and the construction of a miniature snowman ice skating on our pond.

Kaisha made the comment that this event would make the blog, so to self elect a prophetess in the family I scribe these few lines...

"An excellent woman, who can find?"

Kaisha did most of the bundling. Layer upon layer, hats, gloves, scarves all on whiny little kids that of course had to relieve themselves after realizing they where fully clothed.

For my wife, I am thankful. For our walk, I am thankful. And for the gracious peace of falling snow purifying our reality with a covering of white, I am thankful.

A great 1st snow day of 2010.

Roll Tide.

The gift of peace

Yes, yes, I am thankful, just not taking the time to reflect.

It’s the small things lately that keep me smiling and saying thanks again and again.

Last night, I just put the two older children to bed and took Emma in my arms to sit down and watch the Orange Bowl. I had been attempting this all evening, however did not make it to the couch until about 2-3 minutes before the half. Kaisha is working late again and the parental staff at home was down to one last night. But regardless, I was given a gift, a brief momentary gift, of Emma completely calm, in my arms, and watching football. For that moment I am thankful. Her tiny little hands, her soft warm head, and briefly her complete attention on Iowa and Georgia Tech. (Not sure for which team she was pulling)

Another please: This morning while driving the girls to day school my vehicle broke through a flock of birds scattering them through a picturesque landscape of steaming winter streams and old dilapidated wood paneled shacks. The frost glistening; the sun shining; and birds flying. For this brief glimpse at peace I am thankful.

I’m even thankful for future excitement. The possibility of snow conjures up Samuel and Mattie giggles, of which I love. Maybe a snowman is in our future. Remember to get the bread and milk, I hear they are running out.