Shining Spirit

The ocean is magnificent and magical. Those waves rolling in with such authority and then retreating to form another attack. The beach sand that ripples in some places, smooth in others. So easy to walk on the water-soaked sand, so difficult to slog through loose, powdery sand that grabs your boot and holds onto it for a laugh. The ocean and its surroundings are wonderful.

But I discovered again yesterday something I had known but forgotten in the glamor of the rolling surf. Sitting on a floating dock in warm sunshine and watching the stillness of the inlet is not bad, at all. It was peaceful, much quieter than the glamorous ocean, and it offered its own visual appeal. So, I conclude this about that: A balanced life for me means enjoying the drama and excitement of the surf to the fullest…but when I’m the emptiest, I run to the floating dock and I sit for a while. Amazing what smooth, non-talkative, calm inlet water will do for a frazzled mind or a troubled soul. Sound somewhat familiar? It’s the same spiritual principle that I’ve mentioned before. We both need reminding periodically. Consider yourself reminded. One thing more: In the Book of Psalms, there is a verse that begins: ”This is the day the Lord has made; let us go and sit on a dock (a quiet place) and listen to the water…” Good advice from a very reputable source. Press on.

I love how life blends so beautifully. The elements of water, air, land, living things…compliment and caress each other as if they were made to do so. As if they were designed this way. And they were. You and I fit into this picture somewhere, among the ingredients of life’s wonders. That is especially true here in the days before Christmas because the power and purpose of this sacred celebration has much to do with God blending shepherds and wise men and stars and animals…and even God’s own Self…into one moment in time which is the eternal reality of God’s love. The Creator becoming part of the Creation. The Artist stepping into the painting. The Sculptor disappearing into the marble so that it becomes a living entity. In case I forget, I wish for you a very Merry Christmas this year. And, I wish for all of us an awakening to the divine dimensions of this eternal gift. Let your prayers be for peace, your efforts be for justice among your sisters and brothers, your heart be soften by the urgency of need in the world, and your hands be always open to bless and give. Shalom and may the grace, the mercy, and the love of Christ fill you. 

Early yesterday the fog and mist moved in very low over the water, almost hiding the mountain. I knew the fog would drift away in time, but I was disappointed that the only photo opportunity was a big, gray mass. As I watched the fog move slowly, I thought of the times when waiting was the only option. Things don’t always happen on my schedule. Unforeseen circumstances, unplanned situations can thwart the best intentions, and then all that is left is….waiting. I’ve discovered, though, that waiting provides wonderful opportunities to see from a new perspective, to discover a different reality, to simply appreciate the unexpected. Waiting is not a waste of time. It is a new time adventure for the senses and the soul. Maybe you will have a chance today to experience a period of waiting. Probably. I hope so.

It's waiting that's hard; I want it now, but
some things take time; hand to the plow.
Plant the seed and watch it grow.
Like it or not, life is so.
No matter how hard I wish or pray,
I just have to wait for another day.
Patience develops when I'm able to say:
perhaps tomorrow, but not today.

The home of Kindness is a caring heart,
where this fine virtue gets its start.
In time kindness moves to a smiling face,
and then to hands of mercy and grace.
Before you know it, kindness controls
the daily encounters of body and soul.
In these days of pain and sorrow,
kindness will create a better tomorrow.

My mom once said: "Take the Honest way
in all you do, whether work or play."
She was right, of course, and I know it now
but then, it seemed, no matter how
I lived my life, how I chose to be,
it all came down to what suited me.
Bend the rules? What's the bottom line?
No matter the cost, not yours but mine.

Finally Love, where all virtues combine,
self-giving love that is inclined
to take the risk, to pay the price,
beyond the platitudes of being nice.
Love is patient and love is kind,
give it away and you will find
that love returns to the place of its start,
the living flesh of a Christ-like heart.

Beauty, deep beauty, waits for time.

No. That is not me. I’ve never had a burning desire to ride a surf board. You? But I do admire the fortitude and courage of those who paddle out beyond the first breaker, stand up on that slippery board, and ride to glory. The people in this photo are quite near the shore line, but there are several more much farther out in the ocean waiting for The Big wave. Courage. It takes courage for some people to get up in the morning, to face difficult decisions, to try new things…to change from the familiar to the untried. Especially today I think courage is required as women and men try to hammer out peace in the Middle East, to address border issues right here in our own country, to stand up for justice and fairness in the political arena and in the marketplace. Maybe you are aware of the need for courage in your average day. I remind you to let the life of Jesus be a guide map to courage. He had it, used it, and calls us to do the same when it comes to matters of human welfare.  Be strong and of good courage, for you are a child of God and a brother or sister to the Lord of our lives. May God, this day, strengthen your spirit and grant you courage to be the fullness of who you are. Amen.

A Manzanita illustration of the famous poem, “Footprints In The Sand.”
Walking with God through life, the poet sounds an accusing tone: You walked with me, God, in all the good times, but in the tough times you abandoned me. I know that because there is only one set of footprints instead of two. In reply, the Lord corrects this mistaken observation.
No, I didn’t leave you alone. When you see one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

Ever notice one set of footprints when you look back over your life? Probably. Welcome to the human race. The Spirit works in us and through us, even when we don’t know it’s happening. What love that is! Be grateful for the unfailing strength and love that sustains us through all circumstances.

St. Paul was correct: ”Love never gives us, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

No words needed. 
Just look at it.
Taken at 2:45 a.m.
At 2:55 a.m. it was gone.
A morning blessing.

This is not the usual ShiningSpirit posting, but I think it is important for me to collect some information regarding readership for this site. I wrote the first entry about ten years ago, and I’ve tried to be diligent in keeping the site active and meaningful. Over the years, many of you have offered lots of encouragement and constructive comments. But it is time now for me to do some evaluation, and I’m hoping you will help. I am asking you to spend just a few minutes considering three specific questions. If you agree to do this, you can text or email or comment through the site or drop in at our Oregon address and share your responses. Participate or not, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season this year. 

1. I read ShiningSpirit: Every day___  Once or twice a week ___  Rarely____
2. I am registered as a “Follower” (you receive a separate email every time a posting it done).      Yes___  No___
3. I would like ShiningSpirit to continue in 2024.  Yes___  No___

You are welcome to make narrative comments but I will leave that to you. Thank you very much for reading the postings. Your help in evaluating the site is very important and truly appreciated.

Roger

I got an example yesterday of how human beings have contributed to the evolution and development of this good creation. There are three seagulls in the photo. One is on the left side, just above the beach. Another is in the foreground, probably watching the other two glide through the air. And the third bird, in the upper right corner, appears to be flying by. But let me explain exactly what is happening in this photograph. You are looking at the fundamental flight procedures at any sizable airport. Bird number 1, on the far left, is coming in for a landing. He has his wings extended to full shape; we call it having the airplane’s flaps in landing position…more air under the wing. The bird’s landing gear is down…legs and web feet…and he appears to be looking straight ahead at the landing zone on the beach. Airport runways have landing zones where the aircraft should touch down. Bird number 2, foreground, is holding at the end of the runway until number1 touches down and turns off the runway. At major airports, Ground Control moves planes into position for takeoff and guides landing planes to various gates. That leaves number 3, who is not just flying by, but is on his downwind leg in the landing pattern and is about to make a left turn into his final approach for landing. There is a lot of orchestration, maybe choreography, in the daily routines of big city airports.  Amazing to watch, the dance of take-offs and landings is a tribute to human intelligence and skill. But here’s the point: I am really impressed with seagulls and other birds that have learned from human intelligence. Those birds are smart to have mimicked how we intellectually superior humans do things. Clever birds.