Soaking up Peace and Sunshine

Today I am abiding and soaking up the beauty of the island, its peace and sunshine and hoping to capture enough of it to light the path in the coming days for whatever life has in store.

The keyword is "grace."

Grace to love and support others. Grace to pray for my enemies. Grace to respond to rewrites. Grace to grieve at a memorial service for my dad next week. Grace especially to help carry my mom without any words, just through loving her in the days ahead. Grace to cheer for Matt in his job searches without any interference or editorializing (I know that's hard to believe that I would editorialize!) on my part.

Basically grace in all I do and am. And that will require moment by moment abiding.

Matt did email that my mom had an "incident" last night. His words were so gentle and kind in describing what happened. She took Finn, Matt and Carolyn's dog for a walk and he didn't have his harness collar on, and he can lunge, especially when he sees other dogs. Well, he saw another dog, lunged, and took my mom down in the process. Apparently she has a couple of black eyes and a scraped knee...it could have been worse, but I also pray for grace for her response. I imagine this won't help her frame of mind...blame is still a pretty big part of how she responds to situations.

I told Matt that there is still a silver lining in every situation, though, and even this, and to not accept blame for a choice she made to take the dog out in the rain.

May we all learn from the experiences we have, both easy and difficult; I find the lessons are usually more intense as we emerge from the tough spots in life. I think that was what the Apostle Paul is referring to when he addresses perseverance...I seem to be having plenty of practice in that department! But I know I am not alone.

May you also feel the presence of God on your journey. Peace.