It’s been blowing wild horses most of this week. I almost flew away today while hiking out to a point, where the icy waves lifted to mist, and the sun shot reds and greens through the spray. The wind chill was zero or less, all this the tailings of a blizzard that swept in yesterday.
But the day after the blizzard here, when most of us were curdling our hot chocolate with our hot breath, cold hands and withering questions, three people walked casually into frostbite winds to ride the frigid crushing waves. How is it that when some of us are trying to stay rooted and safe others are riding the highest coldest waves they can find?
And how is it, after catastrophe, some know all the questions without a single answer? Some know all the answers without a single question? And others know nothing, and insist that all claim ignorance as well?
Enough has been said this week. I offer only this, and I hope it is enough:
The worst we can do is stop doing what we should be doing this week.
For me, I will still walk, despite the wind and cold.
I will still count the hours of light instead of the hours of darkness.
On Christmas Eve, I will still light a candle with 100 others in a darkened sanctuary singing "Silent Night, Holy Night."
And every day I will pray thanks to the God who chose to born among dirt, hay and stones, who never turned from our dirt and our death until he offered us His own.
Because of this, every day, here, sorrow and joy meet. I will feel both-----and carry on.
Thank you for sharing this place with me, and walking into the days and nights together. With much gratitude and prayers for your good,
and wishing you the merriest of Christmases,
Leslie
Thanks Leslie, Enjoy your Blizzard Surfing!! also heard you are Wed. on FLToday. Keep it up, you do a great job! You all have a very Merry Christmas. We don't have snow, but that is ok, snow for Christmas day and all the kids plan to go skiig. Greet your families for us. C & Leola
ReplyDeleteLeola! I'll pass your greetings on to my family. We're so thankful for this season, that God has not left us alone . .. And I'm thankful for your presence here and all your encouragement. Wishing you all God's good things in the new year!! Leslie
DeleteYou hit the nail right on the head; despite the horror of what happened last Friday, there are no words to describe it, no answers, so we should not stop what we are supposed to do this week and every week. P. Vest
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thank you for sharing. Happy Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteI thought about that night two thousand years ago, when babies were slaughtered in an effort to extinguish the light. Surely there was unspeakable sorrow, and yet they had to continue the journey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Leslie.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a joyous Christmas.
P.S. I really cannot imagine surfing in that water!
Linda---you must believe that it was so cold you can hardly keep your face in the wind---and there they were on the beach near my house plunging face first into those waves . . which made me feel like a complete pansy!! But yes, I think of that night---and the night the Israelites fled Egypt, and all the firstborn who died .... Truly, sorrow that terrible night as well. Thanks for being here with me each week, Linda. Your words and presence bless me!! Leslie
ReplyDeleteLeslie, thank you. You are a gift that God gave me this year. Thank you so much for this blog it is just what I needed today.
ReplyDeleteSarah, so glad you've been here this year. Grateful to have a God who works in spite of our own failings . . . Merry Christmas!
DeleteWarm and nourishing words. We all must find the strength to carry on, a step at a time, a sorrowful breath at a time, perhaps walking in the dark in blind faith, but carrying on, walking, thinking, praying, being all the same.
ReplyDeleteApril---sorry I didn't respond sooner. Yes, your words are so true. Walking, thinking, praying, being---all prayer, all holy. Thank you for being here with me ....
DeleteLeslie - loved reading your words today. And I loved taking time to listen to this beautifully rendered song. I had brunch this morning with some dear friends and shared with them that they must become familiar with you and your writing. The Spirit of Food nourished my advent - and acquainted me with some new authors. Great job! I'm thankful that God brought our paths together this year, and look forward to them crossing again! I got the books you recommended, and January holds promise for some set-apart time to write. Love and blessings to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteSusan---isn't Kevin's singing lovely? And SO glad to hear how The Spirit of Food enriched your advent. Indeed, I am so happy to have met you and grateful for the wonderful friendship he has given us already!! God is pleased to give us good gifts---one another!!
ReplyDeleteI pray your New Year is even more full of the love of God!! Leslie
Hi Leslie, I am a distant relative and have so thoroughly enjoyed your emails. You have been a channel of blessing to my soul from the Lord and I just wanted to reach out and let you know that. My mom was Mary Anne Schmidt (daughter of Frank and Lucille Weedon)and moved up to her new home with our Father in March this year. I am not sure of the exact relationship we share but mom and dad visited Kodiak a number of years ago and I wish now I had been able to go with them. Again, thank you for sharing your faith, love and encouragement with these posts. The Lord has given you a unique voice of hope in this darkening world. Love, Dianne Warrington
ReplyDeleteDiane, I so appreciate you writing! And I'm glad to meet you here. So sorry you have lost your mother---but know there is rejoicing as well!! My head is spinning already with a brief attempt to figure out how we're related .... but let's just leave it at this: we're related distantly by blood and marriage, and closely by the blood of Jesus and the marriage supper we'll partake of together! Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me and help me keep this outpost alive. Many blessings in the New Year, Dianne!
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