A member of our writing group invited the group to her family
cottage on Lake Huron. This was to be a writing-retreat and our host expected us
to produce enough writing mid way through the second day to read to the rest of
the group during the afternoon. Not everyone in our group was able to come, but
those of us who attended worked hard and read at the end of the time.
The recent death of our 18-year-old cat (friend and companion),
several personal health problems plus pressing writing commitments weighted
heavily on my mind. Although still within my deadlines, I knew that peace of
mind was imperative to meet my obligations. As I drove to the lake, my cell
phone thumped several times with calls and texts, causing me to stop on the
side of the road to respond. All of this convinced me that taking a break in
the middle of a busy time is good common sense in order to return to the
waiting work with a fresh mind.
I sat on a bench watching the water in Lake Huron respond to an incoming
storm, I thought how like life this was. We rise to the low-pressure systems in
our every-day life, tumble and stretch in surprising ways to resist or surrender.
To absorb the quiet and stillness of the afternoon sun, listen to the
lapping of waves against the shoreline rocks, and then within the hour
experience the roar and fury of creation as massive waves stand tall, far from
shore, and then rush to the shore to claim the same space only hours later.
Does this not remind me of the clamour and
silence in my spirit, and give me the message that this too shall pass? Soon
the lake settles to gentle waves again, the moonlight washes the millions of
ripples as far as I can see. A new day will come, maybe with another weather
system that disturbs the quiet or contributes to the promise of sun rays and
gentle breezes.
What
is certain is a promise to pause, notice and reflect as a gift worthy of
enjoying and savouring God's goodness enough to move sufficiently back into the
busyness of life.
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2 comments:
Thanks for sharing your refreshing thoughts, Donna. The parallels drawn from your observations of nature while on your retreat are so true to life.
You remind me of the need and benefit of being still / ceasing from busyness and knowing God, and re-centering on Him (something I easily overlook). ~~+~~
Thank you Peter. Yes, isn't it so true? Too often I say, "I don't have time," and yet it is exactly at that time, that I need to stop, be still and listen. Blessings to you.
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