IN REAL LIFE

When you don't see it coming . . .

Hello, Ladies!Wow . . . so much life has happened since I last posted. Bless you for carrying on -- but, then, that is so you. Your maturity continues to amaze me.

Things are getting back to normal (whatever that is!). My husband is doing great -- just one more week of restrictions and he'll get a clean bill of health. The book I was working on is done. All kinds of other things have been resolved. At last, at last, I can get back to the work that means the most. More of living the life that truly is life.

Of course, I learned tons during my husband's illness and all the  complications to the daily round that came with that. I could go on for days (and you know I can do that!), but I've reduced all the tiny lessons down into one important one I want to share with you, that I think might help us in our journey to living the God-life. It's not going to sound all that profound but it's bigger than we think. Here it is:

You never know when you wake up in the morning what the day is going to bring, and the only way to be prepared for whatever comes is to stay close to God all the time.

 Yeah, I know, we always say we need to be in constant prayer, be always aware of God's presence, etc. etc. We also always say that's pretty much impossible because life itself gets in the way. I get that.

But what I know now is that this is a CONCRETE reason to keep that  conversation with God going. I recently wrote a book for adults called Unexpected Dismounts, the second in a trilogy about a woman who feels God nudge her to, "Go buy a Harley." She does, and then she continues to heed the nudges and obey, which takes her down some pretty rough paths. And along the way, there are many, as the Harley riders say, unexpected dismounts: falls and spills and crashes-and-burns she didn't see coming. I wrote about that, but until it happened to me in a close-to-home way, I'm not sure I believed it myself.

Now I do.

And I want us to spend some time looking at it more deeply in our lives. Not so we're always waiting for the other shoe to drop -- always expecting the worst -- continually looking over our shoulders for what might be gaining on us. After all, some of those unexpected things can be delightful surprises.

No, this is more about having a solid core so that we're (a) not shattered by the things that blindside us and (b) able to fully embrace the amazing out-of-the-blue stuff we didn't even dream of. 

So let's start off doing two things, eh? (I'm still feeling the pleasant after-effects of my trip to Canada!) If you want to post, you can share your thoughts about one or both. And of course you can always email me privately.

    (1) Imagine a solid God-core within yourself  and give it a metaphor. Mine, which came to me very vividly during my last week at the Academy, is a pillar. How cool was it to go to "The Abbey" in Quebec when I was visiting our Crystal and find exact replicas of the pillar I envision at my core? What's your metaphor for the very real presence of God in your soul?

    (2) Think of a time when you were shaken by an unexpected event -- a devastating knock-down, or something that shoved you off course, or an event that changed everything for the better. You can, of course, comment on more than one. 

Then we'll take it from there. I'm thinking we're going to come up with a gallery of amazing images, and in fact if you are artistic or you have a photo that embodies that image, please attach it to an email to me at nnrue@att.net and I will share it with the group. I think we're onto something, eh?

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue 

Why I've been absent . . .

Good morning, Ladies.

 

I want to apologize for being "absent" this last week. My husband is in the hospital with a very bad infection so he has been getting all my attention. He's had surgery and is getting better now, so I should be back with you next week. I'm missing you!

Of course, we would love, love, love to have your prayers. You are a blessing.

 

Nancy Rue

Live from Ottawa

Hello ladies!  We promised you that we would blog together, and HERE WE ARE!  We have spent the last two days saying to each other "this is exactly the way we knew it would be if we got to be together".   You know how you always say, when we have a blog party, "wouldn't it be great if we could do it in person?"  and then you say "we wouldn't be as honest with each other if we could see each other face to face..."

Well, the answer is "it would be great" (because it is) and we would be honest (because we are).  It's amazing how all the hours that we have spent emailing each other has formed a friendship that is a forever thing.  

[Don't you dare write um.  HaHa  (Nancy is dictating, Crystal is typing).  Um...]

Here's the deal:  whenever you are honest and authentic and transparent with someone you trust, there is a foundation for a real relationship.  You've done that here on the blog.  It's not like Facebook, it's not even like a chat room, it's definitely not like texting.  Here on this blog you let down the shields and you get real. And so, if we all did get together (at Crystal's house) and she was cooking the incredible meals for all of us that she has cooked for me (are you serious, cornish game hens, cheese trays, homemade bread, and lattes to die for) and we were all listening to incredible music and sharing poetry and discussing our families and friends and our futures, we would all love each other even more than we already do.  

The essential ingredient is a common love for God.  

Okay, now what do you want to say, Crystal? 

Let's see...it helps to be transparent and real with someone who is equally transparent and real.  It's difficult when that trust is not reciprocated, and that is not an easy thing.  It is, however, one of the most precious and worthwhile gifts to find.  I can't believe how quickly the last two days have gone, how much we have in common, how easily we understand each other...but that all started by taking the time to form a relationship beyond the 140 characters that Twitter allows, and beyond liking someone's status on Facebook. Relationships that are worthwhile, including relationships with God, take a bit of effort and time, but when we are able to give it, the gift is priceless. 

Nancy's turn:  We have been talking here about life that truly is life.  Authentic relationships are at the top of the list. So, in the next few days before I get home, be real with each other, appreciate each other, eat chocolate.  

We both love you.

Nancy and Crystal 

Crystal on the Life That Truly Is Life

This is Crystal.  Nancy asked me if I wanted to do a guest post while she was gone, and I promised to think about it.  There are so many things that I could write about, and after starting a couple of different posts,  I decided that I would share with you my thoughts on the verse that Nancy quoted on her last post...from Timothy 6:19, "Take hold of the life that really is life".  It's a fantastic verse, and it has occupied my thoughts for the past few days.  As I have read some of your blog posts,  I know it's done the same for many of you as well. 

 

In many respects, this has been a challenging year for me.   It has been necessary for me to spend much of my time at home, time in which I've had to make peace with the phrase "Crystal, you need to rest".    Resting of course, doesn't always mean sleeping, so I have a lot of time to figure out what my life really is.  Isn't it funny--I turned 50 in February, and here I am, still trying to figure that out? 

 

Now, before you get discouraged by doing the math between your age and mine, you should realize that what matters most to me in my life has changed considerably through the years.  This is perfectly normal.  When I was younger, the most important thing for me was to hang with my friends.  Then it was to save enough money from my job in the county library so that I could go away to college.   Later it was to be the best teacher I could be for my flute students.  After ten years learning how to be creative in a non-profit organization,  I had a very good second career working for the Canadian government.  Now...I rest. 

 

So, am I taking hold of my life?   I think so.  While  have to admit that my it isn't what I thought it was going to be, my life is so very good.   I won't kid you, there have been some tough days.  But because of the resting, there are some delightful, intimate moments with God--moments I may have missed by being too busy before.   I have been given time to listen, and I am, I think, more settled in my soul than ever before.

 

In some respects, "taking hold" means "taking time".  My cat has helped with all of this, actually.  Her name is Lynxy, and I have had so many hours of being able to watch her. I think God designed that for me, and here is what I've learned from her, so far:

 

• Take time to sleep:  it is amazing how much rest and sleep can sort out the things that are muddled.  Lynxy spends two thirds of her day doing this.      
• Take time to be fascinated:  every day, Lynxy spends time looking out the window, being fascinated by the things that God brings to her.  She watches when the birds congregate at the feeder, or when Wallace the chipmunk comes dashing across the patio (we've not yet figured out where he is running to).  She enjoys it when I open the screen door to the kitchen, and a breeze envelops her perch on the chair.  Because she spends time being aware of what is outside her immediate surroundings, I have started to as well.  What I learned this year?  That robins migrate in flocks.  Why didn't I know that before?  There were 17 robins in my tree in February and  I'd never noticed them congregate before. 
• Take time to be ridiculous:  often Lynxy will start into this crazy run-around-the-house-up-and-over-everything kind of routine for no reason at all. Then, just as quickly she plops down on her blanket and starts to purr.  Whatever it is that bothered her got worked out in two minutes of being ridiculous.  Sometimes, that's all it takes. 
• Take time to protect your heart:  if I get too close to Lynxy's belly, she will do this donut roll kind of thing so that this most sensitive part is protected.  I've been thinking that I do that too, and it's okay...because just like Lynxy, there are times when I trust someone enough to let them get closer.  Trusting that feeling deep down inside you is important. 
• Take time to walk away:  sometimes my cat and I get into boxing matches.  Sometimes I'll tease her because, well, I'm bored.  These are the times when Lynxy will stand up, look at me disapprovingly and walk away.  Basically, she's saying to me "I don't have to go to every fight I've been invited to". My friend said that to me once...and it's kept me from engaging in useless arguments many times since. 
• Take time to retreat:  this is different than walking away.  Lynxy has a blanket, and every day, she finds a way to crawl in between the layers.  This is her haven.  This is where she feels safe.  Sometimes she sleeps, it's true, but often she is just looking out on the world, and I'm convinced she is thinking things through.  She finds a way to get there every day.   You've heard Nancy talking about how journalling does this for her.  I retreat to my piano, and often to cooking.  It's different for everyone, but it's very important to find your haven and spend some time there. 
• Take time to wash:  there is a book called Jennie by Paul Gallico (it has another title, The Awakening). This is one of my favourite books, although it can be difficult to find because it is out of print (try abebooks.com if you are interested).  If you are a cat lover, this is a book for you because the observations about cat behaviour are fantastic.  In the story, a cat named Jennie teaches a little boy how to become a cat.  One of the pieces of advice she gives him is,  "When in doubt, wash".  Cats who are embarrassed, or  are losing a tussle, or are uncertain,  will often sit up and demurely wash their faces. Then they take action.  I think of this often, and when I'm feeling stressed sometimes I'll say to myself "when in doubt, wash".  It will at least make me take a moment to breathe.  

 

We all have times when we want to change the world and it is hard sometimes to feel that we are accomplishing anything at all.  This year, with Lynxy's help, I am learning that sometimes the small things ARE the big things.  

 Your friend,

Crystal

Off Again!

Morning, Ladies. I'm outa here again today, this time to Woodstock, Ontario, Canada to do two days of school visits and a mother/tween daughter event. Then I get to spend three days with our very own Crystal in Ottawa. It's going to be an amazing trip, and the only down side is that I'll be away from you again. But you won't be forgotten. Tomorrow you'll get a guest post from Crystal herself, and next week when I'm at her house, we're going to post together -- how cool is that? And of course along the way I'll be collecting more thoughts and ideas to share with you. In the meantime, keep doing this awesome thing that you're doing as evidenced in your comments since yesterday. Keep supporting each other. Keep praying -- and in fact, I could use some of that myself as I travel in planes, trains and automobiles. Wasn't that a movie title? 

 

I love you all!

 

In God for the world,

Nancy Rue