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 

Comments

[Alisha]

This post was exactly what I needed to hear today!!!! Literally I had goosebumps up and down my arms as I was reading this!
Ok, my metaphor would be a tree. When we went to Louisiana/Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, there was this one tree. It had survived two hurricanes, and still it stood there, unmoveable.
I've been shaken by a lot of unseen events lately, with my sickness and losing all these people I thought would stay in my life. That's shaken me a whole lot.

[Amy]

I have two no.1 is like an anchor holding you to gods word and what is right even though storms come it still stands firm.
The other isnt really what you were lookin for but it is sort of like a flower in bud everybody has the inner beauty but you have to decide to open up and shine for God🌷🌸

[Therese]

My metaphor is a of this 9/11 memorial we have in my town. Its a fountain but on top it has this torch and the flame is always lit. Even in the rain and wind no matter what it says burning, even though it flickers it never goes out. I want my relationship with God, my faith, to be like that blaze. An unrelenting consuming fire. A time that shook me the most was my parents' separation. I wasn't ready for that blow, but even though I wish things were different, easier, better, I know my relationship with God was strengthened. Girls if you could pray for me, I've been so confused lately. Things have been difficult around here lately. My mom really needs to find a job and we've all been having some health issues and just everything else is all stressing me. I don't really have many people to talk to that would understand this stuff. My friends are always busy, I love them but (and maybe I'm being selfish in saying this) I really wish they would call me once in a while, I always have to be the one to contact them. And I feel like I'm losing you girls because my sister is going to be turning 13 in July and I know she's going to want to come on here and I won't be able to talk to you girls about this stuff anymore with her here. The only person I can talk to is Brian, the guy I mentioned before. He surprised me my being very understanding and I don't know, he gets me. Unfortunately my mom doesn't really like me talking to him. She doesn't understand that we are just friends! So the more I text Brian the more she seems annoyed the more I need to vent to him! And, I feel like such a horrible Christian saying this but I guess I've been having doubts about God. I just don't feel Him near lately and I want to. Anyway, sorry that was such a beastly long comment of my jumbled up thoughts!

Love you girls and thanks Mrs. Rue! ;)

[Melody]

I'm so glad you're back Mrs. Rue! I'll think about my metaphor later, but I definitely know my answer to the second question. My most recent "unexpected dismount" was when I didn't get into the dance company I was positive I would get into. I was just heartbroken because I hadn't seriously considered not getting in, I stressed about making a decision, but I didn't think for a moment I wouldn't get in. It was really hard for me. Anyway, I'll think about my metaphor a bit later. Life is really busy for me right now becuase I have graduation on Saturday, a dance performance a few hours later that same day, a dance recital next Sunday, VBS (which I'm in charge of) in 3 weeks, and rehearsals and meetings for all of that. So, I'm kind of stressed. Prayers would be appreciated that everything works out well :) Love you girls!

[kate s]

So glad you're back.
I can answer the 2nd really easily.
So a year and a half ago, we were still living in London. Someone from my dad's work (he worked at a church) said that they messed up the visa paperwork and we had to leave the country and we had 4 days to leave. Our world was shaken... we didn't know how long... I remember sobbing and holding our dog- we couldn't take him with us. We stayed in a little room (all four of us!) in my aunt's house for 3 months. No car. No nothing. We each had 1 suitcase. My dad got really really really sick and was on a couch for half the time, just sick (we had no health insurance in the states). We only were able to go back because my dad found a new job in USA and we went back to pack a couple things/ give everything else away. That time was the worst time of my life...
God was there... I still don't see that he was working in it, but I believe the was there and helped us. This time really taught me to see how much God gives me, even in terrible times. I see his gifts everywhere now...
So maybe my metaphor is a gift giver? But I'm not sure... I want to think more about it. :)

[Bethan]

Really glad you're back (:!
My metaphor is a tree planted next to a river, but unlike Alisha's image, in my mind I am the tree and God is the river... as long as I keep firm and rooted in Him and He keeps quenching my thirst with His water, then I can remain strong for whatever comes my way (:

A shaking event for me was that ten days ago me and my boyfriend decided to break up... actually, the whole getting-together thing was quite a surprise in itself. We've known each other since we were two but actually live in separate countries, and for seven months we tried to make the long-distance relationship work but decided to call it a day. It was hard and confusing because we do get along really well and everything, and at points I really honestly felt that he was 'the one'. I feel totally peaceful about breaking up BUT it has kinda messed my whole life up, I feel like I'm being teared apart and pieced back together again... I know I'll be a stronger gal at the end of it all but it's a well hard, confusing process...

Therese, that sounds a lot like my life at the moment. I especially really get what you mean about the friends thing... praying for you, sister (:

xxx

[Melody]

So I was thinking about my God-core last night and it came to me pretty quickly. I envision God inside me as a bright Sun. He gives me life and hope and is always, always there. I don't realize it sometimes when clouds roll in or darkness comes, but God is there ready to outshine anything as soon as I stop trying to do it myself and just allow it to happen. My God-core isn't so rock solid, but it stays the same forever even while it moves and grows. Even if the sun seems to be setting, its really just rising on something else.

[~~~LAURAJANE~~~ P.S. I'm new here!!]

You are back! Yay!

I imagine my God core as a big stainless steel heart. :)

My change for the better was on Memorial Day. I had zone competitions for my IEA horse competitions. I thought that I did good. I was announced in 5th place. Normally only the top 4 move on to Nationals, but our zone had won another slot. So, i am going to Oklahoma City at the end of June. And, since the team rider in my class can't go, I get to show for her! It really boosted my confidence. :)

ilylwsbwa
laura

[*Rachel*]

Hey girlies! Before I even get started, I want to let you all know how amazing all of these metaphors are... seriously!! They make my fingers itch for my journal and pen or a camera to capture all of them forever! :) And I'm praying for every single one of you... from boyfriends to having and overfilled plate of responsibilities and everything in between.
And Therese, just to let you know, you are NOT a bad Christian for having some doubts about God! It's just part of our fallen nature, and I admit that I am in the same spot right now, and it is *rough*. But what I'm trying to remember is that because of the grace of God, He'll never ever quit on us. Just keep searching for answers from His Truth whenever you're doubting, and remember that He never ever quits pursuing you. :)
Okay, my analogy for my God-core is for sure a fire. The spark was planted in me at birth during my Baptism, and the flames were fanned when I was Confirmed. Some days, it feels hot and bright and burning with leaping tongues of fire that just can't be ignored, and other days it's more like low and slow-burning coals. But no matter what, even though I may feel numbed by the outside cold or have just grown too used to its company to notice it much, the fire still burns on within me, a steady presence of heat and light that cannot be quenched and refuses to fully fizzle out.
One recent unexpected dismount began to unravel last year, around this time actually. It was tryout week for soccer, and I had every intention of returning to my beloved team. However, things started to fall apart, and to make a long story short, I ended up on a completely different team that I hadn't even thought of trying out for originally. I didn't know any of the girls except one, and they'd all been together for 5 years already. We were really successful - we actually won the state tournament and have regionals in a few weeks! It has been tough for me, though - I'm not getting a whole lot of playing time, and for a while I was one of the weaker girls. Things are starting to look up a bit, but I'm still not quite sure what God's orchestrating here, so I'll keep you girls posted on if it ends up a knock-down course-changer or a welcome surprise.
Can't wait to read more of all this beauty! You girls are the best :)

Love and Blessings,
*Rachel*

[Crystal]

Alisha, Amy, Therese, Melody, KateS, Bethan and Laurajane....

Today I just want to say that I have been praying for each of you today. You've weathered/are weathering some tough situations, and I pray that God's grace will be evident to you.

You're special, each of you.