It's one of those nights when I can't sleep for happiness. It's been such a good friends and family week. Last night mom and I went out on the town. Found some incredible deals on books and things at the new Goodwill. Browsed Pat Catans and dreamed about primitive decorating. Topped our evening off with hot fudge (mine) and butterscotch (hers) sundaes from Lem's (the best ice-cream in the county if you ask me). The words that came to mind to describe the evening was: "a blast."

Today Annette and I went to hang out at youth camping and stayed late. Before we went I wasn't sure how the group would feel about us coming to hang out for awhile (I'd had an invitation, but we don't regularly attend youth activities), but they welcomed us with open arms and made us feel right at home. I shouldn't have been surprised. I am reminded of the thought "We are wounded in relationship, but we are also healed in relationship." My heart knows a bit more healing tonight because I felt accepted and loved today. I wonder what opportunities I will have to pass that on.

Tomorrow morning I get to meet with my church for the Sunday morning service, and tomorrow evening will be spent with some more wonderful friends for the evening. Then there's next week . . . well, I could go on and on.

I keep thinking of that verse from one of the Psalms: "They will celebrate your abundant goodness." I wonder what celebrating looks like. In the Old Testament, wasn't it often connected with feasting, singing, and dancing?

Yaaawn. I'm getting sleepy now. Maybe I'll leave the singing, dancing, and feasting for another time.

Good night.

One of the best things about summer, if you ask me, is fresh produce from the garden. I don’t have a garden, and this year my parents don’t either. But I’ve been blessed with other people’s giveaways. My landlords say “Come out anytime and get fresh lettuce,” and they brought an armload of sweet corn to my door the other evening. People at work have been bringing cucumbers and zucchini with a “free” sign on it. I try to restrain myself and give others opportunity, too, but I’m always ready to grab up those crunchy, crispy cucumbers—my favorite garden vegetable.

Last week my dear next-door-neighbor friend said she has some produce from her garden to share with me. It was a treat just knowing I will be getting more fresh garden things to eat, then when I got to her house to pick it up, she had it all fixed up in a handcrafted paper gift bag and tulle ribbon. Made me feel so special, and I think it tells a lot about the way she lives life. Her special touches tell me that life is meant to be full and alive and beautiful. Life is more than what meets the immediate eye. Life is more about what you put into it than what it gives you. Thanks, friend!

 

Addendum to my last post:

God is near, you know. I've made it complicated, but it's so simple. He's near when I'm good and near when I'm bad. He's near when I feel Him and near when I don't. He's near when things are good and when they're complicated and difficult. Believing the truth of His nearness--that He's ALWAYS near--makes life more simple (I don't have to figure out how to "keep Him there" or fear He'll "go away"). I am more peaceful because I know His presence is always there and I can trust Him. It's been a long journey to here, hasn't it, God?

Some of this truth sank in as I listened to and meditated on the song "We are not alone" almost every day for over two weeks. Sung by the SMBI choir, the music, solo, and words are both heartrending and comforting. "We are never alone for God is with us, we are never alone. We are not alone, God is with us, God is with us. . . God will make us strong . . . God is with us, God is with us, We will press on . . . We are never alone. Forever and ever, through all our days. We are not alone. God is with us. God is with us. God is with us now."

God is near because He says He is, not because I finally choose to believe it. But believing it makes all the difference for me.