reaping what others have sown

I am really enjoying the seasons here - yes, even the winter with its almost 60 inches of snow... which will come again soon enough, I'm sure.

Throughout the spring and even into early summer, I have enjoyed spending time on the back deck of the house we're renting. So restful enjoying the birds feeding only a few feet away, enjoying the breeze and cool temps. If I sit quietly enough, the chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits will come close to feed on what the birds spill out of the feeder. Fabulous.

It has been fun watching the growth in the plant beds. Bulbs sprouting, shrubs and trees blooming - all of which were planted and tended by people long before we came.  It's been exciting to see what will appear next, not knowing what will grow and bloom - reaping the sowing that others have done. Isn't that the way of life - always reaping what others have, in some fashion, sown... but we like to think we've done it. Always in control, always on our own - dependent on no one, society says, is proof of your worth... What an illusion. We are inter-dependent, whether we see it or not, whether we know it or not... Ah, but how much more exciting that makes living.

Blogging again...

It's been more than an year since I've written a post for this blog. In that time I have transitioned from ministry with a congregation in Florida to a congregation in Iowa. (Yes, Iowa!)

To be frank, my blogging ended when the primary impetus of my spiritual growth and struggles came through the myriad parts of the process of discerning God's call to be in ministry in a new place. I found it impossible to set all that aside in my writing for this space - to honor what was happening with me, internally and externally, while at the same time being faithful/honest in my public writing knowing that members of my congregation read my posts. ... So I stopped writing publicly.

We, my husband and I, have been in Iowa for 10 months now - and love it, which I will share more about later. We are relatively settled in. And I'm feeling the call to write again in this space. Thank you, to those of you who have politely reminded me that "it's been a while" since I've written. :)

I look forward to continuing the journey with you, and pray that my writing will be an encouragement to you, just as your companionship, reading and comments are to me.

Many blessings.