Lately I’ve been finding myself feeling like fire again.
That old chest-torch is igniting things that are old, and reaching things that are new, and holding things that are lasting.
I’ve had several moments as of late where I have had to absolutely stop right in my tracks and say out loud…
“God, you’re real. You’re really real. You’re real, after all.”
And the hair stands up on the back of my neck – and I get goosies all over my body – and my eyes get wide and stunned – and I’m confounded.
And then, I’m lit again.
What’s lovely is, He isn’t just into lighting things. He’s also into lifting them.
Psalm 3 tells us that God is the lifter of our heads. He is the One who is willing to come and grab our chins and cup our faces and pull our gaze upwards to what’s higher and better.
Whether we’ve been gazing at our navels or simply staring at the ground – He is the head-lifting Lord.
Just go right ahead today and let Him be.
Yesterday the balls of my feet mingled happy with the sand on sacred beaches after too long of a hiatus. We arrived seaside and went straight to the water and I walked the shore alone, with God. And dreamt up a book of fiction, a screenplay, and an essay.
There’s some kind of gold that sits on shores, I’m sure of it. Jesus was privy to coastal strands so why wouldn’t we be? If we’re made in the image of a Creator who hung around the beaches He created, how can we not be juiced with a creative flow when we arrive seaside?
It only seems normal and natural and right to me.
Words have been washing up on the shoreline for over a day now and I just want to stay right here for a while to capture and catapult them.
Because isn’t that what writers do? We have an ear to the heavens and an eye for the supernatural and we grab and tuck what we can, and then blow it out all over the place like a child with a dandelion.
It’s true that God can spur things on any old place, but I’m glad that He seems to particularly love moving mightily in the hearts of creatives right here on the edge of land and sea.
After all, He’s been “hovering over the face of the waters” since the beginning. And I know that He still is.
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Speaking of all this, something’s been on my mind since arriving that feels good to share here now. For the first 13 years of our marriage we didn’t go on a real family vacation. My kids didn’t see the beach until we moved to Houston and visited the gulf waters nearby. We had zero memories of sharing life together in the names of rest and relaxation and getaway. It was never responsibly in the budget or on the calendar before, so we didn’t feel right about partaking. We only do it now because of the extremely generous offerings of precious friends who encourage us to use their beach home for a week each summer, and we have learned about the importance of rest. If you’re feeling bitter about all the other people getting to go, do, enjoy, and be on the fancied beaches each year – I get you. Perhaps your ocean rest is coming soon.
And one more thing – all those perfectly coifed family pictures you see by the sea rolling around all over the social sites? All those smiles and beach reads and umbrella drinks and sand castles? They’re real and wonderful. But family vacations, especially if they include multiple kids, can be wrought with frustration and frenzy just like home can. Don’t be fooled into thinking everything is peachy with people. Most of the time it isn’t.
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I’m currently sitting on the back deck overlooking a musical marsh. It sings with the sounds of crabs and crickets and all manner of insects I can’t identify. Birds and deer and gators are here to keep us company, too. My husband whisked the rest of the family away for a bit so that I could tap out a post for you. Also so that I might stay sane and full while in constant company with my people for a week. He knows me and loves me anyway, and has been trying so hard lately to make a way for me to thrive. I note it and I feel grateful.
And with a frenzy, they’re back. Mama is on duty again. Time to close the computer and be present once more.
May your week be filled with long prayed for provisions, hope, and rest friends. Hugs all around.
Be still and Know that I am GOD = Rest
Yes! God is the lifter of our heads because he has first bowed his head for us. Amen to Mama Jan’s comment as well. So true! Thank you for your beautiful words, Katie! So glad that you can pause to breathe deep, feel the breeze, listen to the roar of the ocean, soak in some sun, and collect thoughts while vacationing with family! Enjoy!❤️
Write that Book, Screenplay and Essay Darlin!!
And Goosies is funny!
Love, Mama