Just Breathe

 I've been reading.

 And in my reading, I've come across the idea that God is with us through all our trials. I believe this. I want to know it!

 But the counter-thought comes... If God is always with me, why don't I always feel His presence when I'm in the midst of a trial, hardship, struggle or in despair. Why must some people endure such pains, suffering, violations and trauma? Why, if God is there, doesn't He intervene?

 I know the answer to the last question. God has give mankind agency, and He won't deny them that gift, even if they choose to use it to abuse themselves or others. He has also give His Son, so that all who believe that Christ did what He said He would do, and all those who repent and strive to follow His teachings, will be healed from all wounds, all abuses, all pains, all sufferings.

 But I still want to know, why is it that I can't feel His presence and support when I'm struggling?

Then I had this thought today: Perhaps God's presence is like the air we breathe.

 How often do I notice the air that I'm breathing? I notice when I'm too hot or too cold. I notice when it's windy outside, just like I notice when life is making me feel uncomfortable, unhappy or frustrated. But how often do I notice the life sustaining air that I'm breathing? Not often. And yet, it's there every single day. It doesn't leave if I'm struggling or in doubt. It doesn't disappear if I mess up, again. It doesn't vanish if I have a difficult choice to make, or if I can't see the path I'm supposed to take. Just like God doesn't ever leave. At least not If I'm seeking Him. He's always there if I'm inviting Him in. And perhaps like the air I breathe, I can't see, or taste, or smell Him. Rarely do I really hear him. But all the same, He's there, giving me life sustain support. I just have to trust the principle and the process.

 Just because life isn't going smoothly, don't mean that God has left me alone. Just because I"m struggling, doesn't mean He's abandoned me.

 He's as constant as the air I breathe.

All images: Pinterest

The Spice of Life

I love October.

a lot!

It's the best month ever!

But that's not what I originally wanted to post on. I am sitting at the kitchen table in my Airbnb temporary home in Murray, Utah, getting ready to mentor a woman in Bolivia who is learning English. While I'm waiting for our appointment time, I'm sipping on a cozy cup of Yogi Chai Rooibos tea complete with cream and honey, and clearing out old emails. Did I mention how much I love October?

 I just decided to scroll down to my very oldest email in my inbox, and I've found one that I wrote for myself. I thought it would be a delightful share for all to read.

 The Spice of Life Metaphor

 When someone says 'the spice of life', I think of cayenne pepper. I conjure up images of daring activities. Of thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. But I've realized that there is an entirely different way of thinking of 'the spice of life'. The term 'spice' certainly can imply something hot. But it can also mean something flavorful I.e. seasonings!

It would be better phrased "the seasonings of life" Albeit it would take two more syllables, but I think it breath well spent. One seasons their life with interest, activities, and hobbies or she pursues. We all have the mundane. The necessary. The required. Dishes, laundry, vacuuming. Bread winning. Oil changes. Grocery shopping. Dental appointments. Those things count as the carbs and the proteins we need to survive. But it's the 'fun' things we do that make us unique and seasons our lives.

One could live on chicken bread and oatmeal for a very long time. However, without seasonings, and long before malnutrition consumed a person, their tastebuds would revolt!

I season my life with dancing, letter writing, creating pretty and inviting spaces, collecting spoons, laughing, slurpees, thought-provoking conversations, finding ancestors and their old photos, wearing skirts every day, reading...

What do you season your life with?

he spice of life metaphor