It’s steadily raining this morning, making today the start of a third wet week. Puddles are everywhere, and the raindrops make perfect circles as they land. The weather has turned cold, and the rain is even colder. So I was drawn to this photo taken by my friend Michael of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Michael rose early to take this photo, of the new dawn over calm water. The perfect blue sky seems a distant memory, like warm, summer days. So much can change so quickly. Yesterday my father would have celebrated his 93rd birthday. He passed away almost three years ago, in our home. In the days after Daddy passed away, I found it difficult to adjust. As his primary caregiver, I had become accustomed to listening for the slightest sound, to reacting without thinking. Sometimes I wonder if I simply sorted things out without really waking up. The only experience comparable to those last days would be caring for a newborn, with exuberant joy replaced by aching sorrow. Yet there were many mornings when my chaotic schedule allowed me to see the early dawn. Perhaps the seeds of these reflections were sown in that quiet, in between time. My heart was nourished by awe inspiring beauty in the midst of pain and sorrow. Every day, even the saddest of days, is full of possibilities and promises. Take time today to look beyond what is right in front of you, to allow a simple wonder to draw you in. If the scene is too dreary or depressing, consider looking through photos of a recent trip or call and chat with a close friend. And remember to drink in whatever this day offers, because so much can change so quickly. Photo by Michael Granche
Reflecting on Caregiving….
03 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: awe, beauty, blessings, caregiving, commitment, grief, love, Michael Granche
Reflecting on Eternity….
28 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: awe, beauty, blessings, Carole Buckwalter, faith, letting go, prayer
Rain has been pouring down for twelve days start. While I’m less than thrilled, the plants absolutely love it. So I was drawn to this photo of a Japanese princess flower, taken by my friend Carole. I love the vibrant color, and the drops of moisture caught in the petals. This striking flower grows on a vine-like evergreen. Even when the flowers are not in bloom, you are treated to beautiful foliage. Carole took a lot of time and care to take this photo. She had to let go of everything else but that moment, and immerse herself in her quest. The flower drew her in, and the rest of the world and time as we know it melted away. Some scholars call eternity the simultaneous now, meaning that God is not governed by the arrow of time. It’s as if the Author of Creation lives in a vast mansion, with each room representing a moment in human history. So eternity intersects with our human condition in the here and now. Perhaps the cross is a symbol of this intersection, with the horizontal portion representing the human condition of linear time, and the vertical portion representing the eternal, simultaneous now. When we let go of the past and stop fretting about the future, we empty our souls before the Holy of Holies. We leave behind the arrow of time and briefly enter into eternity. We have all experienced such breathtaking moments, when we are overwhelmed by emotion or awed by incomprehensible beauty. Take time today to let random beauty or kindness draw you in. Linger in that moment and the eternal now, emptying yourself to everything but that experience. Pause to cultivate a breathtaking moment, and transform your daily routine into an eternal, vibrant blessing. Photo by Carole Buckwalter © 2011
Reflecting on Fog….
22 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: blessings, faith, love, mystery, prayer, Sarah Gulick, truth
As one rainy day follows another, our morning fog rivals the fog we met in the English countryside. So I was drawn to this photo taken by my friend Sarah in the Amazon. I love how the tree in the foreground stands out, so distinct in contrast to the misty scenery in the background. I can imagine certain sounds being muffled, while other sounds are amplified or distorted. The boat seems so inviting, offering a chance to float aimlessly on calm waters. Fog offers an invitation to turn inward, to let go of the long view and soak in the here and now. My grandmother used to say that fog was a blanket God used to cover a corner of the world. It’s almost as if God is inviting you to pull up the covers and hit the snooze button one more time. Yet there is such temptation to rush out of the house and through our day. We speed up only to be caught at the next red light along with everyone else, or cut off someone to get a parking space a few feet closer to the door. We want everything to add up just so, for all the facts to line up and make perfect sense. The true essence of life defies such simple bookkeeping. Our hearts are regulated by a more subtle and complex arithmetic. The greater truth lies in embracing the mystery, and accepting that our view is limited, and often obscured. Only the Most High sees all and understands all. Take time today to turn inward, to lead with your heart rather than with your mind. Allow the mystery of life to enfold you, and thank God for your blessings, for those who fill your life with love. Feel free to pour out your heart in prayer, knowing that the fog that surrounds you is simply a wonderful, mysterious blanket of God’s love. Photo by Sarah Gulick
Reflecting on Food….
31 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: blessings, commitment, discipline, family, farm, FarmerGirls.net, food, local, Sarah Gulick
The temperatures dropped into the 50’s last night, making for good sleeping weather. The frogs and insects are serenading us in the early evening, their last songs before the cold weather sets in. Summer is not all that is ending here in Fauquier County. So I was drawn to this photo of chickens at a family owned farm taken by my friend Sarah. These chickens don’t have much in common with the Dolly Parton variety often sold in the supermarkets. No growth hormones or strange chemical cocktails for these chickens, just their feed and some scraps of vegetables. I like knowing the farmers that grow our food. Our family eats locally grown food as much as possible. We believe that buying local and eating local is one of the best ways to be good stewards of creation. We support our neighbors and friends, and reduce the distance from the farm to our dinner plates. Folks talk about conservation, and neglect to consider how much fuel goes into their food. Local produce in the grocery stores sometimes means grown in the US, not grown in your county or state. Even the farmer’s markets include trucked in produce to meet the expectation that any and all fruits and vegetables should be available year round. So I am sad to say that a farmer’s cooperative that greatly aided in our quest to eat locally is closing. Farmergirls.net offered a way to easily purchase food from a variety of local farms and kitchens. This service was web based, with vendors posting what was available each week and customers using an online shopping cart to choose their purchases. Our local food was then sorted and bagged for pick up. Farmergirls.net sought to connect people with local farms, and they have succeeded in doing just that. Many customers now deal with the farms directly, rather than going through the cooperative. Many families now purchase more than their produce locally, buying meat, eggs and dairy from local farms. But not all of us have time to stop at half a dozen locations, and Farmergirls.net will be sorely missed. Take time today to consider where your food was produced, and what went into it. Learn more about buying local and eating local. Start small, perhaps with apples this autumn, or some local honey. If you prefer to eat out, learn more about your favorite restaurant. Support your local farms and learn what a difference it makes to your dinner table. Photo by Sarah Gulick
Reflecting on Resilience….
25 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: awe, beauty, blessings, challenge, David Buckwalter, dragonfly, resilience, resurrection, trust, wonder
The clouds are darkening and we expect thunderstorms later in the day. Folks are checking for damage from Tuesday’s earthquake here in Virginia, still marveling at the unexpected. Older buildings didn’t fare as well, with the downtown district in Culpeper suffering the most impact. The newer buildings held up, stronger and more resilient than our historic homes. So I was drawn to this photo of a dragonfly, taken by my friend David. This insect looks more like a jewel than a living creature. The light plays off his wings and the surface beneath him. This photo captures the feelings often evoked by a dragonfly, a sense of mystery and rare beauty. I have encountered dragonflies in the oddest places. Often when I am stuck in traffic, one will land on my windshield. Just when I am at my boiling point, fed up with being stuck, I am reminded there is so much more to life than my current frustration. To see such beauty in such an unexpected place is a great gift. While Christians favor the butterfly a symbol of resurrection, many cultures prefer the dragonfly. This insect is considered a symbol of rebirth and triumph over adversity. Their eggs can live up to six years before hatching. Dragonflies winter over, choosing which season to hatch. The mature dragonfly only exists for about two months. The elegant and illusive beauty we cherish is also fleeting. Yet like a prima ballerina, this insect is both beautiful and powerful. Dragonflies gracefully move in any direction, with wings 30 times more powerful than any other insect. Yet what I find most incredible is their eyes, which allow them to see in all directions. Take time today to look beyond your current frustrations. Drink in the unexpected beauty of your surroundings, looking past the cracks in your life and soul. Consider ways to be more resilient, to triumph over adversity. Trust that God is in control, even when life seems out of control, and allow the healing power of awe and wonder to transform your view of world. Photo by David Buckwalter
Reflecting on Companions….
08 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: blessings, challenge, companion, faith, journey, Noah's ark, Rod Mayo, trust, wonder
Thunder storms cycled through the area this weekend, with the weather alternating between drenching rain and sunny skies. The rain poured down so fast and furious I found myself thinking of Noah’s ark. So I was drawn to this photo of two turkeys, taken by a friend of a friend, Rod Mayo. I am always astonished by how farming has altered the natural shape of the turkey, and how quickly wild turkeys can move. I imagine the animals arriving at the ark, two by two, to join Noah. I remember how I loved this Bible story as a child. The paired animals offer a comforting image, an understanding that we are never alone. Each animal had a companion to join him on this journey into the unknown. And Noah looked a lot like God, with the long beard and flowing robes. It was the first step toward understanding the Christian concept of abiding love. Yet this comforting image was offered along with fearful destruction. So I ponder this story now at a different level. The ground may have been just as parched as in this photo, because before the ark there was no rain, only dew in the mornings. How long would it have to pour rain before the whole earth was flooded? How would you react to Noah’s warnings that water would fall from the sky, so much water that the entire earth would be flooded? There must have been many warnings, many opportunities to join Noah on the ark. Yet other than his family, only the creatures of the earth entered the ark. Take time today to consider what it means to walk with one another on this journey of life. Open your hearts and minds to what others have to say. Deeply listen to their point of view, and seek to learn a greater truth than you thought possible. And always remember, that even in the midst of horrible destruction, you are never alone. Photo by Rod Mayo
Reflecting on Gardens….
05 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: beauty, birds and bees, blessings, faith, flower beds, garden bench, garden of gethsemane, Joseph Syzdek, last night on earth, prayer. garden
Today is an England sort of day. It’s raining, but not pouring, and the skies are overcast and grey. So I was drawn to this photo of a beautiful garden on Block Island, taken by my friend Joseph on his honeymoon. The roses are meticulously pruned and really stand out from the surrounding greenery. You can see roses growing close to the ground, shaped as topiaries, and even cascading over a well worn bench. Lavender is planted along the path, adding to the fragrance of the roses. How can anyone resist wanting to stop and pause for at least a few moments? I have never quite understood why the English have gardens and Americans only have landscaping. Our horticultural efforts seldom venture beyond the perimeter of our homes. We seem to create flower beds, or groupings that attract birds and bees, yet stop short of creating a place that attracts people. Perhaps we are too transitory, uncertain of how long we will remain in our current homes, to invest in the time and energy it takes to create, let alone maintain a garden. Yet we cannot underestimate it’s value. Christ chose to spend his last night on earth in a garden, fervently praying and preparing himself for the ultimate sacrifice. When Christ most needed comfort and a place to retreat, He chose the Garden of Gethsemane. Take time today to seek out a garden bench, to pause and pray. Reflect on your current situation and relationships, and allow God to mold and form you for what lies ahead. Take comfort in the beauty that surrounds you, and trust the same God that created this beauty with all your heart. Photo by Joseph Syzdek
Reflecting on Needs….
04 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: beauty, blessings, David R Buckwalter, faith, prayer, trust
Storms passed through the past few nights, finally offering more than a brief shower. We still need more rain, as the crops are beginning to wither. The corn fields are parched and many of our oak trees, already suffering from the past winter, are none too happy. So I’m not surprised this nest of baby birds was found in an unlikely place. My friend David stumbled upon these tiny babies working on his farm. Their immediate response was to open their mouths to be fed. I was struck by the bright yellow on the inside of their mouths, in contrast to the dark down of their bodies. It seems these baby birds are all mouth and stomach. Their wings are tiny, only growing after the rest of their bodies mature. Perhaps prayer is like these baby birds. We often pray for what we want, yet receive what we need. We often confuse wants with needs, not understanding how one differs from the other. We plead for luxuries at the expense of necessities. Christ taught us to be like a little child before the Lord. A child asks for the basics, for food when hungry, a drink when thirsty, a place to rest when tired. A child prefers simple food, sticking to the basics. By simplymeeting those needs, the child grows with enough left over for activities that are important to them. Like the baby birds, first the body matures, and then the wings develop. With a strong body, the child, like the bird, can grow strong wings and fly away, to soar on high. Take time today to come before the Lord like a little child, to consider what you truly need as compared to what you want. Give thanks for the many blessings that have poured down on you, and seek out ways to help others who are less fortunate. And most importantly accept the answers to your prayers, knowing that like these tiny birds, God always provides what we truly need. Photo by David R Buckwalter
Reflecting on Creation….
28 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: beauty, blessings, creation, David Buckwalter, faith, leap of faith, wonder
We are enjoying a bit of a break from the heat, with a nice breeze today. What we really need is rain. We have had a very dry summer in Virginia. So I was drawn to this photo of a dew drenched bee, taken by my friend David in the wee hours of the morning. David and his wife Carole spent all night taking photos, resulting in many truly amazing pictures. Yet the early morning photos caught my eye. Take a good look at this bee, at the intricate detail of his body and wings. The bee almost appears furry, with delicate wings that seem at odds with his sturdy body. Each part is uniquely formed to serve its function, as this tiny bee and the rest of his hive travel from flower to flower collecting nectar. While we continue to sleep, the world around us is vibrantly alive. We rest in the assurance that all shall be well with the world when we rise, that the earth continues to rotate on its axis, that the atmosphere we take in breathe by breathe is still in place, secured by gravity and a hundred other intricate and interwoven mechanisms of nature. All these things, both large and small, work together for our good. Our all powerful God, whether called Yahweh, or Allah, or whatever name you chose, offers us life, one breathe at a time. This sovereign God not only creates the largest of things, but also deigned to create this bee, one of the smallest of things. If our all powerful God can take the time to wantonly lavish such detail on a creature as small as a bee, what more can God do for each of us? Take time today to consider the sovereignty of God, and let go of what burdens your heart. Make room for the author of creation to craft a solution to what seems impossible, trusting that whatever you ask is but a little thing for the same Lord that conquered sin and death on the cross. Photo by David Buckwalter
Reflecting on Hospitality….
27 Jul 2011 1 Comment
in Reflecting on...... Tags: Amazon, blessings, community, feet, hospitality, Sarah Gulick
We seem to have a bit of a break from the heat, so I am motivated to get things done today. Sometimes the smallest irritations can become obstacles, an ache here, a pain there. So I was drawn to this photo of a woman in the Amazon, taken by my friend Sarah. These toes belong to the woman that prepared lunch for Sarah and her group at they traveled along the river. The woman made everything from scratch on a low platform. She worked in a crouched position that reminded me of one of the yoga poses I strive to attain. Yet it was this photo that caught my eye. Look at her feet. No two toes seem to face the same direction. Her feet may ache, but those aches and pains don’t prevent her from making meals. She continues to offer herself to others, making delicious and nutritious food for travelers that come her way. What she offers is as much about hospitality as about food. The Bible is full of restrictions for other parts of our bodies, warning us against speaking out when we should be silent, or curbing our various physical appetites. Not so for our feet. Our feet are meant to be free. Perhaps her bare feet are a reflection of her heart. She doesn’t dress up, or wait for the perfect moment or occasion. She is simply present to those she meets. Take time today to consider what hospitality means to you. Open your home and your heart to others, for a cup of tea, or time to share. Simply be present to those you meet, and free your heart, and your feet. Photo by Sarah Gulick
Seek the Sacred Amidst the Ordinary 