Dry Season

Not sure why is doesn’t happen in the summer with the air conditioning. I guess there is enough moisture in the air already to balance out the humidity inside. But don’t you hate to wake up in the middle of the night in January with dry lips and a parched throat? And admit it, you sit there in the dark for a minute and think “Is this because I was breathing through my mouth and was I making awful noises?”

Truth is, it’s January and it’s DRY. My skin is dry and my throat is dry. Only thing I can be thankful for on this front is that my hair’s not frizzing.

And don’t we tend to dry out in other areas as well this time of year? Christmas is over and there’s that little let-down because we spent all our emotions in December. We’re trapped inside and looking out at what often appears to be an absolutely beautiful day…until we open the door. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t look to find the sun first. I look at the trees – if they’re blowing, my door stays closed. Because the chill you get on a damp, windy January day cannot be warmed away. It takes up space in your bones for a bit.

I have to say that my spiritual life has been anything but dry over these last few weeks. God has blessed my life in so many ways and He has answered prayers. Right now, I’m speaking creatively. It’s just not there! I considered taking the blog down; but I do believe it’s something I’m supposed to continue to do.

And no, for you Julia Cameron fans, I have not been doing my morning pages. I think I will start them up again, though, because they work and keep me in balance as well. In case you don’t know, morning pages are three handwritten pages done every morning first thing – a brain dump, stream of consciousness, "what was that dream?"-type pages. They are supposed to empty your brain to prepare it to fill with new and exciting ideas. Just put your hand down. I’m not going to call on you because you just want to make everyone aware that my brain was pretty empty to begin with.

I was trying to figure out a way to tie this in to scripture, the lesson being that God’s Word is my only source of rejuvenating water, valued root-deep moisture on a dry day. But in truth I have been spending time there – that is why my spiritual life has been so abundant. So can God’s Word work in only one area of our lives and not another? I don’t believe so. I think sometimes it’s just a call to go deeper because the answers are all there.

So hang in there with me, my friends, and I will hopefully come out of this dry spell. And be encouraged if your life feels dry right now. It just takes time and water.

Ps 107:33, 35; Jeremiah 17:8
He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground…He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs…He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

The Living Years

I was listening to 80’s music today as I did my housework. And a song came on that will be my blog this morning. I know it so well and it touched me as much today and it always did back then.

I’ve lost both my parents but, thankfully, things were so good between each of them and me when they died. They knew I loved them and I had tried to be available to them as much as possible. My daddy died very suddenly when I was twenty; my mom a little over 5 years ago. And I do know that we’ll have everlasting life to continue to explore our relationships.

That said, if you still have your parents, let them know how much you love them. If they aren’t believers, continue to pray as I know you are now and ask others to join with you!

And thanks to Mike and the Mechanics for the words from “The Living Years.”

Every generation blames the one before
And all of their frustrations come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it; he says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement in this present tense
We all talk a different language talking in defense

So we open up a quarrel between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future; it's the bitterness that lasts
So don't yield to the fortunes you sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective on a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in you may just be okay

I wasn't there that morning when my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him all the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo in my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye