When We First Arrive (beginner’s mind)

Remember: Paint and Sip next Saturday 2-4 with the beautiful and talented Austina Towle (please RSVP).

Think of the places where you have “arrived anew”.  Think of the different ways you have “arrived anew”.

When we first arrive somewhere new, we notice all the new things.  We begin looking for the things we expect and have anticipated would be there.  We notice all the different crosses.  The carvings in the stone and the way each one is beautiful and yet different.  How each one has a different story to tell.  One we don’t yet know.  

We notice the stands where the crosses are missing and we wonder if it was time and elements or the hands of man.  We wonder why.  We touch the crosses and think of how many pilgrims have come before us and touched this very cross. We think about those people before us.  We read about each cross.  

We are awed.  We slow down and notice.  We connect to what is now and to what has come before and to what might come.  We feel like a part of everything.  

We begin to notice what we didn’t expect or anticipate.  We see something new in all the unexpected places. We see God’s touch and God’s grace everywhere.  We see the beauty and we take the time to notice, connect, and be awed.  PAUSE.  In the things.  In the land. In one another.  In strangers.  In a simple mug of tea or unusual dish.

Then, it becomes familiar.  We forget to notice in the rush to get a “real” mug of coffee or the best seat in the restaurant.  We forget to notice in the long haul to get to the farthest away beaches to find the coolest rocks and shells and seagrass.  We forget to notice in thinking about what to buy or if the weather will be in our favor.  

We’ve seen it. We’ve felt it. We know it’s there.  God’s touch and God’s grace.  We become less like a pilgrim on the journey, remembering to notice the beauty and the goodness.  We let the distractions get in the way of being still fully present and awed.  We’re there.  But less present.

We begin to grumble about the weather that’s not perfect.  We begin to worry about the news that is awful; our own and the world’s.  We become overwhelmed by the aches and the tiredness.  Those things become louder as the newness of God’s touch wears off and everything else is so very present and loud and distracting.  It’s easy to get…lost and forget.  

Then, we remember. We are reminded of God’s Love and God’s Beauty. Maybe it’s a sunrise or the words in a book.  Maybe it’s the face of a cow or the call of a new bird.  Maybe it’s a rainbow or the way the clouds move with sunbeams.  Maybe it’s an unexpected laugh or an extra ‘specially beautiful song note.  

We remember to Pause, close our eyes, step away, and come back home to remembering.  

God is our shelter and our safe Home. (wherever we are or whatever is happening)

God is our shelter and our safe Home.

We remember and each cross is lit for us anew.  We remember that we are a pilgrim on a journey to something more important than the daily tugs and charms and distractions of our individual lives.  

We remember that each curve of the cross is touched by a new light in every passing.  Lit up and shadowed by the movement of the days.  Lit up and shadowed by a different love and grace and way of seeing.  The noticing.  A sunrise.  A sunset.  And everything in between.  

Nothing is ever the same.  We notice when we remember we are pilgrims together on this journey of life. Nothing ever stays the same. There are shadows, but there is brilliance.  Even things that have been holding space for a thousand years and more are ever changing.  Lit anew with the passing moments of time.  Change is inevitable, but this moment is our life.  This single one.  This single One.  

Each morning is and opportunity to awe.  PAUSE.  Every evening is an opportunity to awe.  PAUSE.  Every moment is an opportunity to turn to the cross and remember.  PAUSE. To watch the sun and shadows of life dance across its surface.  To watch the dance of lights and shadows bring up a different seeing and a different story to listen to.  

Every moment is a chance to turn to another pilgrim on the journey and lend a hand or share an encouraging word.  Every moment is an opportunity to stay present in what matters most.  To turn one’s attention to what matters most.  To do what matters most.  

This perfect, beautiful moment.  WIth all its light and all its shadows.  

Awaken to God’s Light in whatever story is unfolding on our path.  PAUSE.  Be awed by the dance of light and shadow.  

Don’t run away.  Don’t be distracted.  Don’t hide away.  

Trust God in the dance of light and shadow.  Anchor your faith in every moment of God’s touch and God’s grace.  Don’t turn away. Turn inward and see.  Turn to one another. Turn to the cross. Turn to God.  

Images are crosses from the Isle of Iona in Scotland.

All Are Welcome: if you feel uncomfortable with the word “God”, feel welcome to call and connect with the Divine using whatever word, name, or phrase brings you closer to the Love and Grace that is universal in this world.