Men of Issachar

Men of Issachar

In scripture we sometimes find nuggets in the midst of lists of names.  Such a gem was bought to my attention a couple of days ago.  Amongst a list of the warriors who served King David is this verse:  "And the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do' the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command."  I Chronicles 12:32
 
My good friend shared this passage from the Bible with me.  His comment, "What is different about these men of David is, unlike any of the elite warriors they were part of, these men had insight into how Israel should function in light of the times they found themselves in. Today we need Christians who live in the same understanding manner.  Not reacting but wise."

I quite agree.

The Deed is Done

I think of the road less traveled.  Like Robert Frost, I have come to the fork in the road and am venturing on a path less certain, more fascinating and sure-to-be more adventurous.  Leaving the safe secure path of finishing my career as a teacher in a small school district, is a major life-changing decision especially since it is not a fiscally smart step for my future life.  I have said to my friends, this will either be the best decision I've ever made or the worst.  One can only hope it is the "best". 

Many factors came into play that made this a decision that took at least two years to make.  I think back to my frustrations and discontent with my daily employment situation.  As much as I tried, it never was what I wished it to be or thought it could be which is not a good thing.  Yet, I am not one to believe work has to be rosy to be right nor that God only gives us the positive, for that is not a realistic appraisal of

the human experience.  But, a growing unrest has been decidedly gnawing at me, a voice that wouldn't be silenced day in and day out.  Also, there is an eagerness to chose a different path before the years become too many and the age-factor impedes the possibility.  I don't think I'm a Grandma Moses.

As I write this, I am weary, tired, and exhausted.  Depleted, may be the operative word that fits exactly as the perfect adjective describing my condition.  Why would anyone want to continue in such a state?  Invigorated, is the word that I hope will be the adjective to describe me as I seek a new direction and sense of person-hood.  There is so much in me that wants to learn and do and write and be, and hopefully when that person is released, it will be without drawing too much attention to myself in the process.  It's really not about me, for most of it pertains to being a better servant to the God I love.  How so?  I'm glad you asked!

One must be spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually fit.  Some of these areas I've neglected. Others I've had little time for.  And a couple of them I've been cultivating, the seeds have been planted, sprouted, and are growing, hopefully to maturation in due season.  Much more needs to be done of course, and the time seems short.  Besides the pursuing of these areas in my life, I want to laugh more and fill my life with joy and beauty.  I'm tired of being so serious and boring!  How?  In my way of thinking, I think the first step is to let negativity go, next-to seek the greater good, and then-mix it with finding wonder in the little things of life.  In the spirit realm, make "ask", "seek", and "knock" a daily vital part of life.

There are some dreams that come with this new venture on the road of life.  I'd like to spend a month cloistered in a retreat that follows Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.  Although I'm not catholic, I believe God could use this time in spiritual prayer and supplication to turn me inside-out in a positive way.  Another area I'd like to pursue is theophostic training to help me become better equipped for spiritual counseling, a technique where God does the revealing and healing and the counselor is the praying agent who comes alongside and supports.  I have found that people open up to me and trust me with their issues, yet I have a need to know how to better assist those who talk with me.  What else?  Spend a few weeks in Colorado with my grandchildren and kids every few months >>> Heaven!!!!  Take some time for my friends>>>YES!!!  Start working on a healthier me. :)  And watch more fun movies with Glorianne, and take more scenic trips just because I want to.  Most of all, developing the areas that are in my heart and blood, both in writing and service.  

Let the adventure begin!!!

The writing of a poet

It's Friday night. As I was listening to two poet laureates speak about their craft,  they spoke the language of ones' who see life through a different lense; a prism through which the world is seen in an a sundry of parts that make the whole, I felt my thoughts tug, in recognition of fellow adventurers who love to write the thoughts of the world in little splashes of light or in puddles of darkness, looking at the substance of small acts and beauty in the ways that touch and move like those of a graphic picture on a canvas of words. 

Some of my best poetry is not the kind one reads at events, or at least not for me.  The thoughts that reach out come from a place lost in the richness of time and depth of feeling. Last summer, while watching my daughter and her husband and my only (at the time) grandson drive out the driveway on their way home to Colorado, another title played in my mind, the poem I wanted to write. It would be titled "Missing Titus" the 'alone feeling' of knowing you won't be with your grandchild or those precious to you for a long while. I've written poems about love and love lost, God and the morning dawn, the unborn begging for its humanity before it might be aborted by its mother, the inner pain of a friend who struggles with depression in the face of a deep faith of God that keeps her despite the darkest of times, and poems of delight that express the joy of seeing the natural things of intricate loveliness. 

Many times I find myself sitting, looking like I am doing nothing, when in reality, my mind is full of thoughts I am sorting to make sense of the details, wondering where God is in the moment I am pausing to consider. I once said to a friend, that I am an observer.  It is true, and it is frustrating as well, especially when there is so much living to be done. At times I want to quit teaching the three Rs and open my students to the world of sweetness. I used to read poetry to my students, to help them see what I find so beautiful. But alas, I find it seems to have taken a backseat to more pressing instructional mandates. It's unfortunate. There is something so exceptionally beautiful in selecting just the right word to complete a word picture of thought.  Time.  I am more aware of time these days. Time is precious. I will conclude these thoughts with a poem I wrote a couple of years ago.

FRIENDSHIP FLOWER

Friendship flower began
     to bloom one day
After careful nurture
     along the way

She unfurled soft petals
     in gentle loveliness
Her sensual fragrance
     exquisite in delicateness

Dainty friendship flower
     embrace the white light
Glisteny dew of love's first kiss
     tear-drops in endless delight

The Symptoms of Inner PEACE

From the late, Jerry Dean, my brother-in-law who embraced sobriety and found God to be enough. I can say, he lived up to the words in this writing that he shared with me. I am not sure where it originated, to give it proper credit.
...

THE SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE

1. A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. A loss of interest in judging others.
4. A loss of interest in judging self.
5. A loss of interest in conflict.
6. A loss of interest in interpreting the action of others.
7. A loss of ability to worry.
8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.
11. Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate.
12. An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold, rather than resisting and manipulating.