a prophetic voice-

After a week filled with sharing the pain of others about whom I care deeply...after some times of soul-searching and sadness and the Sense of walking in the dark, trying to feel my way, at times unable to see the light at all, this afternoon's sunshine was a precious and beautiful gift. I sat on my back deck, soaking it in...absorbing both the healing and beneficial Vitamin D and the warm and healing of the sun's rays themselves, reminding me of the ever-presence of the healing presence of the One Who Loves. I could almost feel the warmth soaking into my body and spirit...could almost feel the healing of the spirit which was happening for and to me. And that's the way it is, isn't it... so very often in life. We go along convinced that it- whatever the "it" is- all depends on us...that we must have the solution and the strength, the courage and the Conviction, the wherewithal and stick-to-itiveness...when, in reality, the healing and strength, ...

Lost & found...the themes of this week's gospel reading...of all the scripture readings, actually. Makes me think of recent personal losses- oh, nothing intense or profound like the loss of a loved one, and yet at a deep level, intensely profound for me. Recently, I have been experiencing a problem in my right hip which has been affecting both my mobility and my sense of comfort and well-being. The result of an old injury caused by an auto accident, the problem flared this summer as I tried to keep up with mostly-younger people in a strength-and-flexibility class at a local yoga studio. By the end of five weeks (I couldn't even go to the sixth!) I was in almost-continuous pain and found myself walking...getting in and out of the car...getting up from a chair...navigating the stairs...like a decrepit old woman. ME- who had prided myself on remaining as youthful as possible- at least in terms of my physical abilities and good health. Now, I have long ackno...