A few minutes ago, as I was finishing writing my Sunday post about the summer solstice, I was startled by a NYT notification informing me that the current president of the United States had just unilaterally, without an act of congress, dropped bombs on a foreign sovereign nation.
Had that morning that many preachers had: wondering what word to bring following the news of last night. I looked at what we'd planned, and thought it was just fine. I used If Not Now to frame a conversation with the story of Esther and the truth Mordecai spoke to her: you have been put here for such a time as this. If not now .... Thanks for that beautiful song, and for a big assist in worship today! Perhaps we have been put here for such a time as this.
During the early days of COVID I walked down to Lake Michigan. I was grateful to have the beauty of the lake. On one particular day a group of people were singing spiritual songs to the lake. I was so moved I leaned against a tree and tears rolled down my face. It was beyond beautiful.
Thank you Carrie for your lovely writing. I do enjoy reading them.
As I read your words, I am looking at a lake that I enjoyed as a young girl and continue to enjoy now into my senior years. The soft waves calm me; the light bouncing off the water reminds me that the Spirit is near. I am so upset that our president impulsively engaged us in a war that is not ours. Yet, I am reminded that always, the Greater Good is stronger and bigger and ever present as we walk this path.
I just read Diana Butler Bass's post on the theology behind Trump's erratic decision. If you have not yet, go to The Cottage on Substack. Her historical viewpoint puts this into a larger perspective that I find fascinating, and helps me realize how this could happen.
I remember riding to Montezuma, Colorado to attend a word of mouth barn dance on Kris's '73 Sportster with springer front end, all red and shiny chrome. We danced our hearts out and I was whirled around the floor as an old guy tried to teach me the polka! After we drank beer and left, Kris had to pull over to go into the bushes. We had the kickstand off the bike for some reason and he had to get me to stand on it while running, on tiptoes and a little scared! The night was soft and velvety and the scent of pines was sharp. What if I had put that bike in gear and rode off? 😀
A comment from Canada, as we took time to light our peace candle this morning in church, it took on a whole new meeting after hearing the news of one man’s wrong doing to show control and dictatorship. As we sat in silence praying for all those affected by this deplorable act, Carrie your words came to mind “ what’s mine to do? And Who will go with me?”. Yes we in Canada are here to support, pray, and hold all those affected in the light. May peace overcome all in these uncertain times. We are with you…you are not alone!
I am sad to see the US get involved in this conflict. I hope that this doesn't escalate into involving troops on the ground and the US becoming part of a regime change situation but only time will tell.
A long night waiting for results of the Brexit vote to emerge (23 June 2016) is one of my summer memories. As you know, Carrie, I spend time in Scotland, and have good friends there in addition to many connections through music. I was in the US at that time, watching and hoping. If I recall correctly every constituency in Scotland voted to remain in the EU. We were hopeful as results came in through the night, but, with dawn, it was not to be.
Thank you Carrie and Parker. I’m finally able to take a deep breath after hearing the news last night. Memories of camping and hiking in WV and Maine are coming back to soothe me.
Thank you Carrie. THis has been a week of change and growth for me and a week of watching the spiritual, moral and cognitive decline of our sitting president. One can only hope and pray that someone in Washington pulls on their big boy pants and stops him
As I sit on my comfortable couch in an air conditioned home, my thoughts fly to the thousands of troops who will witness unimaginable horrors because one man seeks the Nobel Peace Prize. Many of these young troops' lives will be irrevocably damaged if war with Iran continues. Poor man's battle, rich man's war.
Last night I parked in the grass and walked down into the woods for a music party. That's the epitome of summer for me. Last year, I never once parked in the grass, and so summer did not feel quite complete. Glad to check this key component off my list on the first day of summer this year - but I sure hope it happens again real soon!
I love summer- the warmth, the light, all of it. Love your Alaska story! “Hell yes!”
Of the many summer memories- the one most on my mind is when I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle- My Uncle invited me to go up in his glider plane. It was a hot and humid NY summer day- with little breeze. The towing plane brought us up into the air and I felt the cable release below my feet. My Uncle chatted about everything on the flight path… and then we circled back- as you do in a glider- the pilot finds updrafts to keep the plane aloft. Sometimes smaller circles… as I fought the feelings in my stomach I remembered to find the horizon and any other distractions… “So.. how many passengers have you flown with?”, I asked my Uncle. “You are the first!” Ah I thought. Glad I waited to ask or I might’ve thought twice about the opportunity to spend time with my Uncle doing what he loved. He was known to say “yes, but can you fly a plane with no engine?!” He was a kind man, a scientist and completely devoted to my Aunt. We will have his celebration of life next week. I am so grateful I said yes to that flight on that hot summer day. And grateful for the metaphor of saying yes and following my heart- even if it involves struggle. Following my heart has never lead me astray.
When I was a kid (yep, 1 of those reflections), I often caught fireflies, sometimes releasing them immediately because catching them was the fun part, sometimes putting them in jars to watch them light up (we called them "lightening bugs"). I don't see them much now & could only hope they weren't falling prey to human "development." But last summer, right near the solstice, a friend & I went to the Obed River "dark sky" area (middle Tennessee) so I could try to photograph the Milky Way. Well, the moon was too bright for that effort to bear much fruit, but it didn't matter. Because there, in the woods all along the river, were the fireflies! The woods sparkled with them! For a few moments, I was a kid again! (Thanks, Carrie. I needed to experience a memory like this in the wake of the news.)
Had that morning that many preachers had: wondering what word to bring following the news of last night. I looked at what we'd planned, and thought it was just fine. I used If Not Now to frame a conversation with the story of Esther and the truth Mordecai spoke to her: you have been put here for such a time as this. If not now .... Thanks for that beautiful song, and for a big assist in worship today! Perhaps we have been put here for such a time as this.
I think of lightning bugs wandering through the woods flashing their lights. The epitome of a summer evening for me.
During the early days of COVID I walked down to Lake Michigan. I was grateful to have the beauty of the lake. On one particular day a group of people were singing spiritual songs to the lake. I was so moved I leaned against a tree and tears rolled down my face. It was beyond beautiful.
Thank you Carrie for your lovely writing. I do enjoy reading them.
As I read your words, I am looking at a lake that I enjoyed as a young girl and continue to enjoy now into my senior years. The soft waves calm me; the light bouncing off the water reminds me that the Spirit is near. I am so upset that our president impulsively engaged us in a war that is not ours. Yet, I am reminded that always, the Greater Good is stronger and bigger and ever present as we walk this path.
https://substack.com/@dianabutlerbass/note/c-128273557?r=1onfjz
I just read Diana Butler Bass's post on the theology behind Trump's erratic decision. If you have not yet, go to The Cottage on Substack. Her historical viewpoint puts this into a larger perspective that I find fascinating, and helps me realize how this could happen.
I remember riding to Montezuma, Colorado to attend a word of mouth barn dance on Kris's '73 Sportster with springer front end, all red and shiny chrome. We danced our hearts out and I was whirled around the floor as an old guy tried to teach me the polka! After we drank beer and left, Kris had to pull over to go into the bushes. We had the kickstand off the bike for some reason and he had to get me to stand on it while running, on tiptoes and a little scared! The night was soft and velvety and the scent of pines was sharp. What if I had put that bike in gear and rode off? 😀
A comment from Canada, as we took time to light our peace candle this morning in church, it took on a whole new meeting after hearing the news of one man’s wrong doing to show control and dictatorship. As we sat in silence praying for all those affected by this deplorable act, Carrie your words came to mind “ what’s mine to do? And Who will go with me?”. Yes we in Canada are here to support, pray, and hold all those affected in the light. May peace overcome all in these uncertain times. We are with you…you are not alone!
I am sad to see the US get involved in this conflict. I hope that this doesn't escalate into involving troops on the ground and the US becoming part of a regime change situation but only time will tell.
A long night waiting for results of the Brexit vote to emerge (23 June 2016) is one of my summer memories. As you know, Carrie, I spend time in Scotland, and have good friends there in addition to many connections through music. I was in the US at that time, watching and hoping. If I recall correctly every constituency in Scotland voted to remain in the EU. We were hopeful as results came in through the night, but, with dawn, it was not to be.
As to the events of this weekend, your words in "I heard and owl..." are is on my mind, as are words from Matraca Berg's song South of Heaven North of Hell, and others in this story https://kerrydexter.substack.com/p/anger-and-anthems-protest-songs-part
Thank you Carrie and Parker. I’m finally able to take a deep breath after hearing the news last night. Memories of camping and hiking in WV and Maine are coming back to soothe me.
Thank you Carrie. THis has been a week of change and growth for me and a week of watching the spiritual, moral and cognitive decline of our sitting president. One can only hope and pray that someone in Washington pulls on their big boy pants and stops him
Absolutely! We need to encourage those we elected to step up and say STOP!
As I sit on my comfortable couch in an air conditioned home, my thoughts fly to the thousands of troops who will witness unimaginable horrors because one man seeks the Nobel Peace Prize. Many of these young troops' lives will be irrevocably damaged if war with Iran continues. Poor man's battle, rich man's war.
Tanya in Cheney, Kansas
Last night I parked in the grass and walked down into the woods for a music party. That's the epitome of summer for me. Last year, I never once parked in the grass, and so summer did not feel quite complete. Glad to check this key component off my list on the first day of summer this year - but I sure hope it happens again real soon!
I love summer- the warmth, the light, all of it. Love your Alaska story! “Hell yes!”
Of the many summer memories- the one most on my mind is when I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle- My Uncle invited me to go up in his glider plane. It was a hot and humid NY summer day- with little breeze. The towing plane brought us up into the air and I felt the cable release below my feet. My Uncle chatted about everything on the flight path… and then we circled back- as you do in a glider- the pilot finds updrafts to keep the plane aloft. Sometimes smaller circles… as I fought the feelings in my stomach I remembered to find the horizon and any other distractions… “So.. how many passengers have you flown with?”, I asked my Uncle. “You are the first!” Ah I thought. Glad I waited to ask or I might’ve thought twice about the opportunity to spend time with my Uncle doing what he loved. He was known to say “yes, but can you fly a plane with no engine?!” He was a kind man, a scientist and completely devoted to my Aunt. We will have his celebration of life next week. I am so grateful I said yes to that flight on that hot summer day. And grateful for the metaphor of saying yes and following my heart- even if it involves struggle. Following my heart has never lead me astray.
When I was a kid (yep, 1 of those reflections), I often caught fireflies, sometimes releasing them immediately because catching them was the fun part, sometimes putting them in jars to watch them light up (we called them "lightening bugs"). I don't see them much now & could only hope they weren't falling prey to human "development." But last summer, right near the solstice, a friend & I went to the Obed River "dark sky" area (middle Tennessee) so I could try to photograph the Milky Way. Well, the moon was too bright for that effort to bear much fruit, but it didn't matter. Because there, in the woods all along the river, were the fireflies! The woods sparkled with them! For a few moments, I was a kid again! (Thanks, Carrie. I needed to experience a memory like this in the wake of the news.)
That's a fine story, Mitizi, thank you. Has me wondering too if you know Caroline Herring's song called Fireflies? You may enjoy it, I'm thinking.