OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

 

 

 

There’s a book full of stories just outside my living room overlooking my condo balcony. I can see that the warm days of summer are past as the falling leaves have reached their end of life stage.  Some by themselves as the life has parted from their veins and others not quite so ready being blown off by the wind.

 My Geraniums, they have brought so much joy this season are still hanging in there, fighting against the cold and the rain and sapping up every ounce of nutrients remaining in their source of supply.  My yellow vine flowers have passed on, guess it was time. The empty chairs that exchanged the laughter and chatter of friends look cold and uninviting and are waiting to go into hibernation until next year.

 My condo is around ten years old and was built besides above ground hydro polls which can be an eye sore, however it also has provided company for me as the birds take rest there occasionally and talk back and forth to each other. So, I suppose in that sense it is a good thing.

 There’s an empty lot in front of my place, with two beautiful huge trees. One might be a Manitoba Maple. I’m not certain as I don’t know my trees very well.  So, help me if anyone dares to come and cut them down.

Across the alley to my left is the Fish and Games building. Prior to the present owners it was used as a church. This gives me something to think about. A lot of history wrapped up in those walls. Weddings, dedications, baptisms, funerals, Christmas carols ringing out, worship, the odd person nodding off while the preacher is giving his sermon. O if these walls could talk!

To my left, across the alley is the Dr. Woods Museum, keeping alive the rich history of a pioneer Dr. who came to the area in 1902. It depicts the domestic and professional life of Dr. Woods and his family. The Museum preserves artifacts reflecting the period of life from the late twenties and forties, as well as showcasing a Canadian Doctor’s home in a small prairie town.

I could write about the sirens I hear daily, keeping me in touch with humanity. There are the planes that fly over my condo taking people on some adventure.

That’s another story.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS

FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

We are experiencing In our society a very complex and volatile world. There’s the right wing the left wing, ethnic cleansing, and ideology driven by extreme fundamentalism.

Those who have taken on leadership roles in society are for the most part type A personalities. They can be driven to express in no uncertain terms what their personal views are. There are those among us who have strong convictions on both the right and left-wing agendas; and without a question there are those who are right on both sides. Becoming intense regarding our views can cause not only division but anger and discord.

While we can never walk from our values and morals that are based upon our Judeo-Christian faith, we need to be informed and thoughtful when in discussion with others who do not agree with us.

We live in an inclusive society where people of all countries come to our shores and deserve the same freedoms as we do as long as it doesn’t conflict with our rule of law. As we move along in society, this becomes a more complex situation.

Jesus was born into a very hostile political atmosphere. Jerusalem was ruled by Rome and they were very iron fisted. When he was asked if he a Jew should pay taxes to Caesar, he had a coin displayed showing the head of Caesar and informed the crowd to give to Caesar what belonged to him.

We are to pray for kings and all who are in authority so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life and dignified in every way. We are to show respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear and honor God.

 God spoke to his people through Jeremiah to seek peace and prosperity of the city to which carried them into exile. For lack of guidance a nation falls but victory is won through many advisers. He makes nations great, and destroys them, he enlarges nations and disperses them.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was quoted to have said; I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer, as we rise to each new day and again when each day is spent let words of prayer be on our lips.

On a more personal level, saying the right words can also be extremely challenging. It is sometimes easier to jump in with both feet when someone his expressing their opinions. The art of listening with love can sometimes give us an opportunity to express effectively a response that can bring healing and direct the conversation to a more resourceful understanding.

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could follow Paul’s admonishment in Colossians 4:6 to let our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.

The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger Proverbs 25:11-12  

ALASKA

How can an experience feel desolate, detached and calm all at the same time? As the cruise liner

entered the mouth of Glacier Bay, Alaska; it’s engines slowed as some 1500 rubbernecks including myself were dashing on all decks to get the best view possible. Why are more than 2 million tourists from all over the world drawn to this place every year?  Unpredictable weather could include rain and dense fog, which at times have made the glacier invisible.

Today the sun is shining, the water is calm allowing the surrounding mountains and glacier to be mirrored in a most sacred beauty. The ship turns a 360-degree angle to give all passengers the ideal view. It is fairly quiet on deck; everyone has a camera of some sort endeavoring to catch any changing mood of this magnificent scene. As the Sun shines on this ornate piece of original art the colors reflect hues of blue, green, turquoise and as the clouds cover the sun another portrait appears.

We watch the landscape changing before our eyes as giant pieces of ice break away and display diamond like bergs in the icy water.

 I ponder this majestic intimidating and ever-changing landscape. It is one of the world’s largest protected natural areas. The ship moves slowly out of the bay and I see new growth along the shoreline, as the glacier melts away to give birth to life which 250 years ago was once covered in a blanket of ice. Here we see the possibilities and resilience of nature. I am so reminded of how connected we are to the earth and all creation. And for whatever reason this journey through time became both a therapeutic and spiritual experience.