Monday, August 1, 2011

Transitioning to the Lake

The past week has been full of transition.

New adventures.
Saying goodbye to familiar.

Transition is hard for me.

There is:
comfort in the familiar,
sacredness in the routine,
holiness in the ritual of everyday.

Even when it's hard, I tend to cling to what I know, rather than trusting that the new, the different might be easier or even better.

I wallow in the mud puddle, because I know every inch of that space, even though there's a crystal clear lake just a few yards away.

This go around, instead of rushing through the uncomfortableness of change till it feels pleasant again, or even just recognizable, I'm trying to sit with my uncomfortableness:

be fully present
slow down
breathe
see God
give thanks
embrace it.

Help me head for the lake! Let me be refreshed by the cool, clear water.
I pray. As I pour over God with my mug of coffee and breakfast.

__________________________________________________

788. Painted fingers.

789. Date night.

790. Little girls Swiffering the floors.

791. Dancing girls.

792. 18 months.

793. Coffee, breakfast and a book three days in a row.

794. Slowing down.

795. Finding thankfulness admist transtion.

796. Dinner at
Farmhaus.

797. Girls going to the nursery at church with no tears.

798. Wonderful, supportive, understanding, patient (mostly with me) nursery staff.

799. Sitting in church with Brad.

800. Girls playing with make-up brushes.

801. The girls getting over their fear of Howard.

802. Peaceful end. 

803. Facial.

holy experience




12 comments:

Laura said...

May I just say that each time I visit and get a gander of that header photo of your littles splashing about in joy it makes my heart join in with theirs? I can't even imagine what fun the swiffering must be :).

That said, I feel what you say here. Stepping out of the puddle takes such courage. I was reading in 2 Tim. this morning that God did not give us a spirit of timidity...but power, love, and self-discipline. I wondered to myself, Power? Where's mine? I think it's about time we grab onto that part, don't you? I think all three go hand in hand and help each other out. I'm still figuring on it. Might take me a lifetime but I am a work in progress :).

MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...

Ooh...sounds like so many wonderful things to be thankful for this week! And I might just be a bit jealous of a couple of them! :)

Happy 18 months, Brynne! Happy 18 months, Hadley! And happy Date Night to you two cuties! :) :)

And it sounds like you forced your way out of your mud puddle...I hope you enjoy that crystal clear lake! :)

Unknown said...

I found you through your link at A Holy Experience, but I laughed when I clicked over and saw the name of your blog - I have twins. Mine are 19 and boy/girl though. :)
I love what you said here, "I wallow in the mud puddle, because I know every inch of that space, even though there's a crystal clear lake just a few yards away." Isn't that true of so many of us? I love that you are being present in each moment of this transition instead of just rushing through to get to something more comfortable. Many blessings! Lisa

Shell said...

Howard! HA HA HA!

KarenW said...

Hello! Found you at Ann's group. Such a sweet list. It's been a long time since any of mine have been 18 months. Enjoy!

Bobbi said...

Some GREAT advice...thank you!!

Twinside Out said...

Ahhh. How true. What is it about change that makes us automatically assume that the new is also the bad?? I am so proud of you for truly living through the uncomfortableness, for soaking it in and giving thanks in the midst of it. As always, you inspire me!

I hope you are now, or soon will be, through the transition and lingering in the lovely waters of the lake.

Date night - love it! Such a cute picture of you two.

And 18 months - I can't even believe it. :)

Denise said...

How easy it is to splash in the puddle rather than swim in the lake! Howard is too cute to be afraid of for very long!

Nice to meet you! (and Howard)

liz barber said...

I love the way your express yourself Julia. You are a gifted writer! Thank you for helping me to experience God's truth through you're writings.

Kay K said...

I love date nights too ...your thankfulness list is wonderful ..what a Great GOD we have to allow so many blessings

Nicole said...

Your words are beautiful. I love your gifts this week. Saying a prayer for you. My heart is dealing with some of the same feelings!

Jennifer in OR said...

Coffee, breakfast, and a book three days in a row! Sounds lovely, I get it, that's hard to get when raising little ones! Howard? Is this the horse? Afraid of the cute stuffed rocking horse? Awww. Lovely blog.