FRAGILE AND FRAIL!

Frail enough to fall. Weak enough to wobble. 

Without power says it all. But God in HIS transcendent power reminded me once again "THAT" power belongs only to Him NOT to me. It's only in this weakness and broken vessel of mine that I can find strength, in His all-surpassing power. As i've allowed Him to touch me in order to use me, just as I am, i received a big "touching" message.

A note from Ellen (1999) whose passing has "undone" me and yet I want to speak at her funeral-----to share her genuine goodness. How is that even possible?!

My answer..... "But God in His love and mercy" filled with His power gave me the words in Ellen's own hand writing,

"And thank you for always being there to encourage me to "dance." 

                           xoxo Ellen

May all that is within me praise His holy name as once again God allowed Ellen to bless me with her love and very own words!

CHOOSE: FELLOWSHIP

There's friendship and then there's fellowship---friend Ellen has taught me all about the "Dance of Fellowship." Her wisdom continues to give me glimpses into the various positions in the dances we choose throughout our lives.

Closed position. I know about that "dance." It's the position of believers leaning in on the Lord and allowing Him to lead in the "Dance of Life"---the unique dance He has for each of us. 

Circle Dances. A dance of unbroken faith held together by those who come around you---not offering first hand knowledge of your struggle but being there anyway. Encircling you with prayer and calling others to join in,

Line Dances. Those dances where believers line up in support because they all know this dance---every single step. It's the "struggling" dance available to those in fellowship on the same side of the suffering.

Whether we walk through life (started 27th year of walking in February '17)....

.....or dance together through our struggles, we've been there for each other. 

That's what the "dance of fellowship" is all about. 

It's easy to choose fellowship with Ellen.

Wednesday Walkabout

10/12/11 Merriam-Webster defines the term walkabout as “a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work.” For Ellen and me it was a running together of words as we estimated the number years we’d been walking. “Let’s see, we’ve “walk’dabout”---well it was the year John and Josh turned 15 so that’s 1990---Wow, we’ve been “walkin’about” 21 years and mostly on Wednesday. I remember that because she would drive to my house and then have to get back in time to work in Christ Methodist’s church library. Most of those years we both worked full time so it was a great interruption for both of us---a time to move our feet and our mouths. Wednesday is always the day I pray for Ellen too so that evens it all out nicely.

John15:15b….I have called you friend, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

This fall I’ve been going to her house to walk. Her “hood” has more trees and manicured lawns than my “hood” so our walks have been a vibrant visual feast. Do you have a friend like that? One with whom you share faith, friendship, the ups and downs of life, lots of stories and lots of years? If so how ‘bout starting a walkabout with them? Certainly burns more calories that “doing lunch.”

Enjoy today’s pictorial stroll---we don’t exactly burn up the pavement but we’re still “walkin’about”--- ‘cause that’s what our Wednesdays are all about.