Hello TSJ Peeps,
I suppose it is not technically possible to hold two emotions in exactly the same second. Remember when you tried to be angry and something struck you funny? Or when you were sad and someone came to the door and you gulped back the tears only to find yourself engaged in another state of mind?
But each day I do think we gently hold what appear to be contrasting feelings in our hearts. Today is one of those days for me and my muses: Solomon, SJ, and Lavender The Lamb. By now you know them too.
We are hanging together and learning to go with the flow each chaotic day we experience here at The Shared Journey headquarters.
Today is mixed emotion day for sure.
Sadness:
This is the last Wednesday Wisdom blog we will write from here. By next Tuesday this “headquarters” (aka our home) will be empty and awaiting new arrivals. On Labor Day we said good bye to Tom’s red Dodge Caravan. It is going to a good home with Tom’s son and grandson. That is a good thing.
The sad part is I was unaware of just exactly how seeing that van brought me comfort. Almost like Tom was still here. Strangely when Tom first left for his new “pastures” with God, seeing the van caused me great sadness. But that morphed into a source of comfort. Of course all comfort external to us is fragile and fleeting. The only lasting comfort comes as we truly internalize the Peace that comes from God through our hearts.
Each good bye to external things is a reminder we are ultimately on an inner journey.
Joy:
In complete contrast to sadness of losing Tom and now leaving our home is a genuine feeling of joy. Ten years ago today two incredible new spirits arrived on Planet Earth. Tom and I were beyond excited. Twin grandchildren! A little boy and a little girl all bundled up and embraced by their wonderful mom and dad. Now anyone who is a grandparent knows this pure joy. We were not the ones to endure the discomforts of pregnancy or the pain of childbirth. We were simply there to celebrate!!!
Our grandson (Quinn) and his sister (Rowan), make me smile even when I just think about them. Of course they also bring out other emotions too sometimes. Yes, we can gently hold mixed feelings. So while they are in school or outside happily playing or asleep they seem like the earth angels they are … messengers of hope for our planet. When they squabble, whine, or complain they make me think of myself in my relationship with God when things don’t go the way I like them too. When they are supremely happy there is no joy comparable to seeing children in a state that comes as close to heaven – on- earth as possible for us humans.
Oh how I wish we could tap into that pure love of living all our lives. Perhaps we can. But only when we fully realize we are fully known and profoundly loved by our Chief Shepherd. Parent shepherds are a close second.
It is also the birthday of a dear friend, Cindi, who is a woman of grace and courage. No stranger to heartache and loss, watching her take life by the tail and turn troubles into triumphs has been an inspiration to me. I rarely see her but friends are also earth angels.. like someone has said “you don’t always see them but you know they are there.” Remember angel means messenger! And they bring messages of comfort, hope, courage, and joy that infuse our hearts with that love and encouragement we long for. In that way we truly experience a shared journey.
So Good Bye TSJ as we have known it. . . Happy Birthday to young and older who celebrate this day of your arrival on Planet Earth!
The “Boys” and I find great comfort in hearing from all of you. We are in a time of transition and seeking ways to improve our service to you wonderful “peeps” who are also understudies of our Chief Shepherd. We have a lot to learn but we are thankful we are not alone. Any suggestions of what would be good for you are always welcomed.
Life is a “both – and” experience by far more than “either – or.”
I must run and fulfill a zillion little tasks today to keep us on schedule. Sounds like you, right?
But let us find joy in the pastures as we learn to gently hold mixed feelings in our days. I do think that helps us appreciate the Grace that comes from God alone.
Happy Shepherding!
Margie
…and her inner voices of wisdom and wonder: Solomon and SJ (with comfort from Lavender the Lamb too).
