So, my little tribe of blogging buddies is participating in a challenge that asks you to list ten secrets. At first, I decided I was not going to participate, but I have been so touched by the posts I’ve read so far that I hate not to join in. I think I’ll write a little story and you can glean whatever secrets you can from what I write (it’s no secret that I sometimes make up my own rules for these things, and also no secret that I tend to keep my secrets close to my vest, which can be a good thing, as Rach pointed out, but also a bad thing.) Well, turns out, I might start my story out with a secret. . .
A few years ago, I discovered that one of the Episcopal churches in town offered a labyrinth walk about once a quarter. I’d read about them online and was very interested in going, so I went, by myself, to see what it was all about. The first time around I was extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious. But it turned out to be a good experience for me and so I returned several times. I even told my husband about it and he came along a few times. I enjoy it very much. Usually things will come up, nothing really earth shattering but I will journal about them afterwards. There is something about the atmosphere too. It is a cloth labyrinth and they have it in their gym. They usually have candles lit and a small altar and instrumental music or chants playing. This last time seemed to be Native American flute music.
The art work above is a result of something that came to me the last time I walked. Hebrews 11:1 is one of my favorite verses and it popped into my head as I was walking. And soon I was “hearing” this: “It is in this way that you, though broken, are being made whole.” I have such a problem with turning on myself and thinking I am not good enough. I am getting better at being nice to myself but this was a very comforting thing to “hear.” I wrote it down in my journal afterwards.
When I finished walking, and was out of the labyrinth looking back in, there was another thing I was “hearing.” I wrote it in my journal:
Well, so, I’ve shared the secrets that I enjoy walking labyrinths and that I sometimes “hear” things while I am walking.
There are some serious tensions in my home right now. I am fearful of our future. I'm tired.
I wish I had some fun secrets to tell.
That is all.
I'm hopeful for you Diane. And praying for you and your family. And if you need it, I can send Mindy to bump someone off for you. I'd do it myself, but she's older and has lived a long, full life. Her kids are grown. She doesn't have all that much left to live for so it wouldn't matter so much if she got caught and sent to prison. Think about it. Let me know. I got yer back.
ReplyDelete(Seriously - hoping and praying.)
What a great post and I know a huge leap for you Diane. Plus you got to share how cool it is to walk a labyrinth and the perfect result of such a walk. And yeah, I read right through you're writing.... but that's okay, I know you and you're "secrets" are safe with me.
ReplyDeleteMoving on is a big deal. Eventually you stop looking back too..... it's cool.
I'm glad you decided to post.
Rach, you crack me up. But I agree with you.... send Mindy
ReplyDeleteThanks,Rach,what might be more helpful might be a place in the witness protection thing-a-ma-jig, to keep me safe from being driven completely nuts!
ReplyDeleteThis means more to me than you will ever know. You spoke to me tonight. I love that you hear things. You are supposed to hear things.
ReplyDeleteI am praying. We are all praying.
And BTW.....Rachel is an ass.
And Lori is an ass too.
ReplyDeleteWV was
ReplyDeletethrowrachandloriunderthebus
But I'm too old to move on, Lori and too ill-equipped to make it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Mindy is a sweetie-pie, but I believe she can be a scary you-know-what when she needs to be (maybe more so than Rach, but don't tell her I said so!)
Mindy you speak to me all the time, you're very brave and tough and sweet-looking (that's the ones you gotta watch, I agree!).
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, sometimes you scare me. :)
LOL I scare you?? bbbaaaawwwaaahhhhaaahhhaaa
ReplyDeleteLori and I are ASSOME. That's like awesome, only assier.
ReplyDeleteMindy is way scary.
And you're never too old for Witness Protection, annie.
I am SO using that word in a sentence tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAssome....like awesome only assier.
No, Mindy, I mis-spoke, it is your potential for scariness that scares me! I've never actually seen you be scary, come to think of it.
ReplyDeleteAssome- wow, impressive!
Hi. Yes, remember me?
ReplyDeleteWell, call me an ass and I'll feel right at home here.
Beautiful post, girl. Proud of you for stepping out in faith to give us a taste of faith.
I hear stuff, too. All the time. Sometimes I try to talk myself out of believing that it was anything other than my subconscious...but it's always such deep wisdom that I know it couldn't be just me. I'm not that smart.
Wherever it comes from, He speaks to all of us. Glad you are listening.
And we are listening to you.
((hugs))
(and wish I could be in the asstastic club, too...)
Mindy, I may have to work in to conversation at work tomorrow myself.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! Yes, I remember you. Thanks! And I think you are assome enough for the asstastic club! Welcome!
asstastic club!!!
ReplyDeleteGoogle ate my comment. It was brilliant and supportive and really long. I love you.
ReplyDeleteOh, Cyn, I hate when that happens! Thank you for your brilliant and supportive and long comments! I love you too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to remember to be brilliant on the PC not the iPhone.
ReplyDelete