Late Spring

The ancient one opens leaves in frost and sun.

Celebrating better health and good news from the medical folk, late spring finds me in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. David and I join Quakers from the Utah Fellowship of Friends for a long weekend. It is late April and the night temperatures drop, even destroying the apricot crop. The days are in the 40s or 50s and windy. We hike in the morning. Afternoon we share news. Then glories, luscious potluck dishes and singing. Night comes on and the full moon rises over reefs.

This ancient tree captures my attention. How old is it? Surely it is more than one hundred years. It was probably here before the pioneers settled in this valley in the 1800s. Their fruit orchards still stand and are well attended. The apricots were lost this year when the temperatures dipped to twenty-three degrees two days before we arrived.

What lessons are there for me this late April?

New growth

my hope embraces

the mysteries

of the ancient one.

Good news, congestive heart failure is ruled out and the echocardiogram shows that my heart has strengthened in the last fourteen months. It is Parkinson's. my spiritual mentor at play. The diaphragm muscles are affected and I go into shallow breathing yet The Holy One who created us all, also created an incredible brain that can make new circuits. Are we open to learning to follow inner guidance, even when the specialists think that there is nothing to be done? Research show that the brain is able to develop new paths. In this case, it is the C Pap machine which is developing the new path to regular, normal deep breathing.

Alleluia.

Gnarled beauty continues

bringing joy

and blessings.

Blessings of Letting Go

This last week has been a struggle, new health issues, congestive heart failure, pulmonary problems, in addition to living with Parkinson's and my on-going facing of "Letting Go."

My body takes charge and tells me,
you must stop now and rest." It tells me to let go of responsibilities and commitments.

"How dear Lord am I to do this? What does all this mean in letting go? How am I to participate in the life of community?"

I prayerfully reflected on passages from the book of John and received comfort, peace and guidance.

The story of Nicodemus and Jesus telling him that he must be born anew. "Beloved Creator, help me to listen, that the Spirit is my guide. Letting go of being active is so hard. Letting go of commitments and responsibilities is such a challenge. Thank you for directing me to let go of leading a workshop at the FGC Gathering this summer and showing me ways to cut back on leadership with the Parkinson's Support Group I started. You were with me from the beginning, leading and blessing the establishment of the Support Group. You show me how I can prepare members on taking on the tasks I have shouldered." John 3:7-8

"I am happy to take refuge in you and experience your loving care and being with me." Psalm 33(34):8, 18

The story of the five barley loaves and two fish. "You show me that the little I have to offer after letting go is enough. I am still able to plant seeds, and to listen deeply to others. In listening deeply to others, you touch their lives with hope and love." John 6:5-11

The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water to come to them. "It is I; do not be afraid." he said. "Jesus, you are with me through my struggles of letting go and still living. You are with me even when I despair. Thank you." John 6:16-21

I woke this morning with the delightful guidance to invite members of the Support Group to come to my home to help get the mailing out.

In Meeting for Worship, I was shown that only when I let go will I be able to attend to the writing that only I can do. "Please, dear Lord, lead me on."

Blessings from Judy