Inviting my life into the woods!

There is nothing like getting away.  So after seeing the most recent Wes Anderson film, Moonrise Kingdom, I decided to plan my own escape into the woods.  I jokingly started making an inventory list with all of the quintessential stylized Wes Anderson items that made the trek into the woods in Moonrise feel like childhood innocence and magical escapade rolled together.

I did escape to a 3 day adventure with my two children plus one tag along child.  But as the adventure came to an end and I returned home with messages and problems waiting to grab hold of me just as soon as I arrived, I had that inevitable sinking feeling of adult reality.  During a difficult time for me that feels like it has lasted a lifetime, I have to admit I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and disheartened upon my return.  Must I return back from my magical forest adventure? Why is reality so real?!!! The uneasy stomach feeling began to surface as I neared home and the well known tears oozed as I saw familiar landmarks.  The cell phone literally became an evil beacon of reality which I almost turned off to escape for just a few more hours.

I started thinking I shouldn't let this "escape to the forest feeling" leave.  Maybe I could hold onto and savor that feeling of tranquility I had created for my adventure... in my mind.  To do that, I started thinking about and trying to express what it was that was such a release for me when I was away and what it is rushing in on me as I returned.  Do I really have to live with a stomach ache and pulses of stress hormone washing over me? No.

As all of this ran like a mini film in my head, I had a radical thought, instead of leaving the woods mentally... I could invite my life into the woods with me. We (my life and I) could escape together. 

What if I decided to live in tranquility, in peace, in harmony and invited everything/ everyone to join me there?  I quickly had every image of the "green pastures" & the "promise land" that I have been so drawn to and shown so much about recently join the thoughts of this "escape to the forest feeling".

What was so radical about these thoughts for me?
Boundaries.  I have been working hard on NOT having boundaries lately. Don't have a stroke, let me explain.  I had realized that all of my carefully crafted "boundaries" which I thought I "should" have to be "healthy" and create (IE:control) a good life were in actuality designed to keep love OUT & were something I was using to protect myself, and control those around me. It was an ugly realization. I had to let go of this need to control & protect in order to let God in and I had to do it at all cost.

I lost the "boundaries" & committed to spending some time laying down and being "naked".  Even if it was painful and even if it was frightening I stripped down and saw for the first time how addicted to shame, fear, hiding and control I was.  It took a lot of trust in God & a huge dose of courage to be vulnerable.  I will not say I am sorry I have done this, however, I will say that it hurts really badly to be vulnerable with people who know nothing but hurt.

I had to create this place of ultimate surrender to let love in, but how would I keep the painfulness from charring the green pasture and eventually causing me to close myself off again?  After all, the Shepherd guides us off difficult paths into a safe place. He lays a banquet before us in the presence of our enemies.

This new idea of LIVING in the green pastures and inviting my life in... is radical for me because I can see that this is the answer to opening my life up to love.  It is ultimately inclusive, all are free to enter.  You know where to find me, I am in the green grass... the promise land.  However, if you are unwilling to enter... you will not find me.  I will not close myself off from love but I will not loose my peace or tranquility or leave my place of promise for anyone or anything.

So, here is your invitation to adventure into the greenest most lush life imaginable. I am entering in & you are welcome!!! I have love enough for you & that will not stop... but this is my new address.  


If you can't make it, I'll be sure to send a postcard!

On Being a Sheep

God keeps showing me the picture of a sheep to illustrate to me 'being' ultimately vulnerable in a way that is 'stupid'.  'Bah'... stupid sheep!  A picture of vulnerability, nakedness, ultimate exposure even in the face of fear.  You might not see the beauty in being a sheep when the wolf is right there licking his chops. You might not understand, in fact it is something that is difficult to understand.  But I know that as I walk as a sheep I have found the most amazing peace.  It is all about love pushing out fear and it is a wondrous way to be.

Call me stupid. Call me ignorant. Call me weak. Call me blind. I am none of those things!
I am a sheep who has learned to depend on the shepherd. I am laying down, freshly sheered in green pastures, waiting for the next part of my story.  The wolf has no power, fear isn't welcome, it was always just a trick of the mind. I have been a trusting person all of my life and I will not let any external circumstances change that about me.  I will not harden my heart.

I bought myself this necklace to remind me to be sheep like in the midst of my dealings with those things which threaten me.  To remind me of what His power looks like in the middle of hardship.  To remind me to stay true to myself, to trust him & dismiss the need to control the outcome of everything that fearfully 'could be' & embrace the truth of what is.  The truth that I might not be 'ok' (if you want proof of that there is a running list and I can get you a copy) but I am truly deeply & eternally loved and my father thinks that I am beautiful.

So I wear this necklace and I chant the 23rd Psalm. Hoping that in the chanting of it the mantra will become embedded in my heart and shield it from all the hurt that surrounds.

Psalm 23 (the Voice)

1The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for

me always.

2He provides me rest in rich, green fields

beside streams of refreshing water.

He soothes my fears;

3He makes me whole again,

steering me off worn, hard paths

to roads where truth and righteousness

echo His name.

4Even in the unending shadows of death’s

darkness,

I am not overcome by fear.

Because You are with me in those dark

moments,

near with Your protection and

guidance,

I am comforted.

5You spread out a table before me,

provisions in the midst of attack from

my enemies;

You care for all my needs, anointing my

head with soothing, fragrant oil,

filling my cup again and again with

Your grace.

6Certainly Your faithful protection and

loving provision will pursue me

where I go, always, everywhere.

I will always be with the Eternal,

in Your house forever.