Best of the First Year in Hawaii

Week 20 of Deployment- Unforced rhythms of grace

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burnt out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me~watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I wont lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you will learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30 Message Bible

Living freely and lightly…..that’s what I’m longing for in this time of change and busyness.  Fortunately, I have a great husband, family and friends who show me the “unforced rhythms of grace” which is a great skill resulting from knowledge of God’s unconditional love.  I am looking at my children to see how they take the “real rest” and enjoy themselves in every step they take.

Week 14 of Deployment – Paragliding

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”  Psalm 32:8 NLT

So this was a great way to begin our Spring Break….fun, sun and witnessing a guy jump off a cliff, sail around for 15 minutes and land right in front of us.  It doesn’t get much better than that on a Monday afternoon.

We rushed to meet him like he was a Rock Star and learned a little about what he does and how he does it.  He talked about the way he assesses the weather, location, proximity to dangerous objects, etc.  But once in the air, he really is just guided by something uncontrolable….the wind.

It wasn’t until that evening that I realized how this great visualization is truly exemplifying life.  We can make a decision based on what we see, but once we’re in it, we have to modify based on the changes in the elements.  It takes preparation and knowledge, but more than anything, it takes faith!

But when the nice paraglider offered to take my young son up for a tandem ride, I’d have to opt out of that kind of faith for now!  I rather just watch his faith in action!

 

Don’t like being IN the beach, but AT the beach is okay.

I’ve stated before that I’m not a fan of being in the sand, salt-water, my aversion to sharks, cold, etc.  But living on the west coastline does provide these views so I can only be blessed and grateful to witness God’s beauty.