Good morning…
Referring to our new golden retriever puppy, a friend texted this weekend, “I love the thought of Cami being a precious pearl.”
From Sunday to Sunday, I have spent the first week of her life with us stringing puppy pearls on the single strand of God’s loving presence. The pearl necklace being created is too exquisite to keep to myself.
This week of firsts will never come again. There have been happy moments, hard moments, fun moments, frustrating moments, cuddly moments, crazy moments, peaceful moments, painful moments, all strung together like pearls on the sturdy string of God’s presence. What a humbling, human experience to raise a newborn puppy. It reminds me of a poem someone happened to read aloud in our Friday spiritual growth group. Then another person coincidentally read in our Sunday afternoon study.
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Guest House by Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
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Coming two weeks earlier than originally planned, Cami has brought with her a whole houseful of strong emotions. We have tried to welcome all of them in, like unexpected visitors. We are desperately in need of wise guidance from beyond!
Might each of us be grateful for the wide range of feelings forming in us each day? Let’s stringing together nuggets of new wisdom on the sturdy string of God’s loving ever presence.
Even if we don’t feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20, CEV).
…Sue…
