GRANDPA AND LEAH

WE WERE SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED TO HAVE A VISIT FROM LEAH

REST

Imagine that God is floating around on His cloud looking at the earth below.
Suddenly He calls for His angels "
bring the scroll of the Ten Commandments."

Ah ha just as I remembered there it is the commandment to take a day of rest.
Yet everywhere I look people are hurrying and scurrying about too tired to enjoy life.
Life can be exhausting for the young parents, for the stressed worker, the parents of teenagers, the ups and downs of marriage, the death of family or the loss of energy as we grow older.
They are bone tired and soul tired. They need to take time just to rest and relax.

When I look at the clouds it is like looking into the face of God. Last night the clouds were beautiful and full of colors, but at other times they seem to hang dark over us and they can move fast with great energy that creates stormy weather; and when they let go the rain comes to beat upon us.

As children the rain could be fun especially when it created puddles and flowing streams that we could float things upon. Gradually we find the joy of childhood leaving us and when it does it leaves an emptiness. We find that we are longing to be loved, longing to feel that joyous freedom, longing to know that we belong in this world to reach out to touch and lift others up when they feel lost and alone.

This is the soul within us that stirs up renewed energy and strength. We have come to the gate of brokenness, tired and empty, confused and haunted, angry and afraid as we find ourselves weeping in the garden of despair. We are too exhausted with the burdens we carry. The mind wants to figure out all the answers to questions that can never be answered and yet we keep asking. We become surrounded by the cloud of fog that shuts out the light and the beauty that have guided us on our way.

Depression comes to all of us at one time or another and we have to face this monster because it can be sent back to where it came from.

There is hope for the hopeless. "Deep within us runs a river of energy" It sings to us if we stop to listen and the Little child returns. We see life as beautiful and we appreciate the ordinary daily tasks that keep us going.

Underneath our smiles there may be sadness but faith lifts us up and sets us free.
We believe that God, that mysterious presence. cheers us on; as do our family and our friends.
We learn from others who have conquered and over come their disappointments.