Lessons from Parasailing....

The highlight of our vacation was parasailing. I LOVED seeing the looks on my kids faces when they were taking off. I LOVED the giggles from my boys as they were reacting to the experience. It was one of those "moments" that will never be forgotten (by me at least).

As I was sailing through the air and looking down on the ocean I was drawn into the beauty and mystery of the ocean. The view was absolutely AMAZING...STUNNING....BREATHTAKING. The colors of green and blue melted together and the water sparkled with clarity. It was so much more beautiful from our perch 500 feet up than it was in the boat.

And, the light bulb goes off.....

It's all about perspective, isn't it?

I know the ocean is beautiful but to experience it from above is magnificent. Everything looks different when you can see the big picture.

Again....the light bulb goes off....

Most of the time I am so focused on my world only as I can see it now that I can't appreciate the beauty and mystery of life. I can't see the view of my life from a parasail. I wish I could. IF I could, I have a feeling I would be overcome by the tapestry that is being woven.

Sometimes I get glimpses of it, but I've not been allowed to see it the way I'd like to....still, I trust God that what He is doing is indeed beautiful.

Today was a little bit of a glimpse of what is emerging in my life. We have been working at a slow process of developing a volunteer Crisis response team in our city that involves multiple people, agencies, churches, etc. This was spurred on by a partnership that evolved as a result of the directed study I did last semester. Our local police chaplain and I have been very slowly working through this together. Today, the police chief of our city came to our meeting and reacted very positively to what we are trying to do. I almost wanted to pinch myself when he showed up and participated in our planning and discussion. Really, who would have thought I would get to be involved in something like this? I'm learning a lot as we go but I am grateful to have a seat at the table of our community leaders to discuss how to help our community when crisis occurs. It's just really cool to see something good come out of our efforts.

We also have some potentially unique opportunities to try to support young families in our community. I'm working on a proposal this week to see if we might could get a chance to be involved. I have no idea if it will pan out but the prospects of it are exciting.

I am trusting the view that God has of my life is an amazing one...not because of me but because of an amazing God who can and does and IS bringing beauty from ashes.

For God's work in my life....I am grateful.