Uphill idealist

I have this shelf in my office where I collect trinkets, photos and notes of encouragement. Many of the items are gifts from youth or adults that I've had the blessing of getting to know in ministry. Earlier today I looked up to the middle of the shelf to see the words - trust in God. I don't know why it seemed different today, but the words seemed to be saying they were capable of caring for everything and everyone represented in my shelf/and wall collection. I like that - very much. I really needed to be reminded that God can be trusted with the concerns on my own heart as well as all the lives that touch mine too. Holding on to "trust" and G-d. PS. When I posted this first picture, more youth/young adults from my church took notice of my shelf/wall and started adding to it as well. This is just one more way for me to pray for and entrust more of who and what I care for to G-d. To be continued...

Photo of me loving a huge tree on the coast of Lake Chautauqua on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution. Lessons from an old tree "Encased in marble, the letters were old. The spelling was odd, but not to far off to be told. The "U's" were exchanged for the letter "v" - the reason for this is far past what I can see. Discomfort, confusion, frustration and fear are fellows that hang around letters hard to hear. Their message is odd and hard to grasp; like something that made sense in years that have passed. Moving down a path where the shade is just right, the breeze is blowing and still-green leaves dance in sunlight. A fountain flows freely in the midst of this place, with Lilly pads floating in a pool of water with incredible grace. At the end of the path there was an enormous old tree, with branches reaching high even with all the age we could see. It stood proudly there in this place it had grown, half-facing the water and half-facing the stone. This ...

Albert Einstein said that Insanity is: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Some times I wish problems would simply disappear. The little Pollyanna in my head will distract me and by nature of the business of life; I am successfully distracted from dealing with what needs to be dealt with. The coming of the new year brings with it a multitude of resolutions for many people. Fill in the blank with whatever resolution has been buzzing about your mind..." This is the year that I will....: loose that weight, quit smoking, take that trip I've been dreaming of, and so on and so on. I don't mean to come off as sarcastic, but there is a clue (often one I've honestly missed) generally right before the word 'resolution' when people use it and it's "new". In order for a resolution to make an impact, it require some new perspective or motivation. In the last year, there were some issues that kept dogging me that I did not ...

There is a way to the place you long for, even if you are unsure how to get there. Just as your rise each morning to a new day trusting that the sun will come up- you also can trust me with your life. There is hope for hopelessness, abundance for need, grace for maneuvering through obstacles, and love; my love and the love of those I've surrounded you with - shining all around you. Relish in these blessings and follow me along the way. From sunrise to sunset, you are loved. Keep learning so that you can teach, and teaching so you can learn. T.L. Eastman October 2010 ( written at Women In Transition retreat/St. Benedict's Erie PA ) Image from White Wind Wildlife Society Webpage .