Spring is Here! Friends, Foliage, and Fullness of Life

It was really good to hang out with Gabe and Becky for a few days. It reminded me of the important of community and responsibility to family. It was also great to finally meet them and their two sweet children! They were so kind and hospitable, and for once a child actually liked me more than they liked Adam!!!

The last few days the forest floor has been covered in tiny white and pink five-petaled flowers! Spring is here! The tiny (and not so tiny) green sprouts of plants are my favorite, though. I like how many of their leaves are already formed under the earth, and as they push up out of the dirt they uncurl, unfold, or untwist. What a wonder.

Quote from Nouwen, again (you wouldn't expect any less): "When you find your mind competing again, you might plan on 'empty time' of meditation, in this way interrupting the vicious circle of your ruminations and entering into the depth of your own soul. There you can be with Him who was before you came, who loved you before you could love, and who has given you your own self before any comparison was possible. In meditation we can come to the affirmation that we are not created by other people but by God, that we are not judged by how we compare with others but how we fulfill the will of God." Nouwen wrote this about his struggles with low self-esteem. Although my trouble is actually with high self-esteem, or, rather, pride (not in who I am, but in who I could or will be. Fantasizing about the future, as per usual), meditation is also a great practice to remind me of who I really am. "When I can say with Paul, 'Not I live, but Christ lives in me,' then I no longer need to depend on the attention of others to have a sense of self. Because then I realize that my most important identity is the identity I have received as a grace of God and which has made me a participant in the divine life of God Himself."(Nouwen, again. You can't get away from this guy in my blog!)

Here in Hot Springs we stopped by a Hiker Ministry - just a little building with couches, refreshments, computers, and a shower, all free of charge! The lemon cake and goat cheese where my two favorite snacks there, although the cup of chai was delicious as well (I'm trying to stop drinking coffee...). I grabbed a book off their shelf to look at, something about Women and Nature: Poetry and Photos. As I took a step back to retreat to the couch, I noticed another, much smaller book that had been hiding behind the testament to Woman's artistic, natural side: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. Not only was the title regarding my present goal for my hike (Practicing the Presence of God), but it was newly translated by a Delaney! Not just any Delaney, but one that shares the same name as my brother and grandfather - John! And to top it all off, the Foreword was written by none-other than the author of the book I am reading right now - Henri Nouwen! All signs pointed to me snagging this book. I asked, and the hostess looked a little perplexed, but then decided to make the executive decision to give it to me (it wasn't her book or her building, so kudos to her for her courage). I am looking forward to reading it!