Wildflower Writes

  “Are you trying to teach me something, God?” This is what was going through my head as I walked to my car in the Meijer lot, with a quart of power steering fluid and a bottled Frappuccino. It was half an hour past the time I’d planned to be at work. One of my elderly car’s current issues is a leak that requires fresh power steering fluid every few days. I realized the night before that I’d need to get some first thing in the morning before taking my son to school. Except… we left the house late. I got to the gas station and realized I’d left my wallet at home, so I had to learn to use Apple Pay. I have it down to a science- pop the hood, remove the cap, insert the funnel, pour the fluid, replace the cap, close the hood. Except… when I pulled out of the parking space, I still had to force the steering wheel, and it’s usually an instant fix. I looked out into the lot and saw a puddle where my car had been. Apparently, I forgot to ensure the funnel was placed correctly. So $3.49

  Whenever asked, “what superpower would you most want?” (we are largely a Marvel household) I’ve always thought I’d like to read minds. It’s probably the curious wannabe psychologist within me that wants to know what makes people tick. Some people would choose to fly. I don’t know whether it’s the freedom of movement, the faster mobility, or the ability to see things from a higher perspective, but there’s something about the idea of soaring through the clouds that is attractive. In The Different Drum , M. Scott Peck said that the reason dragons are so common in ancient myths is that they represent the two sides of people- the physical that must crawl on the earth, and the spirit that can fly. When we forget we have the capability of the spirit, we trudge through the mud, unable to “[transcend}… our narrow-mindedness and sinful proclivities.”   Even if we can’t physically fly, we can reach new heights when we think about our lives beyond our bodies and our stuff and think about t

  Half a lifetime ago I was an athlete. One cross country season I wore a shirt emblazoned with “No pain, no gain.” I actually have the shirt in my closet- some memories I won’t let go. Athletes who hope to have any length of career listen to their bodies. They know when pain signifies muscle growth and strength and when it signals overuse and potential injury. They know when to push through the hard times to reach success and when to rest and recover to achieve long-term goals. Somehow, it seems easier to differentiate between good pain and bad pain in our bodies than in our spirits or hearts. Maybe other people are better at this, but I want to avoid any emotional pain. Just like the physical growth and strength that is gained in hard times, we have opportunities to grow when we’re uncomfortable or hurting or angry or scared. Characteristics like kindness and patience can develop out of these hard times, if we’re willing to push through the pain. No pain, no gain.

  In eight years of overnight scout camps, it hasn’t changed. Hours before departure, my son was trying desperately not to forget anything, and I was trying to be helpful. Knife? Deodorant? Glasses? “Eh, I don’t need my glasses at camp.” He’s slightly nearsighted, so glasses are usually reserved for school-related activities and driving. I knew he was pursuing a rifle shooting badge, and mentioned his glasses might be helpful in that activity. He reluctantly agreed and tucked them in a case and zipped them into a side pocket of his pack. Two days later, he was showing me the hole-riddled paper targets that demonstrated his success. He somewhat sheepishly admitted he tried to shoot on the first day without his glasses and was much more accurate when he wore them the next day. It reminded me how we sometimes spend a lot of energy trying to get things done but wonder why we don’t feel “successful.” For many things, it may be as simple as taking the time to focus on your target

  I've been daydreaming about traveling somewhere exotic for a spiritual retreat, complete with waterfront yoga, hot stone spa treatments, and luxurious accommodations. At the same time, I was dreading a weekend at home alone, with no plans until Sunday. I knew that if I really wanted to do something with someone, I just needed to take initiative, but I didn't have it in me. Sometimes the introvert within wins out.  At some point, it occurred to me... I want 24 hours for a spiritual retreat, and I have the luxury of the house to myself for two days. Connecting with myself and God doesn't require a special environment (or a lot of money). It just requires quiet and disconnecting from the world.  I didn't do the spiritual retreat (yet)- I want to plan ahead. I still listened to music, took a walk, shopped, wrote stuff, cleaned house, just like most Saturdays. Only my perspective has changed- I can connect with God while listening to music, walking in the woods, driving...

  I came across a thank you letter online, from a gentleman to a hairstylist. He had brought his wife who had Alzheimer’s to get her hair done. From the letter, the stylist had been very patient, allowing the husband to sit in front of his wife the whole time. Later he caught his wife smiling as she admired her new style in the mirror. It turned out to be the last time she had her hair done, and the writer was extremely grateful for that gift of love and joy in her last days. Coincidentally, I had my hair(s) cut yesterday as well. It is a boost of confidence when someone can bring the best out of your natural assets. What is just another half-hour appointment for my stylist was like magic to me.   We are all gifted by God to do good and serve others. We never know how God will use those gifts, however insignificant or commonplace they seem to us, to truly bless and encourage others. We can only make the most of what God has given us and let Him work out the rest.    

I was walking through Cobus Creek Park to get my miles in for a church group challenge, reminding myself to slow down and enjoy the journey. I was walking for distance, not speed. And since the full trail was only a couple miles long, I didn’t have to worry about getting “lost” (GPS on phone active, just in case).   I realized that while I was meandering down wooded trails, some people walk to actually get somewhere. That would require knowing where you wanted to end up, and if the path you’re on would take you there. According to Andy Stanley, life is a path. Some of us just wander, take the easiest path. Some of us know where we want to go, but we’re not on the right path to get there. Like considering weight loss while maneuvering through the buffet line. Some of us are on a path that leads nowhere, but either we’re in denial or just don’t care enough about ourselves to change direction. I couldn’t navigate through the woods without the signs along the way that tell me where d