I have been in the woods the past two days getting firewood out for the approaching winter. The past two evenings I’m complying with my health adviser to soak an hour in the jacuzzi adding 3 cups of Epsom salts and two cups of Bicarb of soda. Thus far, I’ve been awaking the next morning refreshed and ready for more. But just now minutes ago, after the soak, I was suddenly wide awake and after 20 minutes of tossing, I felt compelled to just get out of bed and write about today. It irks me to waste time tossing and fortunately, it seldom occurs.
So in my last post I spoke of honestly being transparent of the twists and turns as my life journey unfolds. And that elevates the stakes a tad as such honesty may well implicate Loretta as well. But such is not the case in this post as it all relates only to me.
I was really planning on being in the woods before 8 am but then the quarterly visit from my friendly alienpestcontrol.com called being nearby so I obliged him. Now I can at least wash the windows since he sprays during the fall visit. I also got detained by some desk work but finally by 10:30 am I was parked in the woods with the two wheel trailer in tow looking at just where to begin. It was a most tranquil scene. The cascading sunshine was filtered by the numerous tall trees throughout the surrounding area and over the “transport ready” beech and cherry chunks that had been cut earlier. I was picking up the smaller pieces not needing to be split to make it easier for us to navigate the wood splitter on the 21st when I have two muscular high school youth coming for a few hours to split the 30+ trunk slices that likely weigh 100-200 lbs. I’ll borrow neighbor Grandpa Martin’s pristine historical “cant hook” to help move them in exchange for several boxes of Smith Ice Cream.
So imagine, here I am just totally enjoying the surrounding beauty, thanking God that I’m even able to function in this capacity after last year. I then again ask him to protect me from danger today as well as to bless Loretta’s lunch with her friend Donna from Smithville High School days. As I recall, I spent some more time dwelling on some names of persons currently demanding more prayer time, and just enjoying the tranquility of the deep timber.
Next, I’m prompted to text my coach, JD and say “OK, I’ve been reading Malcolm Gladstone’s book “David and Goliath” and find it full of interesting stories of thought provoking inspiration. Our mutual friend Matthew Kelly speaks often of the impact and significance of stories in helping listeners or readers connect the truths and concepts being shared.” And there was more I’ll not bore you with. In seconds he shot me back a response with a youtube link “Wake up call” that he and his daughter had just introduced to youtube and while I was watching that, he sent me the second of the series.
After watching both 12 minute segments, I just sat there stunned. True, I only have known JD 6 months but we have been thru some “appreciable stuff”together and he never gave me a hint of suffering a loss 6 years ago as I had nearly 47 years ago. I didn’t call JD. Eventually, I text him the following
“Oh JD! I had no idea what you’ve been thru. I will never forget sitting here in the woods this tranquil almost holy morning on September 11, 2019 watching you share these two YouTube’s. So unique that I’d experience all this from you this morning here in my woods while getting firewood out. You know I literally grew up in the woods. It was my escape place as a child and where my mother would take me for Sunday afternoon walks as our farm was adjacent to several sections of state acquired woods for back taxes. Literally a MN Appalachia! Perhaps that’s why I live in a remnant of a woods now. You reminded me of my loss 47 years ago and my leg breaking episode first anniversary coming up on the 18th. Good Stuff JD! Blessings as you challenge us all to heed our wake-up calls by first accepting God’s love, and then fully embracing and facilitating unconditional love in our spheres of influence.
Still reflecting, I shared the first segment with Loretta, our three sons and my sister. The time now was nearly noon and I had not even yet got off the tractor seat. I turned on the boom box and continued listening to “David& Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants” as I loaded and then unloaded and stacked. This book is definitely a must read for every believer desirous of engaging in pertinent conversation with unaware seekers or borderline lethargic believers on numerous fronts. More details on the book in a future post. It does reveal two most interesting pacifist accounts of an immigrant Winnipeg Mennonite couple and a French Huguenot community near Switzerland protecting and smuggling out Jews during the German occupation.
Seriously, I still had three more interruptions during the afternoon before I finished the book only to promptly begin going thru it the second time to catch what I missed earlier. I frequently do that. Two of the breaks were by believer disciples with both discovering a new approach to moving forward. So neat for me to be privileged to witness and be myself so encouraged by their growth.
And now as I conclude this unique and memorable day, the rain has indeed finally arrived, only 12 hours later than forecast the day prior, accompanied even by lightening and thunder. What is really strange about today was the thunder that periodically was heard at least in the Dalton area during bright sunshine from 1 pm on, when the rain was to have begun. Perhaps a tribute to the 2001 9/11?
I’m in my writing chair now in my office but I likely should have gone to the covered patio when I arose at midnight to fully enjoy the progression of the thunderstorm. It is now 2:30 am and I am fulfilled, and ready to retire. Never though was I expecting such a unique and meaningful day. I was to just going to get the wood out.
Blessings as You GO FORTH today accepting, implementing, and then fully embracing facilitating unconditional love in yours spheres of influence…. As we yet have breath, strength and opportunity to do so! merlin