Earth-Pod Girl

24 hours has never seemed like a long time to me, but yesterday it was.  Yesterday, I was cranky, discouraged, and frustrated.  Really not a good combination for anyone.  Honestly, I didn't really have any reason to feel this way.  I was telling myself to snap out of it.  I was explaining to my head that I had the gift of life, shelter, food, clothing, etc., but my heart was just not listening to my head.  I hate that when it happens.  It was just a storm in my heart that seemed to be raging.  I am glad that most of the time I don't deal with this kind of thing.  

I managed to get myself to work.  I even managed to get myself to worship.  (Where I am currently working on the Big Island, we have a fabulous all campus worship time on Monday morning.)  As worship drew to a close, I was completely unaware of the delightful surprise that awaited me in the next few moments.  As worship was nearing the end, I slide my feet into cushy flip-flops and proceeded to saunter back towards the kitchen.  That is when I encountered her again.  Earth-Pod Girl.  I had met her on Saturday.  In fact, we had even sat in a volcanic formed tide pool for over an hour and she spoke of her past; her passions; her heartbreak; and her desire for more of God.  I was enthralled with this amazing girl's story.  She was smart, plucky, fun, and wounded.  You see, we share a passion for using the world's trash in reusable ways to help the poor.  In particular, she wants to use recycled trash to build "earth-pod"  structures for the poor of the world to live in.  As we had parted our ways on Saturday, I wondered if I would have an opportunity to chat with her again.  Little did I know what God had in store.  

On this morning, as I departed the Ohana Court, Earth-Pod girl planted herself in front of me.  With a silly grin on her face and a floppy straw hat on her head, she said, "I want to encourage you this morning.  Can I pray for you?"  I just looked at her and heard myself say, "Sure."  Sometimes I am amazed at myself and just how detached I am.  Anyway, she started praying.  Well...really she was proclaiming what she was seeing in her heart and what the Lord was whispering to her ears.  She spoke in fragments, pausing as if listening for the next bit of words.  Each fragment she spoke pierced my heart and deflated the discouragement that had implanted itself and taken over.  Her words chased the crankiness out of the chambers where it had lodged and taken root.  Mostly though, her words took the pieces of my frustration and seemed to rearrange them in a way that let me get a glimpse of where the Lord and I are journeying.  

Thank you Earth-Pod girl for helping this Plank-Eyed Girl.

Enjoy the gift of today.  You never know when God will place someone in front of you.

Until we chat again,

Plank-Eyed Girl

Embracing the Adventure

An uncomfortable hush fills the space I am in.  A distinct rumble starts to invade the air and I find an odd comfort in it.  I can feel my body being pushed and held flat against the fake, blue leather chair I am perched in. A double ding clearly provides permission to connect to the wireless outside world.  This is the tenth time in the last 365 days I have lived this.  Each time I am utterly elated and simultaneously mystified.

Strangers surround me in this incredibly heavy, long metal tube.  They sit within inches of me.  My mind races wondering where they are headed and why?  Together, we are journeying to thesame geographic   island, yet no words are spoken and no eye contact is made.  40,000 feet up above the soil and water that comprise the planet on which I reside, I silently converse with God about all that I am leaving behind to embrace an adventure that I have no control over.

On this day, I am leaving behind so many things that define me.  This realization peppers my reality.  I am ultra aware that when I awake tomorrow, no one will know or care what I do for a living.  No one will know or care for whom I work.  No one will know or care whose mom, wife, or daughter I am.  I will be part of a mix from all over this terra firma that is merging together to worship and serve.

On this day, I am leaving behind so many things that bring me security.  My cozy yellow cottage, so warm and welcoming.  My black and currently topless vehicle that allows me the freedom to go where ever I desire.  My "studio" that is filled with precious childrens books, as well as, gleaned and foraged art supplies. But most of all, oddly enough, I am leaving behind my favorite, gently-used yellow cardigan.

On this day, I am leaving behind many people that are embedded in my heart.  The "Precious One".    The "Gentle One".  The "Humble One".  But most of all, I am leaving behind many "seasoned" friends yet to be introduced to you.

Today, I release all these "things" that I am leaving behind. With one hand, I timidly slide it into my Creators and with the other, I hold it out and wide open to embrace this advenure in front of me and pick up the new discoveries.

Come with me as I journey.  My writing might not be perfect and clean but I promise to share my heart and authenticity as I skip through these next seven weeks.

He's got this.

Until we chat again,

- The Plank-Eyed Girl.