"Have a Shadow?"

We're home in TEXAS!  Oh, the marvelous sunsets.... oh, the dreadful heat!!  We haven't even reached scorching summer temperatures with repeated days close to 110 degrees.  Yet, this week, even this morning on a typical walk, I found myself seeking shade from the baking sun.  Just 20 seconds of shadow under miniature, neigborhood trees provided relief.  Also, on a pool visit with Kelly and friends, I had to find a shaded spot or their fun would have come to an unwelcome end after 30 minutes.  While I'm not the most fun Mom, even I know that would be torture for such sweet girls.  So, I found the perfect tree and relaxed with a good book by the pool, often distracted by thoughts of our time on a Greek island.  Throughout the week, reflections of Santorini filled my mind.  It was a most refreshing time away.  Gratitude overwhelmed us as we regretfully threw away trip documents.  Information about the island- sights, dining and travel tips were no longer needed.  All of that anticipation and preparation--- DONE!  We are left with a lifetime of memories and photo images to rehearse in our minds.  Even the customary Shutterfly photo book is finished and on its way to our home.

This morning, while seeking bits of shade on my walk, I recalled one of my favorite moments in Santorini and it made me smile.  On our very first morning, while overlooking the Aegean Sea and after enjoying a generous Greek breakfast , I rested on a lounge chair with my book.  The 70 degree temperature was ideal and the sun gently warmed my pasty white skin.  I thought to myself, "This is perfection!"  Just moments later, a Greek gentleman on the hotel staff popped by and kindly suggested, "Have a shadow?"  He wanted to put up the large umbrella to offer comfort and protection from the sun.  I declined his offer and thanked him happily.  Now this luxurious service is not something I'm acquainted with and I found it quite amusing and refreshing.  While the sun rays on a Texas summer day make you want to die, there was no need for refuge on that beautiful morning. 

Now, as we return to familiar routines at home, including much activity and the increasing Texas heat,  I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving to the Lord for his steadfast love and his goodness to us.  He graciously provided a restful and romantic time together.   Psalm 36 captures some of my thoughts after a week surrounded by the beauty of His creation.  With much praise, my soul finds peace and refuge from the worries of this life in the shadow of almighty God.   

"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God: your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.  How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life...."

Peaceful Paradise

On our final day in Santorini, Greece, a peaceful paradise, I'm thankful for God's sustaining grace during 20 years of marriage.   We've spent the past 6 days enjoying the still blue waters of the Aegean Sea.  In all of life, I've never experienced such calm and quiet surroundings, yet the origin of this circular island is from volcanic explosion. God created this beauty through violent eruption.  One of the highlights of our trip was a sunset sail with several American couples.  There were 2 sets of newlyweds on their honeymoon, one couple recently engaged in Santorini and another celebrating a significant birthday. During this evening of combined festivity, one of the men commented that many couples don't last 20 years.  As our evening progressed, the winds increased and the sea became quite rough.  One of the women became seasick and another bemoaned the waves crashing over us.  Quietly, I was delighted by it all.  Having no experience with sailing, I found the uneven water to be a thrill.  This outing seemed more symbolic of marriage than the typically tranquil and placid waters surrounding the island.  In the past 2 decades, God shaped and formed a beautiful, peaceful marriage for us, through rough waters and his most gracious blessings.  As we prepare to return home, to the real world, I'm struck by the overwhelming peace I feel in this place.  As a kindergarten teacher and a mother of teen girls, calm moments are a treasure in life, so each day I'm especially thankful for the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding.   Through His suffering and sacrifice, I have peace with God.   I am certain when I meet the Lord face to face one day, it will be in the midst of the most peaceful paradise.  I'm thankful for glimpses of eternity this week as we celebrate his goodness to us.

Anticipation

On the eve of kindergarten graduation and seeing the hopeful end of an overwhelming (literal) end of the year checklist, I'm struck by the contrast of experience regarding anticipation.  As some of you know, this year has been a tough year professionally.  While I've grown as a teacher, I've also witnessed student progress in unprecedented ways.  During challenging weeks in the classroom, I spent countless hours in the evening planning our 20th wedding anniversary trip.  Anniversary planning has provided much joy and encouragement throughout the school year.

With just under 2 days of school remaining, while packing a classroom and our luggage at the same time, the joy of travel preparation is gone.  A common cold makes me sound like a smoker with an increasingly irritating cough.  School and family details keep me focused and stressed.  I've never planned a trip overseas, so I have a long list of worries that keep me anxious, not to mention I have concerns about our girls going to camp in our absence.  Anticipation feels more painful than encouraging, just days before our glorious, long anticipated vacation.

Still, if my worst fears are realized, with eventful travels including missed connections or missing luggage, the expectation of the past seven months has provided nothing but encouragement.  The trip is a success before we even leave the city simply because of the joy of anticipation.

In the midst of a fallen world with challenges and hardship as a guarantee, anticipation of paradise with the Lord provides hope and encouragement to my weary soul.  While earthly pleasures, including desirable travel destinations, may prove to be stressful and possibly unsatisfying, I have no doubt eternity in the presence of almighty God will be overwhelming and nothing but perfection.  My hope and prayer continues to be that Christ lifts my eyes to Him,  His kingdom and to my heavenly destination in profoundly practical ways that bring joy during difficult seasons of life.  His faithfulness continues to astound me as I reflect on this school year and his abundant goodness to me and to the precious students he brought into my life.