My first Jason Crabb concert.... Soddy, Daisy TN

A week ago Friday night (September 27th) I went to my first Jason Crabb concert.  My husband had seen him lead worship at a Calling All Men United Methodist Men gathering a couple of years back, but that was him.

Earlier in September (or the end of August) I had dropped off some books for our Wednesday night Bible Study at a friend's house and was heading home.

That's when I saw the sign for the upcoming Jason Crabb concert at the end of September.  It was to be held at the church now occupying the former Winn Dixie on the corner of Hixson Pike and Dayton Bld.

I contacted a friend whom I knew would be interested because she and husband are Gaither groupies and have seen Jason Crabb several times too.  It worked out that she would be able to go that night.  Her husband would be at a football game.  I could go, because my papers were due that day and a concert would be a great way to celebrate.  She invited my daughter to come along, but I thought there was something going on at the school that evening.  That turned out to be during the day.  My friend thought her son would enjoy the concert too.

So, on a gorgeous Friday evening, I was blessed to worship at the Freedom Worship Center in Soddy Daisy, TN with my step son and his mom.

When I got there, the first thing I saw when I pulled in was the red bus.  Awesome!  Big and red!

I was hoping my friend would want to check it out when she arrived.  She did!  We walked over and took some pictures.  She said her husband would have been over there talking to the bus driver.  And, he would have been. ☺  He's a great guy and friendly.  He strikes up conversations with folks.  They have pictures with him and the bus drivers at various concerts... and pictures of both of them with the artists.

We got our tickets and went inside.  The line was already snaking around the outside of the sanctuary.  When the doors opened at 6:30, we got the last row of padded chairs on the left side. 

The music was great!  Jason plays a variety of styles..... from gospel to rock to blues!  He played "Sweet Home Alabama" with some different lyrics and then offered to play an Eagles song because the audience had gone wild over that one.  But, then he said he didn't really have a song ready with changed lyrics.  Oh, well. The blues song was fun.  It was also fun when he started singing some old hymns from days gone by.  "I'll Fly Away" is one of my favorites.  I like to fly with that one.  It was neat to see so many people enjoying the hymns.

Jason sang songs from the past and songs from his new release, "Love is Stronger".  The title song is powerful.  So is the song "Give".  A video was just released this week for "Love is Stronger".  It is now available via YouTube, so I'll include it in this post.

Whether you're familiar with Jason and the Crabb family or not, I would encourage you to check out his music. 

For me, the night was a blessing in many ways: to be able to worship after working hard to get papers turned in, to spend some time with my step son and his mom, to focus on God, to witness a little two year old singing the words to some of the songs...

Because of God's redeeming love, grace, and forgiveness, I am able to be in relationship with my step son's mom.  It is God's amazing grace that has built the bridge and foundation over these years and I continue to be grateful for the grace and the relationship that has resulted!

Thank you God!  Thank you Janice!

Here are a couple of the pictures I took with my phone at the concert.  Though we weren't too far away from the stage, the lighting made Jason shine like a light bulb.  The close up I got of him was when he was handing out Compassion International children packets.  It's a little fuzzy. 

Now, for some of Jason Crabb's music...

"GIVE"-- lyrics:

Everybody's reaching for something
Everyday pulling and tugging
Always wanting a little more
Holding on to hurt like an anchor
Treating those we love like strangers
Taking names and keeping score

We all know, what we're really after
Cause somewhere along the road
We got it backwards

[Chorus]
If you wanna give love then give it
If you wanna feel some forgiveness
You gotta let go and do some forgiving of your own
If you want a friend then be one
A little bit of kindness shows up
You'll be surprised in how much finds its way back home
It don't matter what it is
But if you want it, give

I've been downright stubborn
At one time or another
Found it's easier to bend
I've had a shoulder to lean on
Been the one who got to be strong
And was waiting at both ends
I felt that power, I've seen what it can do, yeah

[Chorus]

"LOVE IS STRONGER"-- lyrics:

 

You went down one of those roads
Nobody should have to go
Life sure got real, real fast
You couldn't see your way out
Your world was under a cloud
All you could feel was helpless
You didn't think you could do it
Oh but you got through it

 

chorus: You kept faith when you didn't have a prayer
Found hope when it wasn't even there
Up against the impossible you
just wouldn't back down
You kept fighting
That heavy cross you carried
Ain't weighing you down any longer
Life is tough
But love is stronger

 

You're finally facing the sun
Your brighter days have begun
Look at you now, just soaking it in
You're smiling, you're laughing
You're happy, you're living
Every moment surrounded by
All the beautiful reasons why

 

Repeat Chorus Twice

LOVE IS STRONGER OFFICIAL VIDEO:

In addition to the awesome music, Jason shared from his children's books he has written and introduced Jase, the crab, an adorable stuffed animal.  You can tell that Jason has a heart for God and others in the way he talks and interacts with people. 

Check out his website if you're interested in knowing more about him, his music, his books, his ministry.  Click here.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

A morning walk.... a view.... a reflection from the Psalms

North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Natural Wilderness Area

 

Today's morning walk makes #3 this week.   I've been a mile and a half at a former middle school walking track, a mile at a local greenway, and today, a mile and a half at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Natural Wilderness Area.

 

It was a cool morning.  Perfect for a morning walk.  A great way to start the day.

 

 

The sounds of the birds and the running water were delightful music to my ears!  The sights of the leaves beginning to change colors, some of the wildflowers and ferns, the rushing water, and the still pools of deeper water were nature's art museum for my eyes!  And the fresh smell of nature was refreshing for my lungs.

 

I have been encouraged and motivated by a Facebook page called Sight Psalms.  It is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.  You will find photographs connected with Scripture.

 

 

I have picked Psalm 78:14-16 to go with the photograph at the top of today's post:

 

 (NRSV)

¹⁴ In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
    and all night long with a fiery light.
¹⁵ He split rocks open in the wilderness,
    and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
¹⁶ He made streams come out of the rock,
    and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

 

 

Wherever you find yourself today on your journey, maybe you can take a moment to stop and drink deeply from the abundance provided for you.  It is available.  

 

For me, it is the grace provided by God in and through many situations and circumstances. 

 

As I breathed in the freshness of the creation on my walk this morning, I couldn't help but recall the hymn, "Breathe on me, breath of God".  It is the breath of God that created me and sustains me.

 

 

 

This is another day along my adventurous journey.  It is well with my soul.

 

May it be so with yours!

 

Debra

 

 

 

 



 

Risking vulnerability...

Today I stepped out of my comfort zone in a way that I would really have preferred not to.

You see, next Thursday (weather permitting), I will be stepping off a cliff with an instructor to hang-glide for my very first time.  Now, THAT is the stepping out and stepping off that brings me excitement from the fear.  Though scary, it will be an adventure.  I am truly looking forward to being in the air, in the sky, and experiencing the wind, the silence, the freedom!  I will write more about this later.

But you needed to see the contrast to understand more clearly what today's stepping out meant for me.  Today I finally stopped at the brick house to see if I could speak with the owner.  What brick house am I referring to?  (See posts at the bottom of this post for further reading.)

The one I have been praying over and for... for at least the past two years.  I first started praying for this house when we were looking for locations for My Sister's House, a ministry that offers clothing (primarily) to women going into the work force for the first time or after an extended time off for whatever reason.  Other services are offered, often through connections and referrals.

That brick house just simply stood out as an excellent location for ministry in the Hixson area.  And, I wasn't the only one who thought so.  It simply didn't happen.

Because my schedule changed unexpectedly, I stopped by there on my way home.  I was nervous.  I mean, who in their right mind stops by a business to meet the owner and tell her you've been praying over her building for several years!?!?  It sounds a little wacky!!  Now you see why it was (is) out of my comfort zone.  What I was doing was risking vulnerability.  I was putting myself out there to really be seen as "out there".  Those of you who know me (and those who read me regularly) may be asking yourselves 'what is so odd about that?  you are out there.'  And, you are right.  I don't always do things the way others do. 

I pulled into the driveway and pulled around back.  Gulp!  There were quite a few cars back there.  Of course, that is excellent for business, but one doesn't want too many witnesses to one's confession of praying for the building and the business. ☺

I walk around front and enter the business.  I am greeted by two young bright and cheerful voices and faces at the welcome counter.  The front room looks and smells amazing! (Aveda products). 

In my ignorance, I asked if "Chloë" was working today.  They said she wasn't and then explained that the shopped was named for a grandmother.  They explained that the owner was busy with customers.  I mentioned something about just stopping by wanting to share something with her about the building and that I knew a customer of hers.  Maybe sensing something special OR deciding they needed help in the front room, one of the girls offered to go check in the back for the owner.

A few moments later the owner came out.  I introduced myself, noting that the name didn't mean anything.  I mentioned my friend who had mentioned she was a client.  Then I told her I had been praying for this building for over two years.  I told her that I had been praying that God would use it and bless it.  I shared with her that once I learned it was going to be her business, that I continued to pray for it and her business.  And, I do.  I still pray for that house as I drive by.  Maybe not all the time, but it still catches my eye.  Just now I pray for the salon, the owner, and those who enter. 

It was weird doing this today.  But, for me, it was something I needed to do, something I wanted to do.  I wanted to let her know that she and her business had been prayed for. 

I felt vulnerable.  And, a little sad as I walked out the door and got back in my car.  Yet, at the same time, I know that all things work together for good.

Risking vulnerability isn't easy.  Ever.  It means putting ourselves out there. 

Today was worth it for me.  I hope the owner didn't think I was too crazy.  It's okay, though, if she did.

If you're local, and you're looking for a salon, check it out: Chloë Hair Colour & Design.  It's on 5922 Hixson Pike, Suite 112.  Their phone number is 423-842-0556.  Mindy Kelly is the owner and certified color educator.

Check out their Facebook page by clicking here.

Here's a quote by Brené Brown I saw recently on the SoulCare Project Facebook page:

"Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection. When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make." -Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly


Take a few moments and read over the quote.  Chew on it for a while.

I liked the quote so much that I ordered the book to see what else Brené had to say in that book.  I'll let you know when I get the chance to read it. 

I engaged in my own vulnerability today.  It wasn't anything huge; but it was something.  I walked into an arena, a very nice smelling one.  I don't know what, if anything was accomplished.  Or, if there was anything meant to be accomplished.  What I do know is that I followed through on something I knew I was called to do.

What in your journey would allow you to risk and engage in your own vulnerability?

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

Past blog posts about the brick house:

Letting Go... (August 27, 2013)Questioning the Direction, or Lack Thereof... (February 28, 2013)

Folding clothes with Pandora...

I took a paper-writing break to fold some laundry.  Not only did I need a mental break, I needed to physically change my position from being at the computer and writing/typing.  So, what better thing to do than fold laundry?!?  [I imagine we all could come up with answers, but it needed to be done!]

I didn't simply want to "fold laundry."  I wanted and needed a refreshing filling for my heart, mind, and soul during this "break" from thinking and writing.  [Who knew that folding laundry could be a "refreshing filling" in this way?!?!]

So, I took my smart phone with me into the laundry room, pulled up the Pandora application (app) and did a search for Keith Green.  Pandora is new for me.  I just started using it this month when I went for my first intensive weekend at Asbury.  I really hadn't gotten into before then.  But, I had heard mention of the "liquid minds" channel as something helpful for sleeping and thought that might be good for my travels.  And, so it has been!  So, today, I was fearful to use "liquid minds" for folding laundry with the rain still coming down outside.  I could see a nap rather than accomplishing folding.  But, then again, sometimes the most refreshing and spiritual thing one can do IS take a nap.

Not today.  I searched for Keith Green and found him.  Pandora gave me only one Keith Green song though.  Then, I heard, "Give me Jesus."  What was so odd about that was that this was the song that the students had chosen to sing this morning at Prayer at the Pole at Hixson Middle (in the rain this morning).  They used the Jeremy Camp version and sang along to the chorus.  The version that came up on Pandora was Fernando Ortega.  He sang the entire song.  His singing touches me.  Always has.  Whether it has anything to do with him being Hispanic/Latino or not, I don't know.  It might. He has been here in Chattanooga a couple of times in concert and I've been able to attend.  It is always worshipful.  Just like this afternoon.  Hearing him sing the song penetrated to my soul.

Folding laundry is one of those ordinary tasks in life.

However, there are ways in which the ordinary can become extraordinary and even sacred when there is an intentional focus in the midst of it.

Today, folding laundry was sacred for me.  It was a time of refreshing filling and rest. 

Unfortunately, I only got 1/2 of the pile folded (1 load full) and decided I should write about my experience.

Now, whether I get back to writing the paper or laundry folding or who knows what.... is yet to be seen.

But, for you, I have this video link of Fernando Ortega singing "Give me Jesus".

 

Jeremy Camp:

 

 

Lyrics:

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May something along your journey go from "ordinary" to "extraordinary" and "sacred" today!

Blessings,

Debra

Hello.... I'm a seminarian.

This is going to be an odd post for some, maybe for many.  Okay, probably for all.

Today, I was struck with the realization of something so profound, yet so simple, that I really should have already known it.  I am in seminary.  (Now, for those of you who know me, you're possibly saying 'duh!' 'we knew that. how did you not know that?!'  For those of you who read the blog, I've mentioned it a few times and you're probably wondering what in the world?!?!)

I will attempt to explain the awakening.

But first.

Hello, my name is Debra and I am a seminarian.

It is important for me to say that.  You see, I do know that I'm in seminary.  I realize that I've been in seminary since 2007, that I've completed a Certificate of Christian Studies, and that I am currently working toward a Masters in Divinity (M.Div.).  I can also tell you I'm in seminary based on the amount of books I'm reading, the papers I'm writing, and the amount of money that is disappearing from bank accounts.

But, I really haven't been telling myself or anyone else that I am in seminary.  I know.  People know. 

Yet I haven't really been fully living into being a seminarian.

What do I mean by that?

First, I mean that I haven't always prioritized my life to reflect that seminary is what it is-- a fairly difficult educational journey.  I have put it as a priority in my life in that I have guarded most of my time and energy to allow my time, energy, and space (outside of family) to go into studies, but there has been this non-spoken wall or barrier or cloud that has almost seemed like it wasn't truly real.

That may be odd to say now that I am 2/3 into the M.Div. program and realizing I am a seminarian. 

Maybe it is because I am 2/3 into the M.Div. program and I have these next two years to finish well (to finish... period!) that I am now ready to be open to the fact that I am a seminarian.  I don't exactly know.

What I do know is that during my time with my spiritual director this morning and through our conversation and the leading of the Holy Spirit, there was one of those "a-ha light bulb" moments in which I realized I have not been living into my true self as a seminarian.

When I was on the Asbury Wilmore campus for the first time this past June, I bought a t-shirt that says "Asbury Seminary" on it.  I have worn it a couple of times, but I'm hesitant to wear it in public.  About as hesitant as I've been to claim I'm a seminarian.

As I've been reflecting on my newfound discovery, I'm recognizing that some of my hesitancy has been due to fear.

Folks may ask me theological questions that I won't be able to answer, much less understand if they learn I'm in seminary.  This could very well happen.  And, you know what?!!? It's okay if it does.  I learned in my years of teaching that it is okay for me to say things like: I don't understand.  I don't know.  I will be glad to look it up for you.  Let's explore that together.  Etc.  Yet, somehow, what I learned in teaching has taken a while to catch up with me in this context.

Another fear has likely been that of failure.  What if I really can't do this stuff?!?!  I think I face that almost every semester, to be honest.  That's not a new fear.  I faced that with my Master's in Spanish.  I have shared before that learning doesn't come easy for me.  I have to work hard at it.  My undergraduate grades were not strong, even though I had strong high school grades.  I learned the hard way how to learn how to learn.  I learned my learning styles.  That is why I taught learning how to learn and learning styles so much in my teaching years.  I would say that this fear of failure, though real, is unfounded because I do have a Master's degree in Spanish, from SUNY Stony Brook.  I do have a Certificate in Christian Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary with 35 credits of graduate study.   Now that I am at this 2/3 mark, it is fairly clear that I can do this.  I am not claiming to do this solely in my own strength and capabilities, however.  I believe that I have been carried through by friends and prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit as I have asked for strength from all of those areas.

There might even be the fear of 'if I claim to be a seminarian, folks are going to want to know what I'm going to do with this'.  Just like in college and in graduate school days, folks would ask 'what are you going to do with foreign languages?'  I had my ideas, but I didn't really think I'd teach.  Well, not until I started the teaching assistantship in graduate school and loved teaching and saw and felt how that fit me very well.  I have ideas.  I know some of the gifts and graces I have.  I know how I feel called.  But, where will I end up?  That I don't know.  And, truthfully, I'm okay with that.  I trust that my gifts and graces will find a place to shine the light and love of God in the Kingdom in the ways that are needed when the time is right.

So, there.  The truth is out.  The cat is out of the bag, so to speak.

Now you know that I know... I am a seminarian.

And, just so you know.... Yes, I have made changes in my life and schedule to give me more time, space, and energy to focus on my coursework so that I can also have time, space, and energy for family, ministry, and friends. 

I learned from my spiritual director that the Episcopal seminarians are expected to put everything else aside and focus solely on studies.  They also have regular "ember papers" based on the Isaiah passage of unclean lips where they share how they are doing spiritually, academically, etc.  Accountability basically.  That sounded like the self-care/soul-care that my former boss and pastor Nathan Malone instituted with us as staff when I was part-time Director of Missions.  We reported our self-care bi-weekly to him-- how we were doing in the areas of spiritual life, personal relationships, recreation, and I'm missing one here.  In my mentored ministry classes we did something similar.  I happened to be on staff and taking mentored ministry at the same time PLUS going through the Academy at the same time, so I had LOTS of accountability for self-care / soul care at the time. 

It is my personal belief that we don't take enough time in our lives for self-care or soul care nor do we allow others the authority into our lives enough to hold us accountable so that we can grow.  I hope to be an example that doing less can be doing more in the long run when it comes to NOT filling our calendars and plates and that self-care and soul care as a priority IS a vital part of ministry.

It is an ongoing learning process for me.  Isn't everything?!?!  For me it is. 

So, as I started, I will end.

Hello, my name is Debra and I am a seminarian.

What part of your life do you need to claim and live into today?

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

From the river to the mountain...

Back in May 2010 I bought two journals I found in a quaint store in Apalachicola on a girls' trip to Cape San Blas, FL.  The memories of the sand, surf, and sunsets still can bring me to a peaceful place!  The two journals that I bought were: Advice from a River and Advice from a Mountain, guided journals from "Your True Nature".  [Check out their website for their various products.]

I decided to start using the Advice from a River journal when I began my Academy #32 journey in July 2011.  I came to the last pages of that journal this past weekend on my 2nd intensive weekend for my seminary ethics class on the Wilmore campus. 

I have been carrying around the Advice from a Mountain journal with me for months, not really knowing when I would run out of pages. 

I had forgotten what the inside of Advice from a Mountain said and back in the Spring when I was preparing for a talk for an Emmaus walk, I pulled it out to take a look at it.  I realized that as I was nearing the end of my Academy journey, the Advice from a River (going with the flow) journal was also coming to an end.  My first thought (fear) was that the next journal was going to say something about climbing steep and difficult terrain.  I wasn't so sure that I really wanted to use this journal. 

But when I opened it up, the first words on the opening page of the journal were: "Dear friend...Reach new heights"

That was much different than what my fearful thoughts had anticipated.

I could live into this new part of the journey.  Though I have been enjoying the river ride and going with the flow, I can live into reaching new heights.  "Going with the flow" wasn't simply a journal saying.  It was something that came from my husband as I shared a deeper calling back in 2006 on a mission trip and I wondered what it meant at the time.  His response was to "go with the flow".  And, I have been.  We have been.  And, oh what a wonderful journey this is turning out to be!

Even as I embark on this new realm of reaching new heights, I doubt I'll be too far from the river.  One finds both waterfalls and rivers near mountains.  I imagine that I will have some opportunities to still "go with the flow" and live into the other aspects of the first journal.

Ilan Shamir has created these beautiful nature journals. 

In the "Story of Advice from a Mountain" Ilan shares:

"The mountains, the rivers, the wildflowers, and the cloud patterns calm me in the midst of yet another busy day. [...] Sure, there are those days when I feel on loose ground, not sure of where I stand and not firm about who I am or my convictions, yet the mountains and timeless beauty of nature help me return to solid ground...the strength of my own true nature."

Because I am learning to know myself  and my Creator better, I know that one of my better connections with my Creator is within creation, so  this resonates with me.  As do many of the Psalms that bring out the beauty and power of God's creation. 

On the back of the journal there is a synopsis of what this journal is all about:

"Reach new heights!

Savor life's peak experiences

Stand in the strength of

Your True Nature

Rise above it all

Get to the point

Rock on!"

Standing in the strength of my true nature is a place of continued learning and growth for me.  But, ultimately, it means standing in who I was created to be.  It's that journey of learning who this unique creation is and living it out that adds to the adventure!

The longer version is inside the journal:

"Dear friend

Reach new heights

Savor life's peak experiences

There is beauty as far as the eye can see

 

Stand in the strength of Your True Nature

Be Uplifting

Follow the trails of the Wise Ones

 

Protect and preserve timeless beauty

silence, solitude, serenity

flowing rivers

ancient trees

 

Rise above it all

Make solid decisions

Climb beyond your limitations

Leave no stone unturned

Never take life for granite

 

Get to the point

Patience, patience, patience

Life has its ups and downs

Let your troubles vanish into thin air

 

To summit it all up

Enjoy the journey step by step

 

Rock on!"

 

~Ilan Shamir

 

I have approximately two years left of seminary to finish out my M.Div. degree.  I'm at 63 hours, very close to 2/3 of the way done for the 96 credits.  With the 5 credits this semester (praying for satisfactory completion and decent grades!) I will be up to 68 credits. 

 

I wonder if this journal will carry me these next two years like the river journal carried me the past two years?!?!  Who knows?!?! 

 

What I do know is that I am looking forward to continued adventures along the journey.   I look forward to learning, growing, and sharing these times with you.

 

How is your journey going?

 

Debra

 

PS-- For a link to a blog entry about my Advice from a River journal, you can check it out by clicking on the title: Advice from a river.... Go with the flow.



Moulting... shedding the old skin

This is a picture of a snake skin that my daughter is proudly and excitedly holding.  One of my former pastors and friends (though not "former" in that respect ☺) would call us when she found "cool" things in her yard that Charlotte might like.  A snake skin and a baby turtle were two of those finds.  Her home was situated near the lake and she got cool nature visitors like that.   This was a couple of years back (probably more like 3-4) when my daughter was in elementary school.  But, I don't have many pictures of snake skins in my picture albums.  And I needed one for this post.

A snake skin picture?  For a blog post?  Really?!?!  Yep!  Didn't you see my title?!?  "Moulting... shedding the old skin"

This is a topic I've been thinking about recently.  Not snakes or their skins or even moulting, but rather the process of shedding the old skin.  And though I could continue with the analogy of pruning or even use the change analogy of the cocoon (also a moulting process), there is something in particular to this moulting process of shedding the skin that not only intrigues me, but fits as I reflect on my life.

The process of moulting.  [First, let me note that in my undergraduate days in college I studied geology.  I am not an expert on this matter, but have looked briefly into it.]

Moulting can also be spelled molting.  It is "the process of shedding an external skeleton for the purpose of growth or change in shape" (Encyclopedia Britannica on molt)

As a snake outgrows its skin, it grows a new one.  But since it no longer fits in its old skin, the snake must discard its old skin in order to live into the new one that is underneath.

Though we don't take the time to think about it (because it happens differently for us as humans), our skin is constantly shedding (flaking off) and renewing too.  We're not necessarily outgrowing our old skin as is a snake or a turtle (shell), but we are being renewed.

And, it is that renewing process that has caused me to ponder and reflect.

Just as our bodies are renewed, our minds and our souls go through renewals as we learn, grow, and change.

More than likely, we are not in the same place emotionally, relationally, or spiritually that we were ten, twenty, or thirty years ago.  Hopefully we have taken opportunities to learn, grow, and change over those years and we're in a different place.  Hopefully we've learned and are in a deeper state of maturity in those areas than we once were.  Yet, realistically, there will always be learning, growing, and changing in our lives.

How or why did I even get on this thought pattern of a snake wriggling its way out of its old skin?

Because I have felt like I have been going through a change process, once again.  And, there have been times when I feel like I'm squirming along on the hard surface simply attempting to break free of the old skin.  I can't always even name it, the changes I sense in my heart, mind, and soul.  But, they are there. 

I found this article about snakes shedding their skin from "wise Geek": (I have included a small portion.)

"The shed skins of snakes often arouse curiosity among those who find them, but in actual fact, all animals shed their skins. This is not obvious in mammals such as humans, as it is an ongoing, unnoticed, process in which dead cells are continuously coming off. Reptiles, however, are different in that they shed periodically, and in the case of snakes, the entire skin normally comes off in one piece, a procedure that can be likened to removing a sock. This shedding is not without purpose: snakes replace their skins to allow for growth, as well as to remove parasites along with the old skin.

 

As a snake grows, its skin becomes stretched and worn. A point is reached when it cannot accommodate further growth, so a new skin grows underneath. When this is complete, the old skin will be discarded, along with any parasites it may have picked up. The new skin retains the same patterns and colors as the old. 

Mechanism

Prior to shedding, a snake’s skin becomes pale and dull, and the eyes turn a bluish-white shade. This is due to a layer of fluid building up between the old skin and the new one underneath. During this period, captive snakes may be nervous and irritable, possibly because they cannot see properly until the old skin becomes detached from the head. They will not normally eat in the days leading up to shedding and will tend to hide, as they are vulnerable at this time."

 

Like the snake's irritability during a period prior to shedding, I can become irritable when I'm going through spiritual change and/or my life is spiritually out of balance.  I know that the analogy really can't be taken too far.... my spiritual skin doesn't come off in one piece as I grow.  Nor can I sew my shadow back on if I lose it (sorry to mix analogies, but Peter Pan and his shadow just jump right in here too for some reason ☺). 

The bottom line is that change is inevitable.  I'm either going to grow or grow stagnant.

I prefer to grow by shedding the old skin and learning to live into the new skin. 

Learning, growing, changing.... being open to learning, growing, changing.... it isn't easy.

But, that's where grace, wonderful grace comes in.  It flows in.  It fills in the gaps and helps me through the processes of learning, growing, and changing.  Good thing!

If you see me squirming around and irritable, it might simply be that my old skin has gotten too tight and I've outgrown it and it is time for me to shed the old skin and live into the new skin underneath. 

This analogy may not work for you, but it came to my mind and caught my attention.  I sometimes have odd thoughts relating to spiritual growth and how it works in my life.

Find another analogy that works for you.  The main point is to keep growing, keep learning, and may grace be a part of the process!

Blessings on your journey!

Debra

PS-- If you've never seen a snake shed its skin, check out this video on You tube here.