Returning

Sunset in San Miguel, oil on canvass, 16 x 20

As this Sabbath moment comes to a close I am grateful for the sustaining grace in all things.

I spent two months in San Miguel, each day studying Spanish, painting, and spending time with dear friends we have made over the years – a beautiful, refreshing place that has become a second home.  After San Miguel, I had a week with my son and his family, time with my grandchildren.  The last month has been at home attending to projects for which there has never been time: cleaning out the attic, the pantry, and the home office, working in the yard, planting grass, cutting the ivy creeping up the trunks of the trees, fixing landscaping lighting.  Numerous construction garbage bags full of stuff that long ago needed to be thrown away. Cleaning house.  Seems like a metaphor for things in life that need attention that often get pushed to the side – “when I get time I’ll do it.”  The need to let go of things that have cluttered space and time and life. 

oil on paper, 12 x 16

I’m grateful for the time to paint and the places it took me, about worrying less about creating a pretty picture and finding a way to express inner creativity and perhaps, just perhaps, letting something new happen without having to be overly controlling – for which I am hoping to bring into my work and ministry life.

I am appreciative of my staff and the vestry, the leadership, and community of St. Bartholomew’s that has made the sabbatical time possible.  And I am thankful for John’s support that is always there.

May there always be Sabbath rests in our lives – a day, a moment, to be more keenly aware of the grace that permeates all things – all things – all things – even me and you.  Grace will show you things and perhaps sometimes it is in the cracks that it makes its way in.

 “Lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and... stop thinking! Just ask yourself whether the work has enabled you to 'walk about' into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, what more do you want?” -Kandinsky

That has to be sufficient.

My life is in your hands, O God, and you have blessed me.  My life whatever it is, I trust in you.

Many blessings.