Media of the Week - Blessings...

There are days when we all wonder why we are called to walk through trials and hard times. Sometimes we may even wonder if anyone is really there to hear our fears or heal our heartache. What we may forget is that during these moments, during the times when it seems that no one knows or understands, there is One who does. One who will succor us and support us. One who will turn our trials into some of the greatest blessings we may ever know.

"What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are [His] mercies in disguise?"

Blessings

- Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Refuge...

“Solitude is a chosen separation for refining your soul."

― Wayne Cordeiro

*Note: I had originally intended to submit this post to Four Perspectives for consideration as part of their upcoming topic.  Little did I know that less then 24 hours later I would again seek the refuge of the river as I tried to sort out my muddled thoughts after the tragic death of a dear friend. It only seemed appropriate to share it here with the other posts I have done in the last couple of days.

In the midst of the cacophony of day-to-day life there are times when a person needs to leave the stress and strain behind and find a place of refuge.  

I have had my share of those days. When that happens I usually find myself behind the wheel of my car heading to explore the untamed beauty of the desert surrounding my home. More often than not my wanderings take me somewhere close to the river, this giver of life amidst the starkness of the surrounding landscape.

The steady ebb and flow of the current seems to carry away the burdens of the moment and instill a sense of calm. A sense that the world outside is bigger than any momentary problem and that, like the river, I can continue on. As in life, the river itself does not run a smooth course. There are areas of calm disrupted by eddies and swirls, by rapids and undertows, straightaways and meandering twists and turns. Yet, still it continues onward – part of something larger than itself. 

Perhaps this is why, when I need a moment of refuge, I find myself drawn to a place beside a flowing waterway where I can collect my thoughts, renew my spirit, and leave refreshed until the next time when I will seek again the refuge of the river.

*That was the end the original post. I'd sent it to Jason for his input not knowing that he'd never see it or that the early pre-dawn morning would find me driving toward the banks of the river seeking peace and some sense of comfort.

 I sat and listened to the river as it drifted past watching as one by one the stars blinked out and dawn approached. I saw a shooting star or two and thought how like Jason they were - blazing brightly, but briefly across the sky and my life. I'm sure this is not the last time I will find myself seeking solace and refuge from the river.

Life Through My Lens - Doorways...

Every doorway, every intersection has a story. - Katherine Dunn

The door stands open

To pass through

Or

To stay

Within

I pause

Wondering if 

What lies beyond

Is

Worth the risk

One step

Then another

Moving forward

Across

The threshold

I cross

Into a new day

Facing the future

Embracing

The past

Moving on

-MLD 2012

Life Through My Lens - Shadow and light...

I've noticed that life is a lot like the image I captured in these photos, full of shadow and light. Some days it seems as though the shadows will overpower what little light there is. And yet, there are days when the opposite is true, when the world seems full of optimism and hope. I guess the key is knowing that it is the balance of light and shadow that create the mosaic that is life.

And don't forget to check out :

Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living 

and

 Backroads Photography 

Both are great sites by a master teacher, brilliant photographer, and good friend.

Brady...

Brady

Today I was stunned and saddened to hear that my cousin Brady had passed away. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that someone so vibrant, so full of life, love, and good cheer is suddenly gone. I remember family parties where he would crack jokes, tease, and make sure everyone had a smile on their face before the celebration was through. He was in so many ways his father's son. Uncle Darvel had that same talent for making you feel happy, involved, loved.

I remember sitting at ball games while I was attending college in Logan listening to my uncle Darvel and my Grandpa Durrant cheer (and sometimes harangue... lol) Brady and the other cousins and friends who played on their teams. (Though it must be said, many of my uncle and grandpa's diatribes were against officials who couldn't seem to make the right calls when it came to "the boys"... lol)

As time passed and circumstances changed, my association with my cousin faded to the occasional family party or activity. I am sad to say that I did not know Brady as well as I would have liked to in the past few years. That doesn't change the fact that I love my cousin Brady and will miss his smile and laugh.

I don't know why he was taken with so much of his life ahead of him. I cannot claim to understand the reasoning why some are left to linger and others not. I believe in my heart that when he left this mortal sphere his dad, grandparents, niece and nephew, and countless others were there to welcome him home.

It is now, we, those who remain, who must pick up the pieces, finding meaning and purpose and go on.

These things I know:

Life is precious.

Time is fleeting.

Love is eternal.

A few of "Sharon's Boys"
Curtis Hendricks, Tony LeFevre, Brady Durrant
Sharon Durrant

Life Through My Lens - Around the bend...

Around the bend...

"...I’ve discovered life’s next adventure is waiting just around the bend... "

Dan Johnson © 2007

As I entered the mouth of the canyon on my return trip home this weekend, I paused to capture a few frames of the autumn colors on the mountainside. I made my way down a small incline and followed a rutted dirt road until I was near the railroad tracks. As I captured this shot of the bend in the track, it struck me how much life is like that. 

We don't always know what is around the bend. We must simply take the chance that whatever we meet when we turn that corner will add dimension to our lives. Sometimes what lies around the bend tests our very mettle with struggles that are hard to comprehend. Other times we are met with unexpected happiness, new friendships, and opportunities. 

We cannot predict what will happen if we continue on, but continue we must if we want to progress. If we remain rooted to the spot, fearing what is unknown we are left in the dust as life passes us by. What matters most is having the courage to follow life's path through it's twists and turns, it's straightaways and bends to our ultimate destination.


I'm finally learning this for myself and it is both scary and exhilarating. I can't wait to see what is around the next bend....

Life Through My Lens - Gathering storm...

This is the sight that greeted me as I walked out of school this evening. 

Dark and ominous on one side, brilliant and blue on the other.

Kind of like my day today....

A lot like life...

We cannot stop the storms that gather, but we can endure them and enjoy the beautiful times between.

Ups and downs...

As I pondered what I wanted to write about in this post, the lyrics to a song I first heard several years ago came to mind.

The world turns 'round like a Ferris wheel

Some times you're low and sometimes you're high

But even way down you can never forget

The thrill you feel when you're touchin' the sky

 From: MY TURN ON EARTH

(Lex de Azevedo / Carol Lynn Pearson)

Image from schools.iclipart.com

I thought of how true that really is. What do they say? The only thing constant is change? Getting ready for this new school year has me thinking about some of the lows and highs of years past and contemplating the certainty of new highs and lows of this coming year. I guess the key is to keep the memory of the sky touching "thrill" when I'm feeling the lowest. 

And that reminds me... I haven't been on a Ferris Wheel in ages... maybe I need to find one and go soaring...

Seasons...

     This past week was one of loss to a few of the people around me. Three of my co-workers and friends lost family members within 2 days of each other - a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and a mother. It brought to memory those I have lost in my own life. I felt for each of them, and hope I was able to offer comfort in some small way.

     Each of the losses was a blow to those involved in different way. In many ways each was in a different season of their life.  One was a young father in the summer of his life who left behind a wife and children. Losses such as this one can be especially hard because of the life that was yet to be lived and those left behind who are so young. Another was a little older, in the autumn of life, but, like fall there is still so much time and life left. The third was a mother in the winter of her life, with  spring, summer, and autumn living in her memories. She had endured trials of health and there are those who would say it was a blessing that she passed away, and perhaps, in a way, it was. But, her loss was still felt just as deeply by those she left behind.

     I did not know any of those who died personally, but I know they were loved deeply by their families and friends. I was actually able to learn a little more about one of these special people as I was asked to play the piano at the funeral. It was funny and touching to listen to stories about the mother - who was apparently full of spunk during her life - and to see the laughter and the tears that her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren shared. Talk about a legacy of love!

     It brought back memories of my own grandparents and their lives and legacies and their passing. Many of the thoughts and feelings expressed today were similar to those felt and expressed by my own family members. Even the songs and those who sang them brought back memories. "Families Can Be Together Forever" sung by younger family members, including great-grandchildren, echoed similar scenes in my memory.  I've always loved the song "In the Garden"for many reasons, one of those being that it was sung at funerals of my own loved ones. To hear this song sung by the older grandchildren with obvious love, affection, and emotion stirred those same things in my own heart. Though it was the first funeral I played the piano for and I was nervous, it was truly an honor to be able to help this family honor their mother and grandmother.

     One of the things the events of this past week did was remind me how grateful I am for my knowledge of the plan of salvation and happiness the Lord has presented us, and the promise of eternal families if we will just live worthy of it. What a blessing it is to have the Gospel in my life and to have a family that has been sealed together. Kind of makes all of the day to day squabbles, difficulties, misunderstandings, and just plain STUFF seem so small. In the eternal perspective these are just detours to our final destination.

     Anyway, I guess I've waxed philosophical long enough for one entry. (My apologies to your poor tired eyes! :-) )

    One final thought - take the time to tell those you care for that you love them - often. You can never say "I love you" too many times.

'Nuff said.