my groups

It was one of those cool summer, early mornings at Bent Creek.  As I walked I could hear birds chirping and the rustle of the wind in the trees.  I soaked up the peace and quiet.  And I wasn't the only one.  Children's voice came echoing from the beach area, playing catch and swimming.  Bikers passed me regularly. As did runners.  They would call out a cheerful "on the right!" and say good morning.

I like these friendly fit people.  They inspire me and I want to be a part of their group.  It would be so easy to miss out, staying curled up in a cozy bed.  But today I got to march with the trail people.

I feel the same way about my book club.  I have had some wonderful evenings, sitting at a table discussing so much more then the book of the month.  I love the delicious healthy dinners we have together.  And the rich, authentic discussion of people willing to open their lives up.  I like these big-hearted real women.  They inspire me and I'm glad to be a part of their group.

My church is one of my favorite groups. It's not just the interesting sermons or worshipful praise music.  It's looking around at the variety of people who have decided to meet together each weekend. People who come expectant for direction and community.  People who contribute to my church in so many ways.  I like these hungry submitted people.  They inspire me and I am grateful be a part of their group.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17

roanoke

"O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God…We ask the witness of Thy grace, upon this sacred spot, this bit of humble earth.  For here once walked the men of dreams, the sons of hope and pain and wonder."

We got to hear those words at the beginning of The Lost Colony play.  After summers at the Outer Banks we finally got tickets and watched this amazing slice of history come alive.  "And every show opens with one man in the spotlight saying the words above.  

The Lost Colony came to life on Roanoke Island over 75 years ago.  It is now first class of all outdoor dramas.  Presidents have seen it.  Acting legends have performed in it.  And the finest hands in costume design have dressed it up."  In this quote from Our State magazine shares more about this spot in history.

On August 18, 1587 Virginia Dare became the first Enlish child born in the United States.

On August 18, 1937 President Franklin Roosevelt attended the show during the inaugural season.

Every August 18 now, The Lost Colony casts a read infant to play the Virginia Dare role.
It is a reminder of what our forbearers survived to give us the world we have now.

Our State magazine reminds us that "Life on the island – isolated and prone to storms- always has been tough.  Roanoke Island didn’t even have a bridge connecting it to the mainland until 1931, which was 344 years after the colonists first landed here."

Our family spends a week on Roanoke Island every year in June for vacation.  The drive is beautiful, the bridge over the expansive sound brings us quickly to the island.  Our rental house is cozy and comfortable, launching us to the beach.

"The sunsets on the sound were beautiful then, and they’re beautiful now."  They are, pulling us out of bed in the early hours to be amazed again. We suffer none of the hardships that the Lost Colony faced - no hunger, no disconnection with loved ones, no survival stresses.  But their heart filled prayer rings true today as we come to rest and heal.

"O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God…We ask the witness of Thy grace, upon this sacred spot, this bit of humble earth.  We walk here in the footsteps of so many who called out to you.  We too have dreams, the children of hope and pain and wonder."

pink plastic spoons

My fantasy job involves ice cream.   I think about how fun it would be to work at TCBY.  Handing out samples of new flavors, adding toppings, watching the simple joy that a refreshing dessert brings.

I thought about that today.  It was a day of repairs.  Taking out the trash, weeding the yard and an hour in the dentist chair filling a cavity.  Too much dreaming about ice cream!

Phillip Yancy in his book Vanishing Grace  takes my day of repairs and my day dreams and gives them a spiritual direction.

"By living out lives of grace in a spoiled environment, we point forward to a time of restoration.  One Harlem preacher likens us to the pink plastic spoons at Baskin Robbins: we give the world a foretaste of what lies ahead, the vision of the biblical prophets.  In a world gone astray we should be actively demonstrating here and now God's will for the planet."