Showing posts with label Nish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nish. Show all posts
August 29, 2010
Surrounded.
12:00 AM | 
Posted by
Nish
I'm writing this post far from my home in Oregon. I've actually traveled to Denver, Colorado for the weekend to be with my mentor and good friend. It was an unexpected trip... one that I never imagined that I would take.
My friend, well... she and her husband have always been this iconic couple for marriages. They did more premarital counseling, mentoring, officiating weddings... more than anyone I've ever known. Everyone wanted their marriage to look like that of my friend and her husband.
As it so happens, about a week ago, I got an email from her. It was simple, blunt, and to the point. In the email, she wrote one statement that made my bones shake and my eyes sting with tears.
"He has left me."
I sat, stunned, looking into the small screen on my phone with my jaw open and my eyes already burning. I had no words. I couldn't believe it. It was a wife's worst nightmare.
So, I immediately made plans to be on a flight to Denver as soon as I could. I arrived yesterday evening and I have been encouraged, uplifted and warmed by what I've seen. Women... so many loving and faithful women... have come around my dear friend. They have flown in from around the country, driven overnight from far away states, to be with her in her time of need.
I sat at a table full of women last night, and I just looked into their faces. These women who loved each other, supported each other, lifted each other up off the floor when knocked down. It was humbling to sit at a table with such faithful servants.
As I looked at each woman, then looked at my friend... I could see the stress lift off of her shoulders. I could visibly see the change in attitude. I could tangibly feel the love and faithfulness of Christ being poured out by His people.
I thought to myself "This is what it's all about."
And isn't it? Community. We're not meant to go through life's struggles on our own. We're not meant to journey by ourselves. This marathon of a race was meant to be run with friends, with people, with family, with community.
We're meant to be surrounded. I pray that this place becomes a safe haven for you. That you feel connected and uplifted and surrounded by other women who are on a journey alongside your own. No matter where you are in life, I pray that you can come to this place and be reminded of the goodness of the Lord.
I am thankful for you. I'm thankful that you're here... surrounding me with love and encouragement.
My personal blog: The Outdoor Wife
Find me on Twitter: @theoutdoorwife
My friend, well... she and her husband have always been this iconic couple for marriages. They did more premarital counseling, mentoring, officiating weddings... more than anyone I've ever known. Everyone wanted their marriage to look like that of my friend and her husband.
As it so happens, about a week ago, I got an email from her. It was simple, blunt, and to the point. In the email, she wrote one statement that made my bones shake and my eyes sting with tears.
"He has left me."
I sat, stunned, looking into the small screen on my phone with my jaw open and my eyes already burning. I had no words. I couldn't believe it. It was a wife's worst nightmare.
So, I immediately made plans to be on a flight to Denver as soon as I could. I arrived yesterday evening and I have been encouraged, uplifted and warmed by what I've seen. Women... so many loving and faithful women... have come around my dear friend. They have flown in from around the country, driven overnight from far away states, to be with her in her time of need.
I sat at a table full of women last night, and I just looked into their faces. These women who loved each other, supported each other, lifted each other up off the floor when knocked down. It was humbling to sit at a table with such faithful servants.
As I looked at each woman, then looked at my friend... I could see the stress lift off of her shoulders. I could visibly see the change in attitude. I could tangibly feel the love and faithfulness of Christ being poured out by His people.
I thought to myself "This is what it's all about."
And isn't it? Community. We're not meant to go through life's struggles on our own. We're not meant to journey by ourselves. This marathon of a race was meant to be run with friends, with people, with family, with community.
We're meant to be surrounded. I pray that this place becomes a safe haven for you. That you feel connected and uplifted and surrounded by other women who are on a journey alongside your own. No matter where you are in life, I pray that you can come to this place and be reminded of the goodness of the Lord.
I am thankful for you. I'm thankful that you're here... surrounding me with love and encouragement.
My personal blog: The Outdoor Wife
Find me on Twitter: @theoutdoorwife
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July 29, 2010
In full bloom
12:00 AM |
Posted by
Nish
In Portland, where I live for the majority of the year, there's this very small window of time that is precious for all of the city's residents. Usually, it happens sometime between March and April. Once we feel our first brush of warm spring air, we know it's creeping up... nipping at our heels and we await anxiously for its arrival.
This period of time is so fast. It only lasts three weeks in a generous year. Portlanders are quick to soak it in.
I'm talking about the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms.
Portland rests at the junction of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, so the waterfront parks are stunning and beautiful and lined with steel bridges and arches. The city lights reflect off the surface of the slow-moving water at night, providing even more light on your drive over the bridges.
The cherry blossoms line the waterfront park next to downtown. Beautiful even rows create this breathtaking canopy of pink above bright shades of green. It's unlike anything you've ever seen.
When the cherry blossoms bloom, you'll see upwards of twenty photographers in the park, taking pictures of families with newborns, engagement photos and capturing the perfect shades of pink against blue skies.
Every year, I try to make it to the park to sit underneath that pink against blue.
This spring, as I was laying on the grass, with my little boy on the blanket next to me, I stared up at those flowers... the ones we wait for. The ones we yearn for. And I started to think, ask questions and look deep into the reflections of my own heart.
"When will I come into full bloom? When am I the most beautiful? When are people drawn to me?"
In my heart of hearts, I know that I am in full bloom when I am being my true self... when I take off the mask of unrealistic perfection and allow myself to just... be.
I know that I am the most beautiful when I let my heart soar. I am the most beautiful when I am passionate. When I worship. When I love others.
I know that people are drawn to me when I am honest. When I show my true colors and admit my faults. Because you see, people don't like to be alone. And we aren't meant to live life alone.
My brightest and most beautiful moments are found when I am being who I was designed to be.
So, what about you?
When do you come into full bloom? When do you feel beautiful?
My personal blog: The Outdoor Wife
Find me on Twitter: @theoutdoorwife
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