PATHS:
The choices we choose… Most times we have at least one or multiple choices - paths… Everyone either gets to take a step towards some direction or sadly, in some cases, people are making choices for you, (these people either care for you or they do not).
I made these snow tracks on a Tuesday after a mild snowfall,… then I thought I’d follow the same path on Thursday… Just two days later… But other folks were also out in the snow…and what I thought was going to be a simple path to follow, (Tuesday’s destination - to the tree across the field), became a multiple of choices… A plethora of choices. I thought I was following Tuesday’s path, but
then …. I was veering away from where my eyes were set…and not my path, not the right direction… not my snow tracks towards the tree across the field… at least I don’t think those were mine…MORE PATHS:
Every time I jump on the train to ride the rails from points A to F and all the incidental points in between, I anticipate a journey - points of connections - a path that allows for information to flow. In short, I’m expecting, in fact I totally anticipate to learn something from people who happen to sit next to me and/or those I encounter at my destination, of course this exchange is multi-directional... Literally, like my footprints in the snow. The flow is both ways. At first, I start out alone and then others show up … then there are a myriad of possibilities. And prayerfully we all walk away with something even if it’s not to go that way, (this could be termed a negative positive)… but,
BACK TO THE SNOW PATH:
I initially made tracks on Tuesday, then tried to follow the same path on Thursday, but then it became impossible… With so many paths, how could I tell which one was my own from just a couple of days earlier… How were all these people out in this crazy deep freeze of winter? I was one of those “people” - I like winter/ colder temperatures… But this posting is more about the people paths that I connected with… and not about footprints in the snow or the snow angels I made, although it is fun laying in the snow and waving my arms and fanning my legs… looking up at the sky… It just feels so child-like. People who seem to me - who are questionable… - walk the wide circle around me, (like I’m the questionable one) - when I make angels… but at this stage of life, I care little for what folks think of me… but I digress.
PATHS THAT LEAD TO PEOPLE CONNECTIONS & PURPOSE:
On one train trip I met a young man who claimed to be a “mushroom entrepreneur” -as he called it… He was young, barely 21 and got stuck sitting next to me, the proverbial old lady… I talked about my Jesus, of course; whom he said he knew. He listened respectfully and chatted about his mother who owned her own convenience store…then he fell off to sleep, jarred himself awake as he coughed uncontrollably. A man with a coolie hat offered him water, which helped immensely… I did not invest in his business venture, but promised to pray for him.
There was a church that I visited during one destination stop. I arrived early… when the sound team was setting up and singers were on stage practicing… I had spoken to the sound team when I entered and asked if I could sit… I saw the pastor, (I had done my research on the church prior to attending, so I saw pictures of their leadership - wives too). He came from the front of the church. He saw me, but continued his business walking pass me … I was the only one sitting in the sanctuary. After about 30 minutes or so, an elder came and said hello… I mentioned that he was the first person to speak to me even though, by then at least a dozen or so folks were milling around, including the pastor… He explained that undoubtedly the pastor had his mind on the business of the baptisms scheduled for that morning… As the sanctuary filled to capacity a young mom and her daughter sat by me… The little girls voice sounded angelic and I said so, to the mom who was very grateful for the complement…I was blessed by the little girl’s heart to sing praises to Father God. It was indeed a sweet moment… After baptisms, there were baby dedications and communion… but no sermon - at all. I had the opportunity to question this missing element at the end of the “service” because the pastor came over to me to shake my hand… before I even left my seat. He seemed surprised at the question, but invited me to fellowship on coffee and doughnuts. I thanked him and left… shaking the dust off my feet…
On a more recent trip I met another young man of 18 who was invited to take pictures of an awards celebration for a friend. His mother had moved he and his sister away from the ills of Chicago for their safety and so lived in a quiet little town away from the state of Illinois. He and I chatted about Jesus…Whom he did not believe in…which is not my goal to convenience him to do otherwise. I can not change hearts, but I can and did shared my most recent revelation about how Jesus the Son of God was present and quite active at “the beginning” of creation …and being God - Jesus knew He’d have to die for the human creatures He was creating… The young man asked “why would Jesus do such a thing - knowing He’d have to give His life?”… I answered “because of love”. To help him understand, I asked if his mom thought of doing away with him because he had done something wrong… Of course not was his response… Then the lightbulb went on… We chatted a bit more… I offered him some bread, cheese and water…It was his first train trip… The conductor had told him to sit next to me… It’s funny how these paths - these points of connection are forged… This young man was also added to my prayer list…
Next there was an older woman - six years older than myself. She had a word for me. “You’re still young… just a baby… and God’s not done with you yet!” She listened intently as I talked a little about my life and that I was in the stage of just seeking Father God’s direction… It was clear that I had been given gifts… I am most joy-filled when creating things, be it art for the eye or something for the hand to touch or for the tongue to taste… This older sister in the Lord was an encouragement - “Just get out and do it! You can’t, not act, when God tells you to GO and DO!” So, a good word…
Then there was the young man in Portland, Oregon… I’m always amazed how Father sends a soul out for just one… Like a starfish being thrown back into the water that was washed upon the shore… That one gets to live… Portland had some scary characters… Of which, this young man was a bit intimidating - looking like Lou Phillips the actor from “La Bamba”, (which was a movie about Ritchie Valens). He had tattoos all over… and he just looked like he was casing the station… I was too, as I sat with my back up against the wall encased with my belongings… Watching everything and hearing everyone… Even the man who was challenging another man about how someone was looking at him as he ate his doughnut… I was just ready to pounce when necessary… Then the “La Bamba” young man moved to the restroom and God told me to get up and buy him some food! Really!?!
Father God: REALLY! NOW!
I did and as the young tattooed man passed me, I called him over…
I sheepishly said, ‘this is for you.’
He asked “Why?”
I said ‘Jesus told me to.’
He asked to give me a hug…as he received my offering. I do not hug strangers… I did this time… He handled me like I was glass menagerie - tenderly… Then he explained that he was just out of prison and that he was trying to do what was right… He asked to pray for me… Asking Father to protect me and keep me and to direct my path… I was dumbfounded - easy thing to do… All I could say was that, ‘Father sees him and I’d be praying for him too’. He left the station praising God - unashamedly.
Another destination stop I had a chance to chat very briefly with a guest pastor, (not the same church as before - actually, this one was recommended by the Airbnb host and was within walking distance of the Airbnb)… It was the first Sunday of the New Year. The guest pastor declared with laughter that I was “dangerous to the enemy” - given that I was willing to go wherever Father directed and be used. He offered his blessing and prayers.
Then there was a young woman, 23. We spoke about families and similar issues we had both experienced. She was a Hmong Christian and was able to recollect the generations of her family being Christian. She was most respectful and listened very intently… For such a young woman she was wise and discerning - desiring to do Father God’s will. I added her name to my prayer list as well. She was very kind and encouraging. The conductor had placed her next to me.
I had other path connections but this posting is already really long… what have I gleaned? A myriad of paths that overlap that are always moving somewhere… But, there is surely a path that is designated specifically for me that Father wants me to go upon and do… He has made it clear that my time in the wilderness is closing and that I’ve refined skills and talents that He’s given to me - to use for His Kingdom… I do art, teach and cook… pickleball is just for lots of belly laughter… It’s often a lesson in how not to take myself too serious - least I will be humbled…
So I will journey soon to North Dakota…again. All that has gone before me - wilderness lessons, (I’m talking years before - decades even), has culminated into these moments now… Like all that, was prep work for what’s to come next… I’ve been shaped and broken and restored to do something more… “…of the dust of the ground…”
To be continued…
Soli Deo Gloria,
Nina
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