Be Amazed

Late last week, I did something on a whim. The winter blahs had settled in, it was too cold to lace up my running shoes and hit the hilly roads of Amish country, a glance out my window revealed gray skies, a snow/mud mix on the ground, and bare trees in every direction. The kids were enjoying what seemed like their 75th snow day and my well of inspiration had run dry. So, I did what many women do when they are feeling down–I went shopping.

It was a quick trip. I didn’t go far. In fact, I didn’t even leave the couch. I’m not a big fan of delayed gratification and Amazon enjoys that about me. In five minutes I purchased two books that, apparently, I ‘needed’. The first (the one I went looking for), a treasure trove of beautiful words written by Madeleine L’ Engle. The second book, I purchased on a whim. I’m not sure why, but almost against my will, I clicked the “Add to cart” button and never looked back. (See why Amazon loves me?)

Anne Lamott, the author of the second book, Stitches, has grabbed my soul and shaken my spirit in a way that I haven’t felt in some time. I’ve been reminded why books and words are so valuable and how important it is to slow down and take the time to nourish myself on their goodness.

I haven’t finished the book yet. I’m reading slowly, deliberately, and allowing the words to wash over and move me. I’m taking my time, because words so beautifully woven together deserve time. Tonight, these are the words that are echoing from deep within. . .

“Yet no matter what happens to us–to our children, to our town, to our world–we feel it is still a gift to be human and to have a human life. . . and understand that we and our children are going to get knocked around, sometimes so cruelly that it will take our breath away. Life can be wild, hard and sweet, but it can also be wild, hard and cruel.
. . .

But the good news is that then there is a new life. Wildflowers bloom again.

That’s it? you ask. That’s all you’ve got?

No. I’ve also got bulbs. Well. They’re both such surprises. Wildflowers stop you in your hiking tracks. You want to savor the colors and scents, let them breathe you in, let yourself be amazed. And bulbs that grow in the cold rocky dirt remind us that no one is lost.”

“Let yourself be amazed”.

Man. Those four words have stuck with me. I’ve carried them with me and I’m training myself to remember. . . Be Amazed. . .

At the gift of the morning sky. . .