Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

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in which I sign on for #31days and why I’m not linking up

September 30, 2013 By Sandra Heska King

tree prune 2

Dennis stuck his head in the door. “Put your shoes on and come out here.”

I slipped on a pair of Keens and rolled up my p.j. bottoms and followed him out to where the dogs were playing–in a clearing.

I gasped. There’d been a chainsaw massacre while we were gone yesterday.

Dennis had asked our son to trim a few branches from two pines in the back, and Jeremy had gone above and beyond. He’d trimmed all the dead wood 10-15 feet up and cleared away all the tall grass and nightshade and poison ivy underneath. Wide rings of dirt encircled the trunks.

It looks great, though the pups aren’t so happy about their inability to play hide-and-seek in the weeds.

tree pruning

We can see more clearly now. Not only that, but my husband says the pruning will make the trees more resistant to winds while allowing them and surrounding trees to receive more light. I care about trees, but I don’t know much about tree care. I looked it up. I think this is called crown/canopy thinning and lifting.

Maybe sometimes we need to thin things out of our spiritual trunk before it can grow thicker.

Meister Eckhart, a 14th century Dominican mystic, theologian, and convicted heretic, wrote, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.”

I’ve been thinking about that.

And I’ve been feeling a little–I don’t know–lonesome? Maybe a little left out because other friends are gathering in places I can’t, getting book contracts that I don’t. I sense a hunger deep inside.

Madeleine L’Engle wrote in Friends for the Journey, “Solitude and loneliness–though outwardly they may look the same–come from different kinds of fasting. Solitude is the chosen fast, while loneliness is the unbidden hunger. Solitude brings a deeper kind of living. Loneliness brings a kind of death.”

Maybe I’m not so much missing out as missing Him.

And so I sit here with a pup on my lap, rubbing peanut butter into pine-tarred fur. Out the kitchen window, yellow leaves spiral to the ground in the breeze.

And I make my decision final.

I had a topic all picked out for this year. But instead of joining in with The Nester and others blogging for 31 days in October on one topic (like I did last year on Coming to Grips with My Age), I’m not going to blog at all.

I’m not only not going to add on this month, I’m going to subtract. I’m going to quiet my own noise.

I’m going to fast from this blog. I’m going to choose solitude.

This will be new for me since I’ve never taken more than a few days off at a time in over four years. I’ve blogged through vacations and through my mom’s illness.

I don’t know how it will all turn out.

What will I do instead?

I hope to:

Spend some time praying for all of you.

Rethink my writing goals and this blog’s purpose.

Concentrate on my writing class through Tweetspeak Poetry.

Reorganize my writing space.

Clean my house.

Finally strip the wallpaper.

Take a mini-trip to the Upper Peninsula.

Spend more time noticing and listening.

Drink more tea.

Read more books.

Watch the birds.

Take a few photos.

Visit your blogs and soak in your wisdom and words.

Or maybe I’ll just sleep.

tree prune bluebird

So… head on over to The Nester’s place and choose from over 1000 topics and bloggers you’d like to follow along with this month. And just so you know, I’m not going to miss these by my dear friends and fellow prayer warriors.

Diana Trautwein on 31 Days of Giving Permission

Michelle DeRusha on 31 Days to an Authentic You

Shelly Miller on 31 Days of Letting Go in the Deep End

Cindee Snider Re who’s exploring 31 Days on Holy Ground

Kristin Schell on 31 Days of Outrageous Hospitality

Megan Willome on 31 Days of Dogs

Ann Voskamp on Missing Him: 31 Days of Calling on Jesus

Elizabeth Marshall on 31 Days of Noticing

Linda Chontos on 31 Days: Journey to Trust

Karin Fendick on 31 Days of Surrender

Laura Brown on 31 Days of Today (tweetables)

Laura Boggess on 31-ish Days of Prayer

Still Saturday will continue through the month hosted by our favorite psalmist with a camera, Patricia Hunter of Pollywog Creek. So you may link your posts over there (and I’ll be reading them.)

And I’ll continue to write on Tuesdays for BibleDude, though I will not be posting “teasers” here.

I’m not entering total cyber darkness. I’ll still post periodically on my Facebook page, so if you haven’t “liked” me yet, you’d honor me by doing so.

However, this blog will be silent… for the whole month. Pray for me? Love you all, and I’ll see you back here on November 1.

Stilled and going silent,

Sandy

31 days

 

 

 

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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Sharon O says

    October 1, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Oh I miss you already. :o{

  2. kelliwoodford says

    October 1, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    That is so funny, Sandy! I almost did the same thing! I watched all the “31 Days” posts going live and I thought – “Man, I’m gonna do 31 Days of Un-blogging. That’s what I need right now.”

    To each his own.

    I’m certainly thankful for your list and for all my friends who are doing 31 Days – good soul food for the resting that will be my October.

  3. Megan Willome says

    October 1, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    I love your tree analogy. Praying this is a fruitful time of solitude, even if you don’t get anything done on your list but drink tea and watch birds (because I forbid you to give up on those!).

  4. Brandee says

    October 1, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    I thought, last year, that I’d do it this year. Then I forgot until the last minute and felt overwhelmed by the whole prospect. I think yours is a mighty wise idea. Not the idea for me, but mighty wise. God’s blessings to you as you take this break.

  5. Shelly Miller says

    October 1, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    There is a heap or two or three of real wisdom in this post Sandy. I love how you explain the difference between loneliness and solitude, makes me think. And that quote: God is not found in the soul by adding anything but by a process of subtraction. So rich, I copied it. Thank you for sharing my 31 Day series, you are such a gift. I think, no I know, you will return to the blog world richer and refreshed with new eyes and we will not forget you, that is a fact.

  6. S. Etole says

    October 1, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. Soaking in the autumn loveliness here.

  7. Carol J. Garvin says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Such wisdom, Sandy! We need to step back and take stock occasionally and eliminating blogging will free up a good chunk of time to do so. A little judicious pruning and trimming is good for the health. I pray you will find blessing in your solitude, and answers to questions.

    I’ll be off the grid for a couple weeks myself, but because I will be at our cabin where there is no electricity, no cell service, etc. It’s my hubby’s annual hunting trip and my annual writing retreat. I may try to schedule a few posts ahead of time for the blog… or I may not. 🙂

  8. Gayle says

    October 1, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I have stepped back as well this summer and wondering if I should try to step up for fall, or continue as I have done. We had a kitchen remodel from a leak and I just couldn’t blog with the house and my life torn up. And now, I am just so busy that I would like to slow down until I feel like I really can flow out peace. I am just not there yet. Enjoy your break, may it be a time of rest of healing.

  9. Diana Trautwein says

    October 1, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    Beautifully said, Sandy. I may have to try this someday soon. And thanks for the link, my friend.

  10. Patricia Spreng says

    October 1, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    yes,… breathe deeply and enjoy… you are loved.

  11. Cindee Snider Re says

    October 1, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Sandy, this was absolutely beautiful and beautifully said. May God refresh you in this time of silence and solitude — two of my all-time favorite words! — as you enjoy your tea and His captivating creation, soaking in the autumn sunshine and His holy Presence. Love You, my Friend!

  12. HisFireFly says

    October 1, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    I am certain God is going to meet you in a very new and special way as you honor Him with your silence.

  13. Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says

    October 1, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    You are awesome! This is beautiful. Truly. xoxox

  14. Mick says

    October 2, 2013 at 12:10 am

    I can’t ‘like’ this, but I like the sentiment. Very much. Kudos, Sandra.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      October 2, 2013 at 12:24 am

      Maybe I’ll actually work on my memoir. 🙂

  15. Ro elliott says

    October 2, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I love the quote about the difference between loneliness and solitude….I think we may need to embrace and touch our loneliness before we can find the utter peace and joy in the solitude ….blessings upon blessings as you meet with Him in the quite places…the wallpaper stripping( I would need a lot of Him there for sure

    • Ro elliott says

      October 2, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      I am so story…I don’t know what I did…please excuse/ delete all the multiple posts

  16. Ro elliott says

    October 2, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I love the quote about the difference between loneliness and solitude….I think we may need to embrace and touch our loneliness before we can find the utter peace and joy in the solitude ….blessings upon blessings as you meet with Him in the quite places…the wallpaper stripping( I would need a lot of Him there for sure

  17. Ro elliott says

    October 2, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    I love the quote about the difference between loneliness and solitude….I think we may need to embrace and touch our loneliness before we can find the utter peace and joy in the solitude ….blessings upon blessings as you meet with Him in the quite places…the wallpaper stripping( I would need a lot of Him there for sure

  18. Martha Orlando says

    October 2, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    You will be so missed, Sandy, but I can surely relate to the need for a break. All I’ve managed to do to change up my routine is staying off the internet on Sundays.
    I don’t think I’m ready to stop blogging just yet . . .
    Loved the wisdom in this reflection, too, especially about the difference between solitude and loneliness. I’ll remember that one . . .
    Blessings, and may you find rest and renewal this month!

  19. Carolyn Counterman says

    October 2, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Sssshhhhh! We’re hunting a wascaly wabbit!

    Seriously, this could be good. If you get really quiet, who knows what you might hear? Something amazing could start calling to you through the blogging silence. I’m looking forward to seeing how this unfolds.

  20. Laura says

    October 2, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    You brave, brave girl. I wonder what wonder-full things will come from listening to your heart? I’m sorry for the lonely, I know that place. You know you are one of my favorite writers, right? Sometimes the harvest is hard fought. Most times, it seems. You have my love, my friend. I’ll be praying through all this.

  21. nance.mdr says

    October 2, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    a wonderful and healing decision.
    you will love it.

  22. Melanie says

    October 4, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    This post is filled with wisdom and beauty and graciousness. Praying with you. Enjoy!

  23. Janet says

    October 6, 2013 at 6:49 am

    You will be missed. Hugs. Janet

  24. Amy L. Sullivan says

    October 6, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    Although 31 Days of blogging impresses me, this 31 days of silence, well, this one excites me.

    I pray your time away is refreshing.

    Good for you.

  25. David Rupert says

    October 8, 2013 at 10:50 am

    Rest is a good thing. I’m always looking for things to use as illustrations in writings and teachings. After a while, I miss out on the personal blessing because I want to tell the story to others

  26. Elizabeth W. Marshall says

    October 15, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    Well, it is so very peaceful, as always over here. And grace-filled, and wisdom-drenched. And thank you for mentioning little ole moi. That was a generous surprise. Love to you in this time of relative quiet. But you and I will have words…..over at Tweetspeak, dear friend.

  27. patsy says

    October 18, 2013 at 12:51 am

    Great idea! My first time to post for 31 days and I’ve missed one because I was sick! I wonder why i started at all!!!! Challenged. :^) patsy

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“Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. . . Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.” ~ Mary Oliver in “Mysteries, Yes”
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No way could anyone ever convince me that this world in all its beauty and creativity and mysteries is here by accident.
Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So yummy! I hope they come back.  But maybe not too often or I’ll have to do double time on the exercise.
“Embrace this day knowing and showing the world “Embrace this day knowing and showing the world that your God is more than enough for you.”
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@tamiheim @tonibirdsong 
In @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the str My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
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I’d almost forgotten what quiet mornings on the patio were like. (Quiet except for the birds and the sound of the neighbor’s AC.)
So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the fir So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the first time he wanted to see me in 6 months instead of a year. He said my aortic stenosis had gotten worse. Like on the cusp of moderate to severe. 😬

So the first thing he asks me is, "How's you daughter?" Wait. Isn't this supposed to be about ME?

Then he asks if I've had any symptoms. "Well, I don't know. Maybe. I felt a little dizzy out of the blue a couple times. And felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I wouldn't have paid any attention if I didn't know I was supposed to be watching for symptoms. I DID walk all over Israel and up a bunch of steep hills, even all the way up to the Golan Heights--against the wind--without anything but normal fatigue.

He laughs. "I created a monster." Ummm, yeah.

"Have you been exercising?" 

"Well, yeah. We walk a couple miles a day. I'm back on my Nordictrack Strider." I didn't tell him I'd been lifting some light weights and some very heavy boxes and other items during this renovation, though I was told in December not to.

So he listens to the beating of my heart. Then he says, "Well, I don't think the valve is ripe yet. I don't expect you to have symptoms for three or four years. You don't need to come back for a year."

Wait! So you ask if I have symptoms. But you don't expect symptoms--yet. And when I do have symptoms, someone is gonna do something. And then I'll be older and maybe weaker. Or what if I have some sudden and silent symptom and boom! And now I have to worry about that. 

(In other news, my oldest grand texts me the other day, and our conversation runs like this...
Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And the Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And there were lilacs. They even shook their heads over tornado-induced devastation. Look for the beauty and sweet scents in the midst of the mess. I miss the lilacs.
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When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan ate their breakfast Friday morning, they had no idea what terror and devastation they'd face before dinner. Everyone has a story. You've probably seen pictures.

If not, take a peek at @mlivenews .

My great-nephew, not quite 12, had just gotten home from school when the EF-3 came down the street and left its mark on every home. My niece frantically tried to find her way from work through debris and blocked roads. My sister was 30 miles away visiting my dad in rehab. I don't want to know how fast my brother-in-law drove. 

The house and yard took a hit, worse than some, not as bad as others. A mobile home park was demolished--two deaths there. I heard one person is still missing. So many injured. So much awful. But the town is coming together for each other. Pray for them.

We plan to fly up Thursday--already planned to celebrate my dad's 95th birthday. 

Also, if anyone feels led to help, the Otsego Community Foundation and Otsego County United Way are accepting donations. Note “Tornado Relief.” Beware of any other fundraising requests.
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And now… “From the rising of the sun to the pl And now… “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new. The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new.
When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yad When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yadvashem - the World Holocaust Center in Jerusalem. There wasn't enough time to spend nearly enough time. 

The Valley of the Communities was very moving. It's a labyrinth of stone from which there seems no way out. Our guide said It gives an idea of the endlessness of the horror. His parents emigrated from Vilna (the Jerusalem of Lithuania), before the Holocaust. In 1935, thirteen of his family members still remained there. By 1945 only one--an uncle--had survived. He wrote a book about them from a bundle of old letters. "One story out of millions."

"This memorial commemorates the Jewish communities destroyed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and the few which suffered but survived in the shadow of the Holocaust."
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"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.” ~ Primo Levi

From a post I wrote for @tspoetry after a visit to the @holocaustcenter.

https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2016/07/27/regional-tour-holocaust-memorial-center-farmington-hills-michigan/
Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterd Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterday. I was in a rush and failed to snap the whole tree. I need to run back before the flowers fall. I think it’s a jacaranda? I want one.
Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this a Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this afternoon. I thought he was hurt, but I think he was just trying to cool off. (Maybe it's a young one.... unless it's the light?)
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“Now in the place where he was crucified there w “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” ~ John 19:41

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay…’”~ Matthew 28:5-6

Many wonder if this tomb, which lies just a few yards west of Golgotha could be the place where Jesus lay and rose. I wish we could have lingered longer here in this garden and in the tomb itself. It was easier for me to imagine the events of that weekend happening here than in the heavily incensed, decorated, dark and crowded Church of the Holy Sepulchre… though my hairdresser said her old boyfriend “got chills”’when he entered that tomb. We did not go inside that one because the line was way too long. 

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The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon da The olive trees here are ancient… some carbon dates to the 12th century, according to my Eyewitness book on Jerusalem. “DNA tests have shown that eight of the trees grew from cuttings from the same mother tree—perhaps taken by Christians who believed the tree to have witnessed Jesus’s agony.” 

Gethsemane means “olive press.” Jesus was pressed to his very depths that night.  He knew what was ahead. He could have run far away. But he went where he knew Judas would look for him. 

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Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Nations

#Israel2022
A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as A "blue preacher" right outside my door, nearly as tall as I am. I wonder what he's wondering. Is he finding the answer blowing in the wind?

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in happiness, in kindness." ~ Mary Oliver in "Why I Wake Early"
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