Does it matter?

I read this book when it first debuted. I don't remember what I thought or if it had an impact. I do remember that my oldest child had recently died. I suppose that event shadowed my memories.

So recently, when my now oldest daughter went to the movies to see this new release, I became curious and read it again. Ten years have passed since that first reading—since my daughter's death—and I'm at a different place, in a different time, and am a different person. This little book spoke to me in ways I didn't know I needed, although I knew I needed something.



The Shack by William Paul Young

Papa again interrupted. "You see, Mackenzie, I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you; all of every part of you and your day."
Jesus now spoke again. "Mack, I don't want to be the first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than at the top of a pyramid, I want to be at the center of a mobile, where everything in your life—your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities—is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being."


"Let me ask you something. Is what I do back home important? Does it matter? I really don't do much other than working and caring for my family and friends—"
Sarayu interrupted him. "Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."


Thank you, Lord, for being the wind of my dance and giving my dance a purpose.


Melanie

Wednesday with Words

From Start to Finish - Challenge B

At the start of the year
they were saddled with fear
viewing me with unjustified dread.
Expectations were made
few rules had been laid.
Curiosity soon to be fed.

Many challenges came
but who is to blame
if the math laws are hard to apply?
This strand is intense
not the favorite I sense
but painless when given a try.

Then the ps and the qs...
all the Logic we muse.
Our brains now and then do get sore.
Formal proofs every day
use our brains every way
building strong minds down deep to the core.

We read books and did write
persuasive works left and right
letting Lost Tools of Writing take lead.
Short stories were read.
They went straight to our head
creativity flowing full speed.

Latin verbs and the such
sometimes are too much
but the students work hard at this strand.
We're good with declensions.
Did I happen to mention
that terra translates into land?

Kepler, Newton, and Morse
and there's Einstein, of course.
And others whose work is the base
of things scientific
we think they're terrific
deducing the facts of each case.

Science Fair came and went.
Every minute well spent.
We wish Francis Bacon had known.
Chemistry now at last
learning which bonds hold fast—
Hydrogen's unhappy alone.

We debated the news
Was it fake? Who'd accuse?
Creating the tools for Mock Trial.
Yes, we're ready to go
judge and jury and so...
Will CJ or Sam get to smile?

This finish is the start
of great things, they'll impart
pursuing their paths with no fear.
As parents, you'll nourish
these students who flourish.
I'll treasure my thoughts of this year.

Melanie
























.

The Keeping

We became busy
acquiring knowledge
layering information
until our minds were
thick
dense
deep
brimming
with boundless concerns
equations
conjugations
propositions.

Sometime
during our busyness
we stopped.
Unconsciously
we stopped
the keeping.

The daily examination
noticing
searching
watching
recognizing
recording the wonder
of His sparkling jewel
was set aside
leaving us
hollow
vacant
wanting.

The human soul
is a fathomless vessel
curious
questioning
seeking kinship with
His creation
yearning to keep
impressions
desiring wholeness
with every breath
scent
sound.

Now—alluring
Spring has arrived
hesitating
teasing
unrolling all her splendor
touching our spirits
with inspiration
in anticipation
of reopening
the keeping.

Melanie