A Date Long Due

Yesterday I was alone.

I considered feeling lonely.

Then I decided I had better things to do.

I went on a date.

With myself.

First I tried to find a park I'd heard about. I couldn't find it. I ended up in a nursing home parking lot, overlooking the river. I parked in the sun. It was too hot, but I put my seat back and I took a nap. When I woke, I pulled out of the drive and noticed these seeds. Of course I had to get out of the car and take time to explore them.




Not to be defeated in my search for the elusive park, I eventually sort of found it. Except I couldn't find my way by road. So I left the car in a strange empty lot near the highway, and I walked. I found this tunnel. It was sweet to listen to the echo of two voices at the other end— friends hiding from the sun, maybe hiding in each other on this warm afternoon.




At the end of the tunnel, I saw wild roses. I love the way light infuses petals.




The park was smaller than I'd hoped, and crowded. I moved on to another park. As it turned out, it was crowded too. People with people with people. I went alone to a shady hill and listened to all their sounds. I listened to the birds. Closed my eyes, napped again, sat and dreamed, wrote. I pointed my camera towards the river, then towards the sky and enjoyed my time with them, with me.



Sunday photos by L.L. Barkat.

Companion Together

God in the Yard is off to print, and I'm thinking about a companion e-book (maybe something for a dollar, or free downloadable)— a resource that people could use as an individual devotional or group-study help.

This might seem unnecessary, because God in the Yard already involves activity, journaling and small-group discussion possibilities.

But I can see how some people are going to want more opportunities for Scripture juxtapositions. Right now I'm wondering if it would make sense to provide an Old Testament reference, grouped with a Psalm reference and something from the life of Christ. Pairing art and maybe music suggestions might also be cool.

Well, as you can see, I'm totally thinking out loud here. I'm also thinking that though I've asked a wonderful writer and bible study teacher to help me develop this, I'd also like to extend the companion opportunity to you. It wouldn't necessarily require that you read God in the Yard. You could chime in here with thoughts, questions, recommendations. And if I can eventually create something that also includes links, I'd like to link to you if I use your contribution.

Anyway. Would you think with me? Walk with me? Companion together?