Follow the Yellow Brick Road

I am on my way to Kentucky, a state which I have never before had the pleasure to visit. This comes as the result of a woman who, having read entries in MOLC for a period of time, wrote to me explaining me she heard the Holy Ghost tell her to get 'that woman' to come down to give a retreat.

Well, I have heard of a great publicity team, but having the Holy Spirit put a positive bug in someones ear would beat any advertising firm, hands down.

So I am off to Frankfort, KY, the state's capital. I'll be doing this at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. Gee...I am just missing their patronal festival!

Callie the black lab was delivered to her home yesterday and Emmy is back in her glory of reigning queen of her domain. In about an hour we will be in the car and on our way. The departure was slightly delayed on the receipt of some news. I have come to look at turns in the road, switchbacks, detours, obstacles as part of the journey. As a human who makes mistakes, the ordination vows that I took 15 years ago as of June 15 put one thing solidly in my brain: Faith is not a destination - it is a journey. By faith I go forth, praying that God's love comes through.

I will, no doubt, learn many lessons along this faith journey. I will meet many people, even some real 'characters' as Mare used to say. No tin men, yet those whose hearts may need repair. No lions, but some who have lost their truest self and confidence somewhere along the way. No scarecrows, but those who have been convinced by others that they have no intellect or honest common sense. Some of us just want to find our way back home to Christ but have become hurt or lost or distracted along the way.

Wisdom has informed me I needn't interfere with God's plan for them or push them along, ignoring God's time line or learning curve -- for them or me. I need only place each individual in the loving hands of God through prayer. It's just as simple and complicated as that. Get out of the way and let God do God's work.

With Em's bag ready, all CDs picked out and in the folder, the blouses pressed, alb in the bag and enough basic travel stuffs nearly in my mini duffel, the only thing left is to back are a few refreshments and truck stop mugs--refills are cheaper that way! With Gertrude (the GPS system) on and running, it's off to see the Wizard and learn more lessons along the way. I know there will be some. You just never know when they'll pop up! This time around, the road will be blacktop with some yellow dashes down the middle.

"Happy Trails to You" on your faith journeys as well, regardless of where you're headed. Put yourself in His hands... but be sure to keep alert with both hands on the steering wheel! Faith ISN'T the destination, it's the journey.

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p.s. to all the folks who wrote to me about my typo, thanks. The color is burnt ochre. Live and learn, live and learn!!