Tuesday, December 22, 2009

One of the best parts of being home

My Mother's cooking.
Homemade apple sauce.
From the garden green beans.
This afternoon I found a book I thought was lost for good -
Walking on Water: reflections on Faith and Writing
by Madeleine L' Engle.
This was a very special book for me years ago,
in 1996,
less than a year after I heard her speak in person.
Every year now coming home is a multi-faceted event.
It is not easy to be a convert to Orthodoxy,
as many know;
so many layers of memories at one's place of upbringing
that are now different than the reality
one lives in now.
Of course I have many layers of memories
of all different places,
as I have moved around a lot.
The world does not stay the familiar place that we once knew;
nothing stays the same
but we must cling to God who remains steadfast
throughout all the ages.
And I must enjoy my time here
as I only get Christmas 2009 once.
God is merciful and gracious
ever abounding in loving kindness...

13 comments:

Michelle M. said...

beautiful post!

Steve Robinson said...

There's no place like home, and no one like Madeleine L'Engle! Merry Christmas!

mamajuliana said...

Have a wonderful time at home with family---that is such a blessing to be given!

RW said...

enjoy your time Elizabeth.

Anastasia Theodoridis said...

Merry Christmas, Elizabeth!

Pres. Kathy said...

Have a blessed Christmas!

elizabeth said...

Thank you everyone!!

You are all such blessings to me!!

Mimi said...

I agree, no place like home for Christmas! Enjoy~

E Helena E said...

Enjoy the time with your family in the midst of all the layers. Glad to know you made it there safely.
Hugs and prayers.

tamie marie said...

lovely post, friend.

Maura said...

Elizabeth, you expressed it so well ~ the layers and the fitting/not fitting of being in the old environment after conversion. Well Glory to God for all things. :)

And. . . that particular book of Madeleine L'Engle was hugely important in my life at an earlier time. Hmmm, perhaps I should read it again.

I'm with you in the working and waiting for Jan 7. . .Holy Nativity!

elizabeth said...

thanks tamie! we need to talk on our birthday!

Thank you Maura, your comments are always a blessing to me.

Juliana said...

Very beautiful. Thank you, Elizabeth. I needed to read this today. I have a lot of uncertainty in my life right now and I needed to be reminded that God is steadfast.

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Love in Christ,
Juliana