Thursday ~ NYC, Subways, Taxis and Gratefulness

I made it to NYC!

It was my day to finally begin to make sense of the subways.

I had some bad experiences early on in my time in NJ

when I took subways the wrong way or got lost in the cavernous rooms

with many ways out and if you took the wrong one, 

it could really turn your sense of place around.

It's super easy for me to get lost, so that it worked today,

was a real blessing.  

I knew it was not hard, but today it clicked more into place.

 I am thankful. 

***

I had some wonderful lentil soup and bread.

I made it to Trader Joes and got 2 (frozen) cranberry pies!

***

My Husband and I had dinner together in NYC

before we headed back home... we took the train that

is more predictable in having a seat to sit down on,

so we took a train on the NJ side after the PATH train getting home.

So the pictures of NYC are from the train station in NJ looking at NYC. 

***

I had an interesting taxi ride. I often talk to the cabbies. It's something

I actually really enjoy.  The first one was from Africa and he talked about how

people have to be in less of a rush and take care of their health over

rushing around everywhere. So very true.

Another one had all sort of views on spiritual topics... I found myself 

in conversations about life after death, creation, God and many other things.

I am glad whenever I hear of others trying to figure out the big questions

and think about them.  It was clear that his man was not always well received in his 

ideas, from what he said; I found that sad. We should encourage others, 

especially when they are trying to grapple with big questions. 

***

On a different topic.... 

I got an email (so did many other alumni!) from my undergraduate University.

I graduated from Trinity Western University with a degree in Honours English.

I am standing with them now in prayer and ask for your prayers as well.

I don't get into world events much on my blog, to say the least,

but they are fighting for the freedom to be a Christian and not be

discriminated against.  It all started when they wanted to found a law school...

and found a fight on their hands... 

And the fight is at the Supreme Court of Canada in about 2 weeks.

I sincerely ask your prayers.  You can read about it here or here

and here's a great article from TWU's president on what is at stake.

Sometimes I think whole books should be written on the fact that

to believe in traditional values does not mean hatred or that one

cannot love those one disagrees with. My goodness, 

it is so clear from the New Testament that one is to have a clear answer

for what one believes and to speak with love, gentleness and courage.

***

Well, I began reading another book, it's such a relief to be able to read...

I picked up Catherine Marshall's A Closer Walk ... 

Marshall's books were very influential ... she was very popular in her day...

it's hard to imagine now, sadly, as what is popular has really changed...

but her books blessed me and it's nice to visit with her, as it were, again

and read her thoughts.... 

I've been an Orthodox Christian for over 13 years now, 

there are a lot of distinctives in Orthodox Christianity that are 

different, even startling so, than Protestant Christianity.

But this never means that we cannot learn from each other

or that one can respect and love each other.

This should be obvious of course, but sadly, it is easy to

let differences sideline love and charity.

So, it's been a good visit with this author, I've read about half of it now.

I think one of the big things, that I see in this book and also that I 

have been reflecting on a lot is that one never stops growing.

That people are broken, we have, as C. Marshall and her (second) husband

Len wrote, major weaknesses.  But yet she was used by God to 

encourage so many through her books.  And her devotion to God

and faithfulness to Him is very evident. I think, in part through 

Madeleine L'Engle's books, I have often seen those how are older

(which now means my Grandparents age) will have a lot of wisdom

to share but somehow did not perceive (or perhaps want to see reality) that they too

 have their own personal struggles.  What a silly idea I had!

But it's hard to realize all the same; I think the desire to have others

who can give us reassurance in difficult times and cast light when we 

are in darkness can be so strong that we don't always want to see

that those very people who can do that in our lives, or who we hope

can do that any rate, are still with their own struggles.

Somehow now I see that many can help and encourage us who

have progressed in the Christian life - but - at the same time - 

God can use many in our lives who are still struggling with deep wounds,

with major weaknesses, with huge questions or uncertainty

but that God can still use them to help us or, moreover,

can even use us small ones; at least I am a small one, with, which a lot of weaknesses and struggles.

Isn't it an encouraging thing to realize that God can still use us

and that He loves us even though we stumble?!?

***

I've been listening to this and it has been so nice and peaceful.

I hope you enjoy it too.