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  • July 14, 2021

It’s Only A Problem If

I am a city girl, who married a city boy. But, this city boy has a love for outdoor adventure. I am a planner, a calendar keeper. But, my lover of outdoor adventure embraces spontaneous moments. I am a creature of comfort. But, spontaneous moments in outdoor adventure push beyond comfort. My nature is not…

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  • By: Joy Marker
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joy.marker

✍️Writing hope-filled words of reflection.
🌅 Cultivating beauty in every season.

On this Earth Day, perhaps it would serve us well On this Earth Day, perhaps it would serve us well to remember that, as Wendell Berry says, “The earth is what we all have in common.”

We are in this world together. 

#randomquote #earthday #bettertogether
Something to consider: “Hope is that beautiful p Something to consider: 

“Hope is that beautiful place between the way things were and the way things are yet to be.” Unknown

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #spring #hope #naturesrhythms #randomquote
I am a big fan of shared stories and believe share I am a big fan of shared stories and believe shared stories can change lives. Yet lately, I have been wondering if we are too quick to share our words and too slow to live our actual lives, our everyday stories.

There is so much noise, everyone shouting, “let me tell you.”

I wonder what the world would look like if more of us decided to use fewer words to “tell” and instead lived lives that “showed.”

“The person who teaches others by actions, not by words, is truly wise.”
Henri Nouwen

#randomreflection #randomquote #sharedstories #livedstories
The word humility is often defined as a low view o The word humility is often defined as a low view of one’s self-importance, making it sound like an unfavorable position to take. But what if we took a closer look, from a different angle?

Humility is a derivative of the Latin word humilitas, which means one who is grounded or near the earth. Might we consider that humility is better defined as having a clear understanding of where we come from and our place in this world? What if we recognize humility as an act of surrendering one’s own will, walking by faith, and trusting that God’s story is greater than any we could dare to imagine?

I appreciate Andrew Murray’s definition, “Humility is simply acknowledging the truth of [our] position as creature and yielding to God His place.”

Perhaps humility, instead of being an unfavorable position to take, says, I do not need to strive to be first, to be recognized, to be loved, to be known, because I am already fully known and fully loved. Therefore, I can live not out of my own strength and desires but from a place of surrender and love.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #spring #humility #naturesrhythms
Reading the book of Jeremiah feels like reading th Reading the book of Jeremiah feels like reading the news these days. It can be a challenging and disheartening read. While written to Jewish people in exile in Babylon, there is something we can learn about living in situations we may not have chosen.

There are questions I hold, and occasionally find solace in the stories of old.

I asked God how to live in this broken land, and he answered, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you and pray on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” 

I asked God why he allowed the hearts of some to be without compassion, and he answered, “So you will seek me and find me, and when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found in you."

What questions do you find yourself asking these days?

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #questions
I’ve spent the last few years intentionally paying I’ve spent the last few years intentionally paying attention to the rhythms of nature and pondering how we as humans might learn from and live more in rhythm with nature’s seasons. The fascinating thing about humans is that we can choose to interpret and understand life and nature’s rhythms in more than one way.

My life in rhythm with nature’s seasons can and should look different than yours. Just as nature is made up of more than one species, we humans are all uniquely individual, and what we need and offer is also unique.

As we enter the newly arrived season of Spring, I find myself reflecting on how this season always seems to prompt waiting, transition, and change. New things seem to come about in Spring.

Follow the link in my bio to join me over on Substack, Throughout The Seasons, as we consider the rhythm of seasons and ask questions like:

What does this year’s season of Spring need to look like?

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #spring #change #naturesrhythms
Happy Easter 💐 He is Risen! Happy Easter 💐

He is Risen!
What happened on Good Friday was not something Jes What happened on Good Friday was not something Jesus deserved. It was neither a good nor a justified punishment for a man who loved and cared for others. Yet, it was necessary to get us to the next part of the story. It was a sacrificial act of love that did not end on this day.

Today is not called Good Friday because it was pleasant or morally excellent. Rather, we call it good because it represents the Goodness of God’s Love.

Because of what happened on this day, we can walk by faith through the most difficult circumstances. Always remembering that God loves us with a sacrificial love and makes our story beautiful and good.

#randomreflection #goodfriday #holyfriday #spring #easterweekend
Andrew and our eldest were planning a Spring Break Andrew and our eldest were planning a Spring Break adventure. But plans changed, and both our boys decided they needed to stay home. So, I volunteered to go instead. 

This adventure included bikes and off-road trails. And while I am happy to ride paved, even gravel paths, I am not known for adventuring off the main trail.

Next month, I turn 52. Some of you will consider that to be very old, while others think the fifties to still be young. I am still young (at heart) but not in denial of my aging, and as a planner, I am considering what I want the next season of life to look like. 

I’ve always said that when I grow up, I want to be just like my grandmother, a statement that still rings true.

When I was in my twenties, my Grandmother called me to tell me about this class she was taking, learning how to assist older people as they age. At the time, my Grandmother was already in her seventies, living in a retirement community. I considered her one of those old people. My Grandmother explained to me that, in their community, they were among the youngest people. She saw an opportunity to learn how to be a better neighbor and friend to those around her. That, my friend, is the attitude of a lifelong learner, and that is who I want to be when I grow up.

Andrew is the best at adapting adventures to my comfort level, so we mostly stayed on paved trails. However, I said yes to trying something new and agreed to venture onto a green-level off-road trail. At first, I felt confident and excited about my ability to tackle the trail, but when the bigger rocks came, I’m not gonna lie, I kind of freaked out for a minute. Yet I was excited to take on something hard and come out stronger. 

No matter our age or season of life, may we continue to take on new challenges and be willing to learn.

Life does not have an arrival point, a destination we get to and settle in. Things are always changing, and as lifelong learners, we are always learning, growing, and adapting to our environment. 

What’s something new you’ve taken on lately? What adventures are you planning to take on?

#randomreflection #lifelonglearner #newadventures #spring
We use words often without consideration for where We use words often without consideration for where they came from or what they mean. Hense, my habit of throwing out words to ponder. 

Today, I've been considering the word Hosanna. It's a word that comes up often during this season of Easter, particularly on Palm Sunday.

Hosanna is most commonly used as a word of joy, adoration, or praise in religious contexts. However, it seems to run a little deeper than just being happy. 

Hosanna is a Hebrew-derived of the word (hōshīʽāh-nnā) meaning "I beg you to save!" or "please deliver us," It comes from a place of distress and need of rescue. 

I imagine that when welcoming Jesus during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday Hosanna was praise and adoration. Perhaps co-mingled with relief and a reinforced request to Jesus that he was there to deliver them. 

As you pass through this season of Easter celebrations, what word or words are you pondering?

#randomreflection #spring #palmsunday #easter
It can be challenging these days to write hope-fil It can be challenging these days to write hope-filled words. 

I sometimes wonder whether, in doing so, readers will assume I am oblivious to what is happening all around me. Writing about ordinary life and beauty can feel like swimming against the current.

And yet, I believe that we cannot allow darkness to overshadow what is good and beautiful in our ordinary days. We need reminders to keep living well in our community and to shine a light on all that is good.

It is important to remember that as seekers of beauty and wonder-filled days, we are not deniers of the complex realities of life. We very much see and hold the truth of brokenness and pain.

We are simply learning to allow the co-mingling of realities to dance together while asking beauty and goodness to take the lead.

We can be treasure hunters and beauty seekers, people who count blessings and hold gratitude for that which is good. 

AND

We can also be living as chronic pain warriors and truth-tellers, bravely taking on the hard parts of our stories.

We are, and we are becoming, beautifully complex stories.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #beautyseekers #wonder #becoming
Scars, we all carry them; it is the harsh reality Scars, we all carry them; it is the harsh reality of the world in which we live.  These scars come in different shapes and sizes, some emotional, some physical, some worn visibly, while others remain hidden.

Multiple Sclerosis Warriors carry hidden scars from our disease, often referred to as lesions—the area of damage or scarring on our brain and spinal cord.

While most internal scars remain unseen, MS patients have the luxury of the occasional brain and/or spinal cord MRI to monitor their disease’s progress. While an MS patient may not show a continued physical decline for a time, the condition can still be active, waiting to disrupt communication between our brain and body.

There are different ways to look at the scars we all carry. They can be heavyweights that keep us from moving forward. Or they can help change us for the better.  While I am not sure that I can say I am grateful for my scars, I do believe they have led me to beautiful places I may not have gone otherwise.

Some scars are fully healed wounds, while others are scabbed and still occasionally breaking open. 

While in general, scars are reminders of damage done, they can also be stories of healing and hope. The beautiful thing is we get to choose what to do with our scars.

I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to carry scars around, I want them to matter, to tell beautiful stories of healing.

May we allow God’s Grace to fill the scars still broken open.  May our wounds, our scars, be stories used to bring healing, hope, and kindness to our world. 

#randomreflection #MSawareness #MSwarrior
Today, regardless of the weather, we officially we Today, regardless of the weather, we officially welcome Spring.

As we emerge from a cold and dark Winter, may we find Spring a beautiful gift.

In our excitement over new blooms, may we not rush growth, forgetting the importance of strong roots.

Even though the challenges of Winter may linger, may we find renewed strength to hold onto hope for the new growth to come.

As Winter and Spring dance together in the transition between seasons, may we remember that "Hope is that beautiful place between the way things were and the way things are yet to be." Unknown

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #spring #hope #transition
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and the first official day It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and the first official day of Spring is just around the corner. While little Irish blood runs through my veins, a lot of Ireland is held close in my heart. The majority of my childhood was spent in Ireland, and I feel a strong urge to throw out some Old Irish Gaelic.

Beannacht duit ar La Fhéile Phadraig

Translated, Blessings to you on St. Patrick's Day

Th' an t-earrach a' tighinn. 

Translated, Spring is coming.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for Spring.

Perhaps it is because Spring arrives at the tail end of Winter, and let's face it: even we #winterenthusiasts are getting tired of Winter. 

Maybe it's the new growth that appears after everything has been dormant for so long. Have you noticed? The trees are starting to awaken from their Winter slumber, and the daffodils are blooming. All over Ireland right now, from simple gardens to castle lawns, I imagine them showing off their daffodils.

It could be the warming sunshine on your face, the birdsong in your ears, or the smell of freshly cut grass; who knows for sure?

Whatever it is, Spring seems to bring hope with its arrival. 

So on this St. Patrick’s Day, as we anticipate the coming of Spring, I leave you with this Irish Blessing.

“May the road rise to meet you. 
May the wind be always at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
The rains fall soft upon your fields. 
And, until we meet again, 
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

#randomreflection #stpatricksday #seasons #winter #spring #irishblessings
A Quote to Consider: “Only God could say what thi A Quote to Consider:

“Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. 
Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, 
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.”
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin

#randomquote #changingseasons
The word 'cultivate' is often used in farming and The word 'cultivate' is often used in farming and gardening to mean preparing and encouraging growth, but its meaning goes beyond just working with soil.

When we choose to cultivate our lives with intention, we see that whatever we focus on in our minds will grow. We also learn how important it is to clear away the weeds in our hearts, making room for God's grace and love to change us.

As a gardener tends their plants, we can actively tend to our personal growth.  By regularly pausing to reflect on our habits and routines, removing that which is no longer healthy, and planting beautiful seeds, we can cultivate a life that bears good fruit, a life that is rich in purpose and joy.

#randomreflection #awordtoponder #throughouttheseasons #preparingforspring #cultivate
March arrives, and I very much want it to feel lik March arrives, and I very much want it to feel like Spring immediately. Yet, seasonal transition does not happen overnight. There is this co-mingling of seasons for a while, a dancing of sorts, where Winter takes the lead one day and then Spring steps in the next.

In this transition, I have slowly begun the seasonal shift in my home, rhythms, and routines.  I have adjusted our meal plan, reducing the comfort foods and adding lighter soups and spring-like salads. I’ve been cleaning out my closet, adjusting outfits to include layers that can adapt to the ever-changing temperatures. 

This weekend, I took some time to update my Random Reflection website, giving the Books and Other Things I Love page a fresh look for Spring. 

If you’re curious or looking for inspiration in this seasonal transition, follow the link in my bio to visit Books and Other Things I Love, Spring Edition.

#randomreflection #booksandotherthingsIlove #throughouttheseasons #preparingforspring #spring #chagingseasons
Not so fun fact:  Multiple Sclerosis is only one o Not so fun fact:  Multiple Sclerosis is only one of over 100 autoimmune diseases.  Early symptoms of autoimmune diseases are often things like pain and fatigue, and can present similarly for different autoimmune issues.  It can take years and many doctors before getting a diagnosis.

I was one of the lucky ones, getting a clear diagnosis quickly.  

Autoimmune diseases are often invisible diseases.  Meaning you can't tell someone is sick.  They are mostly treated, not cured. Leading to life long journeys learning to live with a chronic illness.  

I have chosen to walk this journey openly. I am blessed with people who love, encourage and support me.  I believe we are all stronger together. Yet many people walk these journeys in silence for various reasons. Or they walk alone, isolated.  

Awareness is so important.  There are so many personal battles people face.  Multiple Sclerosis and autoimmune diseases are just a few .....

March is #msawareness month, but the need for awareness goes far beyond this one disease.

Please be slow to make assumptions. Be generous with grace and kindness. Our battles are not always visible for the public eye to see.  

#msawareness #mswarrior #kindnessmatters #randomreflection
As a task-oriented, get-things-done person, I can As a task-oriented, get-things-done person, I can find transitions challenging. I know Spring is just around the corner. There have even been days when the weather feels more Spring than Winter making me eager to put away my heavy coat and winter sweaters in favor of spring-like attire. And yet, I am learning the value of sitting in transition, the dance between seasons. I am learning the gift of being fully present in the days of Winter that remain, while also preparing my heart and my home for the Spring that is to come.

As I am learning to live more in rhythm with nature's seasons, I have found myself drawn to books that incorporate seasons into their stories. Often, I pick up a book with seasonal themes I have long ago read and skip to the season we are preparing to welcome. What do I need to remember as I prepare for this coming season? 

Recently, I pulled Seasons of the Soul by Michelle Derusha off my dusty shelf, and as I searched for the section on Spring, I landed on words I knew my heart needed to hear.  A reminder that my inpatient soul needed, that perhaps your soul needs too.

“The productive, striving, achievement-oriented part of me had no patience for the early March pace of my soul’s rousing. I wanted to get going, put a plan in place, take action, tick goals off my checklist. [] But the soul awakens in much the same way that spring arrives on the Nebraska Prairie—slowly, gently stretching from its long winter's sleep.” Michelle Derusha

#randomreflection #changingseasons #preparingforspring #embracingwinter
March arrives, and while there are plenty of days March arrives, and while there are plenty of days that it still feels like Winter outside, I begin to consider what needs to be done to prepare for Spring's arrival.

As soon as the weather begins to warm, I am tempted to rush out and start buying all the freshly budding flowers to curate an appearance of Spring. And yet, I have learned over the years that this method does not produce sustainable growth.

If I rush the transition of seasons, producing the feeling of Spring before its time, frost will kill the beautiful plants I forget to bring inside at night. I am learning to slow down and allow the seasons to dance together for a while. I am learning that to cultivate sustainable growth, I must first clear out what no longer serves a purpose and prepare the crusted-over soil, allowing fresh air, nutrients, and water to penetrate deeper, where plant roots grow.

Spring makes me think about caring for the earth, but it’s also a chance to care for our own souls. Let’s be honest—cultivating isn’t always easy or enjoyable. Still, using the change of seasons to reflect on my rhythms and routines can be helpful.

This month's edition of Throughout the Seasons is all about Cultivating Sustainable Growth as we prepare for Spring. Read more reflections by following the link in my bio.

#randomreflections #throughouttheseasons #winter #preparingforspring #cultivate
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