Exploring the Loop

I’ve been walking the trails off Gravel Pit Road — series 400 logging roads in Jackson Demonstration State Forest — for about eight years.
Recently, via a local trails map, I discovered a path I had hiked many times made a loop.
I wasn’t sure how long it would take to walk the entire loop, so I set out to hike the west side for forty minutes one way.
When I reached that time limit, I saw an old wooden plank painted red and broken into pieces. I thought it made a good marker to alert me when I’d be coming from the other direction.
The next time I went on the trail, I began hiking from the east side of the loop.
I prayed not to step on any banana slugs because they were plentiful and in multiple sizes from tiny to large.
After forty minutes passed, I wondered: Should I keep going? Did I veer off on a side trail? Am I even close to the midpoint?
I began photographing landmarks I didn’t recognize and taking note of how many minutes I had been hiking.
After an hour I thought: Maybe I should turn back. I don’t recognize anything. Yet I feel like I’m close.
That’s when I saw some pieces of red wood. Not the exact pieces on the other half of the loop, but certainly from the same plank of wood. How far away could I be? Truth be told, I was very close.
In many areas of life I tend to believe I’m lost right before I’m “found.” But God always knows where I’m going, even if it is in a grand loop.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

S is for Snake

She greeted me as an S shape on the front walk. S is for snake, Sondra, serendipity.
I felt so happy to see her, as thin as a pencil, so delicate, so vulnerable. How does she accept my giant presence without fear?
But then she coiled. Is she protecting herself by potentially lashing out?
The snake then looked me in the eye. Was she evaluating the level of threat I posed?
She moved into an infinity pose. No beginning and no end — a way to perceive God, our souls…
Then she unfurled and created a lasso. You’ve captured my fancy, roped me into layering my thoughts over your world.
She stuck her tongue out at me. I chuckled. Leave it to me to philosophize about a snake.
When she turned belly up, I knew she was playing dead. Complete surrender. Her last strategy. I then left her alone but thought to myself: complete surrender isn’t such a bad strategy, is it?

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Entangled

Lately, my life seems all tangled up.
When I solve one problem, another pops up.
I feel like I’m stuck in a dark hole,
and my usual ways of extricating myself from this place aren’t working.
If I simply change my perception, will my outlook change?
I’d like to think I can do this: walk through darkness into The Light
and find myself in a place where my view might still be a bit askew,
but opens up enough for me to no longer feel trapped and helpless.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

We are Enough

Some bees are created to collect pollen.
Calla lilies not only give pollen, but pleasure to the passersby.
Pussy willows are harbingers of spring.
Paths are made for walking
and wings are for flying.
Everything has its purpose for existing and so do we.
We were created to be who we are,
here and now,
and that is enough in God’s eyes.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Resurrection Expectation

Easter is over for this year,
having just passed,
but it always conjures up excitement in me.
I have an expectation that something marvelous,
unbelievable
and inherently mysterious
is about to happen.
And it always does.
The burning yellow orb of the sun
peeks above the horizon
reminding me I am alive!
Flowers throw open their petals with abandon shouting:
kiss me, sun!
Plants, presumed dead, gloriously reappear.
Resurrection is palpable.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Precision Pruning

My husband had successful shoulder surgery this past week and while waiting, I had time to ruminate.
Scalpels are used to cut out tissue that needs to be excised from the body.
The wound hurts, but heals.
I’ve always had trouble pruning plants.
Cutting a plant’s stem or branches, if done correctly, increases flowering.
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, the Bible mentions pruning as necessary to spiritual growth.
Dead branches need to be sliced off.
But the real kicker is that branches producing fruit also need to be trimmed to bear more fruit.
God, as the Great Gardener,
knows just where I need pruning.
I may feel wounded at first
but in hindsight, I am able to see fruitful growth.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

The Role of Flowers

Years ago I was “made to understand” that I would walk The Path of Flowers and I believe I have.
I now live in a place where something is always flowering.
Through any pain I experience there is also the beauty of blooms to cheer me.
Flowers are sent to those who are ill or suffering.
They are used for celebrations
or to honor those who have passed away.
The Lenten rose is named after a time in the Christian liturgical calendar that precedes Easter.
Many people are even named after flowers, my nieces and sister included.
Quaker George Fox famously said to walk cheerfully over the earth, answering that of God in everyone.
Flowers seem to “walk” everywhere, bringing joy to any who encounter them. Dare we do the same?

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Natural Wisdom

Bee: When you rest, magic happens.
Clouds: I am but water in another form.
Horizon: What lies over the horizon? Be ready for anything.
Mini Pond: Here today, gone tomorrow — so live each day to the fullest.
Calla Lily: Stand up for yourself!
Bench in Field: Stop. Look. Listen. Life is all around you.
Lichen: Grow wherever there is opportunity, even in the most unlikely places.
Daffodils: Brighten someone’s day!
Sea Cave: Find the Light and swim towards it as if your life depended on it.
Blackberry Thorns: Protect yourself, but freely give your fruit.
Flocked Seagulls (far right on sand): Joined together, the world doesn’t seem too large.
Stranded Logs: No need to struggle; let the waves take you where you need to go.
Wood Grain: See the patterns.
Whale Bench: When troubles loom whale-large, sit awhile and things will fall into perspective.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Part Of

I get off balance quite easily,
and feel like I’m on a tenuous tightrope,
ready to be swept away by the next wave of anxiety.
Thoughts become distorted
and I forget about my Rock — God —
who oversees everything
with a watchful eye,
who centers me
and reminds me who I am:
part of everything;
part of The Creator, The Great I Am.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.

Lost?

Do you ever feel lost?
When I was young
I imagined being very small:
blades of grass towered over me,
mushrooms served as trees
and roots were precarious bridges.
But I was always being watched over by the Creator of this tiny world
so when I lost my way,
I was always found.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.