A continuing legacy

It has been too long since I have seen my dear friend Joy, with whom I discussed the issues of life and the things of God for many years. She is now in a nursing home, suffering a form of dementia that leaves her a little bewildered and unsure what is happening at times. Yet at other times, she is so aware and remembers so much.

‘Of course I do!’ she says with spirit, when I ask if she knows me. ‘Oh Jo-Anne! So lovely to see you!’

I am embarrassed because three family members are also visiting, yet they assure me I am welcome. Eventually, I show Joy my new book, Becoming Me, wondering if she will recall the struggle it has been to write.

‘I’m so glad you finally have this published,’ she says. ‘It has been a long journey for you.’

I am touched and amazed she remembers—and cares even now.

Somehow, the conversation turns to poetry. The granddaughter present recalls how Joy often used to read poems aloud to her whenever she visited—especially the poetry of Mary Oliver. Together, we try to recite lines from a particular poem of hers we all love. We stumble, unsure of the exact wording. Then, to our surprise, Joy joins in and together, we remember it clearly. It is the last two lines from the poem, ‘The Summer Day’:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

We sit in quietness, reflecting on these words which have always challenged me. I then remind Joy of another poem she shared with me—this time one she herself wrote. I love it so much I included it in an earlier book, Soul Friend, my memoir about the spiritual journey Joy and I shared over many years. I have brought a copy with me, thinking Joy may have forgotten about this earlier book, and now delve into my bag to retrieve it.

‘I can’t remember what chapter it’s in,’ I say. ‘It would probably take me ages to find.’

Yet there it is, on the very first page I turn to! It’s as if the book opens by itself at the exact spot.

‘Read it to us!’ one of Joy’s daughters urges.

I hesitate, but then plunge in.

I saw the power pole break loose

               as the lurching Melbourne tram

                                rounded a corner,

bouncing here and there in frantic

                searching for connection,

                                almost joyous dancing …

I read on, as the words explore the idea of finding true freedom to live life fully, aware the poem may touch some raw places in us all.

Soon after, I need to leave.

‘I don’t want you to go!’ Joy says softly, touching my hand. It is a tender moment.

As I drive home, I reflect on the beautiful legacy she has left and is still leaving in this world in so many ways. And I decide again I want to continue touching others’ hearts with God’s love like that too, to speak of true freedom, to make a difference in this world.

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

What is the legacy you are leaving in this world? … What are you doing with your ‘one wild and precious life’?

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Yay!

Do you, like me, have any long-term projects lying around that you hope to get back to ‘one day’? For some time now, I have planned to sort through all my music, as well as our old family photos. And yes, I still have two or three book ideas on my laptop that I began some time ago, but put aside. Then there is that gardening makeover …

But I am delighted to announce there is one long-term project I have now completed. On 1^st October, my second non-fiction book, Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God, will be released at last. Please check out my website here for more information, particularly about the SPECIAL DEAL now available!

I almost gave up on this particular project—several times over. I wrote most of my original version during 2014 and submitted it to my publisher in January 2015, yet one key question remained. Should it really be published? It is a very personal book, after all—it contains many honest reflections on my journey of discovering who God created me to be and of removing the layers covering my true self. Besides, I already have six novels and a memoir, Soul Friend, published. Should I call it a day? Did I have the energy to see this project through?

Then, in January this year, I was asked to remove the reflection questions at the end of each chapter, which then necessitated some further changes. I resubmitted the manuscript, but to no avail. My book was simply not the type of non-fiction my publisher now produces.

So what to do? Should I consider self-publishing? For various reasons, I had always resisted this idea. Then, one Sunday morning in early May, three things happened in quick succession.

The first was a simple, mundane event—I picked up a nail file and, for the first time in months, noticed the little Russian doll, so intrinsic to my story, on the end of it. A friend had given it to me, after hearing about the concept behind Becoming Me, as an encouragement to complete the book.

We headed to church, where a young minister preached on our identity in Christ. To my astonishment, he shared many key themes contained in my book. I sat bolt upright—it was as if an electric current was flowing through me. ‘All these themes are still so important’, I sensed God saying. ‘Put your book out there!’

I came home and discovered a friend had felt prompted to email me John 1:12 from ‘The Message’:

Whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, HE MADE TO BE THEIR TRUE SELVES, their child-of-God selves …

She had capitalised the words ‘He made to be their true selves’—without realising this is the main theme of my new book!

That week, I began the whole self-publishing process. And now at last, those printed copies have actually arrived!

So … is there a project God has challenged you to undertake that you have perhaps put aside? Sometimes we might have to for a period. But maybe, just maybe, it’s time for you to pick it up again. God is so faithful—may we be faithful too.

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Finding that quiet place

‘Which way should I head today?’ I ask myself, as I leave our house for my regular walk. I could head down our street, under the busy main road, past various businesses, then along a short section of bike path to the next street and home again. I could veer right along the bike path, under the railway line, along the edge of the Parramatta River, through the grounds of the nearby university, then home again. Or I could head up the hill towards our local school and shops. Which one should I choose?

Feeling a little restless, I decide to try somewhere different. I drive down to the Rydalmere ferry wharf and park my car. There before me, the lovely, flat bike path winds its way east beside the river towards the Silverwater Bridge and beyond. I set off, walking fast. For some reason, I sense I have not so much chosen this route today as it has chosen me. Could the fact that I am speaking from Psalm 23 later in the week have subconsciously influenced my choice? After all, the psalm does talk about being led beside quiet waters.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (1-2)

The path curves around, leading past a children’s playground and a grove of tall eucalypts. I am tempted to stop and sit on a seat there in the shade, but press on. Cyclists pass me and smile, as do one or two other walkers. I begin to hear the ‘whoosh’ of traffic and realise I have almost reached the Silverwater Bridge. I pass underneath it, then notice on my left a massive number of enormous, new apartment blocks in various stages of completion. Some seem occupied already, while others still have scaffolding around them. I can hear workmen shouting to one another on these sites and the noise of various power tools and machines.

I then discover a brand new, shaded picnic table area nearby, right beside the river, and decide to rest there for a while. As I do, I realise I can hear loud noises coming from either side of me. On my left, there are those workmen on the building site, drilling and hammering and calling out. And on my right, there is the constant hum of that traffic as it makes its way over the Silverwater Bridge. Yet, in between, right where I am, is this peaceful place beside the deep, quietly flowing river. And, even as I sit gazing at the water, I see three pelicans land oh so gracefully on its surface and float along, undisturbed by the noise around them, as if they own the entire river.

In that instant, I sense God saying to me, ‘See, even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of your life, when things are happening all around you and press in on you, I can provide those quiet waters that will restore you deep in your spirit. Stay close to me! Keep listening to me!’

I relax then, on both the outside and the inside. I am held close in my quiet place with God—and I am so grateful.

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Making all the difference

Recently, I heard a wonderful, true story. A young man worked for a bakery and, while taking out the rubbish one evening, discovered another young man trying to steal something from the bakery premises. He hauled him inside, explained to the owner what had happened, then headed home. When he next fronted up for work, however, he discovered his employer had offered the young offender a job in that same workplace! Instead of punishing him, this employer showed mercy on him and helped him choose a better path in life.

It seems to me this young, would-be thief was given two precious gifts that day, besides that of a paying job. The first was the gift of mercy, which one dictionary defines as ‘compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm’. And the second was the gift of trust, with the owner believing in this young man enough to offer him a job. What wonderful, life-giving, empowering gifts! The first removes that horrible burden of shame and guilt and offers a fresh start in life. And the second helps call into being that sense of self-worth and self-belief that may have been lost or missing altogether.

As I heard this story, I recalled some words from the song the elderly bishop sings to Jean Valjean in both the stage and film version of Les Misérables. Valjean repays the hospitality the bishop has shown him by stealing some valuable silverware, then tells the police the bishop gave it to him. Instead of denouncing the thief, however, the bishop picks up some silver candlesticks and sings the following:

But my friend, you left so early

Surely something slipped your mind?

You forgot I gave these also;

Would you leave the best behind?

Wow—now that is mercy par excellence, don’t you think? The bishop then urges Valjean to realise there is a purpose behind what has occurred and to use the silver ‘to become a better man’. Valjean does exactly that, ultimately changing the lives of many others.

As for the would-be thief in my first story, I wonder how his life changed as a result of the mercy and forgiveness he received. We may never know—but I have been told what a significant experience it was for the young employee who apprehended the thief. That day, he learnt a key life lesson, as he observed such kindness and forbearance in action and took it to heart.

Do you remember a time when you messed up something in your life and felt so stupid and worthless as a result? Did someone trust you enough to offer you another chance and perhaps even help you do better? Sometimes that doesn’t happen for us. Yet, with God, no one misses out. Instead, God’s amazing mercy and forgiveness is offered to each one of us through Jesus, God’s own beloved Son. And as we turn and accept that offer that shows us how much we are loved and valued, we are given a wonderful, fresh start.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

What an amazing privilege to experience this life-changing moment that makes all the difference for us, now and forever!

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