Perfect Flight

It was quite apparent, even to my young brain, that I was experiencing something new. I was probably eleven or twelve at the time, the time my heart first skipped a beat. Before my heart skipped a beat when I got a new toy or we went to a new place or I read a really good book, this was different, I wasn't sure I liked it.

Of course, as all young girls do, I had thought about the time when I would like a boy in that way, but up until that moment boys had cooties and liked to eat dirt. Now, for some unexplained, unwanted reason their cooties were cute and maybe eating dirt wasn't so bad after all. Alright, so the eating dirt part still was gross but the boys, not so much! That summer my life changed forever. I grew up a little and left the I Hate Boys Club, at least for a time. I would later join a new club, a more educated club, a more cynical boy hating club that comes after your heart is broken a few times. But for now I was entering into a world unknown, a world I had only glimpsed at through my older sister's eyes, a world I probably wasn't quite ready for, but dove into head first. My stomach turned in knots, by heart began to race, I began to worry about my clothes, my hair, my words. The dance of 'does he like me, or does he like her' had begun. It is inevitable, this waltz, with it's highs and lows. No matter what we do biology pushes us onto the dance floor.

My first crush happened without warning, without heed for my mixed emotions and most of all without an instruction manual. I stumbled into puberty scared and excited and most certainly unsure of my right to be there. A rush of emotions come flooding back when I think of this time in my life. There are still mixed emotions but for the most part bring me back to a place of naive wonder and exuberance. There is no doubt that my young foolish heart was broken not too far into the journey but I wouldn't change anything about it. I keep those butterflies of young love tucked into a deep pocket in my heart, letting them out from time to time. We all have those same butterflies tucked away in our hearts, many of us have clipped their wings, afraid to let them fly free. A few, the lucky, have learned to look in wonder at the beauty of naive young love with reverence and have collected a few more butterflies along the way. Today I will let my butterflies fly free, I will feel like a young girl again ready to experience things for the first time, afraid but willing.

Perfect Pilgrimage?

A book review of The Sacred Journey The Ancient Practices By Charles Foster with forward by Phyllis Tickle

As part of the Ancient Practices series edited by Phyllis Tickle, The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster explores the practice of pilgrimage. Foster pulls from many perspectives: Biblical, historical, his own personal experience and those of others he has met along the way. This book did not reveal it's true self to me until I was able to navigate out of the first few chapters. Once I was able to connect with this work, I was surprised at what was revealed to me. I am still unsure if it was the work of the author that lead me to this place or my personal desire to walk on a spiritual path. No doubt Charles Foster has presented some interesting theology and perhaps enabled one to question their desires for spiritual movement. However, this reader is left wanting more, not necessarily from this author.

The Nomadic lifestyle that is described in the book in both an historic and Biblical perspective is interesting and well worth the read, however, is not to be confused as a 'how to' guide to pilgrimage. In an attempt to discuss pilgrimage in a world view the author has perhaps diverted from the path a bit. This book could perhaps offend many a Christian and make one wonder if Charles Foster has some disdain for Christianity. I believe the author is attempting to suggest that in order to grow spiritually we must keep moving, never becoming sedate or planted in a 'city'. Foster would much prefer we live on the fringe of complacent suburban life and join on a road outside of the settlement. The overall problem with this work is that one is lead to make the best of the worst bits in an attempt to come away with something from the author. This reader came away with a stronger understanding of my own need and desire to seek out what is around the bend, always guided by Jesus. It is hard to say what you may come away with from this book and therefore, at this time, I am not recommending this as a 'must read'.

Disclaimer: The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster was provided by Thomas Nelson through the Book Sneeze program for the purpose of this review.