I’m sitting at The Tea House on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, working on Cal-raven’s Ladder.
It’s the week of the Glen Workshop, my favorite week of the year. I’m surrounded by writers and artists and musicians I admire. Tonight I’m introducing novelist Bret Lott for the keynote address, so I need to compose something for the occasion.
I don’t want to go into details here, but God carried Anne and I through a rather frightful experience this weekend. So many things can go wrong on the road, and we are grateful that God carried us through this encounter unhurt and that he swept us so safely back into a house crowded with God’s creative children.
I want you all to know that I’m so grateful for the richness I find in our conversations. Whether we’re cheering for a new Pixar preview or mining the wisdom of the Inklings, whether we’re arguing about the finer points of artistic ethics or interpreting mysterious lyrics, we’re on a journey that’s full of delights and rewarding challenges. “Looking closer” is a joy, but the world’s so full of wonders that it’s sometimes hard to know where to start, and the world’s so full of demands and distractions that it’s tough to devote my attention to any one thing fully sufficiently.
In the midst of my little ordeal this weekend, I found myself hovering at a distance over my life and I realized that I have no regrets …save that I’m so easily intrigued and distracted by the glories of God’s world that I fail to spend enough to hours in stillness and receptivity to the Spirit. I’m overjoyed at the privilege of exploring the world through art, sheltered and dazzled by God’s patience, affection, and wild mercy. That I am still here to continue that journey is a blessing. I’m grateful that you’re coming along with me in this unfolding story of humbling surprises and amazing grace.
Now, back to a cup of amazing chai (It’s called Coyote Chocolate!), and back to King Cal-raven, who’s riding out into a rainstorm in search of tidings of hope to bring back to his hungry, weary people…
Jeffrey‚ÄîSo glad the Lord saw you and Anne through. What a relief, I’m sure. Have a truly blessed time in Santa Fe. I thank God for both you and your wife. You both continue to be a blessing to me; your writings and poetry have broadened by tiny world. Thank you!
Carolanne
Enjoy your week off!
And for what it’s worth, while I understand that your blog is not typically one that would pass on such things, consider yourself awarded.
I have been much blessed and enriched by a lot of what you’ve written here, so I wanted to pass the award on to you, despite how silly it might be.
Thanks very much!
Praise God for his hand of protection!
Jeffrey, thank you for all the time you pour into the blog. I’ve found some of my favorite movies through your recommendations.
May you find peace and renewal in Santa Fe!
Jeffrey,
So happy to hear that you both made it through your tribulation unhurt.
These words of yours really spoke to me:
“…I have no no regrets‚Äîsave that I‚Äôm so easily intrigued and distracted by the glories of God‚Äôs world that I fail to spend enough to hours in stillness and receptivity to the Spirit.”
Words of great wisdom and insight. We tend to avoid the stillness and silence even as we search for Him. The “regret” you mention feels like the regret some parents feel when they’re married to their work and don’t spend enough time with their children, then at age 65 wonder why they chose to spend the time the way they did. I’ll see if I can heed your words.
Thank you for telling me the story, on the steps in front of St. John’s. I consider it God’s grace, that I was sitting there with you, that we had time to talk, that I had enough concentration to listen and honor your experience, despite altitude/sleeplessness and all (exciting) things Glen.
Safe travels to you and Anne. Praying not only for your physical safety in travel, but for peace to be restored.
Denise
Santa Fe is a great town. I took a road trip there about two years ago.