Second Thoughts – A Council in Cavendish

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

As the evening air cools and the trees kick their leaves from the nest I find my heart drawn to the road.  When I was young I used to wrap myself in a heavy woolen cloak, collect my staff (yes, I have both), and walk the southern woodlands of my youth.  I miss those times.  I miss the smells of autumn, the occasional fires, and the discovery of places unknown.  

I also remember the times that I desired to leave all that was my life at that time and become a wander.  I had a vast vision of things I hoped I might become.  I pictured myself a modern day itinerant helper of others.  Carrying my possessions along byways and stopping to earn a small living and help others.  I loved walking back then.  I valued the journey above the destination in those days. 

Tonight, I sit alone in the council of the cold and my churchwarden of Cavendish.  The fragrant leaf calls to mind dreams of traveling with hobbits and elves and enjoying some Longbottom Leaf.  I am not sure where the ever-beaconing path is taking me these days but I will sit in my council of Cavendish looking at the stars and missing simpler days. 

Regret, loneliness, and poor choices from my past attempt to sway me from faith and hope.  Instead I will pray as I muse on the breeze-born blue vapor of failed smoke rings and imagined dragon breaths.  It is in this quiet moment of prayer and ponderance that I will find my footing to continue the path after I rest a bit.  

I can find only the next step or two along the road but will not despair that I cannot see further.  The light I carry will only allow me a step or two.  That, however, is enough to keep me from stumbling.  It is enough to keep fear from hindering my progress. 

As I pray and ponder I find no answers other than this.  The Cavendish is almost done and the chill begins to seep through my cloak.  I have no fire here to tend or company to serve.  I will turn to my evening rest still feeling the same but further determined to move on the down the road toward home.  If you find someone in need of a fellow traveler Dear Reader, please send them my way.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Of Mice and Men – The Road

Greetings Dear Reader,

At this point the road slips beneath us at speeds my Great-Grandfather thought dangerous to humans.  I love long drives especially when they take me to knew and unknown roads. 

This journey is mostly familiar and I have driven it dozens of times over the last twenty years.  There are moments and landmarks that mean much to me.  The hamlet of Paw-Paw with it windfarm and train museum is a byword in our family.  We have broken down twice there. 

The Effingham Cross is always a moment of prayer and reverence for me.  That such a great symbol of death inspires so deeply is a beautiful analogy of redemption to me.  It is also the gateway moment to Metropolis and the Superman Museum. 

My destination today is Macon.  I have not been to Macon in some time though it figures greatly in the first part of my dystopian novel currently under construction.  I first road in an old Thunderbird on my way to Macon as a boy.  The car had a slide over steering wheel and a thermometer speedometer. 

Driving always brings out so many memories.  Christmas is sleeping as is her passion when traveling.  The combination of the road and her snoring gives me so much time to muse and reflect.  I try to get the most out of the journeying part of the journey.  It is rarely the destination for me.

Both freedom and loneliness are constant companions for me when I drive long distances.  I pray and worship the God I love as I drive.  I ponder the lives of those I pass and who pass me.  I wonder where they are on the path back to God.  Everything about this journey is about the fellow travelers and our Guide. 

As I near each milestone I hope that I impart love and grace to the single serving friendships I encounter at gas stations and diners.  I hope that I am kind to those who seek hope and landmarks that guide them home.

I realize that there is no destination here that is more attractive to me than my final destination.  I long for that Undiscovered Country where the clearing at the end of the path yields welcome and true home.  For now, I must find what joy I can in the journey. 

Our real adventure begins tomorrow.  For today I will look at the sunrise, enjoy the road, and stop at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  As I meddle in the affairs of wizards and fairies I will take care not to get burned.  The road goes ever on and on Dear Reader.  Journey well today as I hope to do.  Spare a prayer for me if you are so inclined.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Home to House – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today I will be walking out of the house for that last time.  There are few things left to move.  There are a few things left to donate and some cleaning to do.  There will be the locking of doors and leaving behind of a place that used to be home.

I am singularly reminded that none of this is my home.  I am a wayfaring traveler on a journey home.  The road is long and it is easy to get bogged down in temporary things.  The problem is that we do not define temporary broadly enough.  Every THING I have is temporary.  Eventually it will all be rubbish on some level.

So I close a chapter.  I face the unknown frontier.  I do so with the light of Christ.  I do so with him as my only hope.  That will be enough.  I will dive deep for a bit into the things which are vital to being a faithful follower. 

I realize that some of you Dear Reader have been troubled by my raw pain and grief.  It is where I am.  It is what I am processing.  It is not permanent nor is it beyond the pale.  My faith is firm.  My heart is hurting.   The road calls and I must go on; ever on. 

The Things We Leave Behind – Michael Card

There sits Simon, so foolishly wise

Proudly he's tending his nets

Then Jesus calls and the boats drift away

And all that he owns he forgets

But more than the nets, he abandoned that day

He found that his pride was soon drifting away

And it's hard to imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

Matthew was mindful of taking the tax

And pressing the people to pay

Hearing the call, he responded in faith

And followed the light and the way

And leaving the people so puzzled he found

The greed in his heart was no longer around and

And it's hard to imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

Every heart needs to be set free

From possessions that hold it so tight

'Cause freedom's not found in the things that we own

It's the power to do what is right

With Jesus, our only possession

And giving becomes our delight

And we can't imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

We show a love for the world in our lives

By worshiping goods we possess

Jesus has laid all our treasures aside

And love God above all the rest

'Cause when we say no, to the things of the world

We open our hearts to the love of the Lord and

It's hard to imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

And when we say no, to the things of the world

We open our hearts to the love of the Lord and

It's hard to imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

Oh, and it's hard to imagine the freedom we find

From the things we leave behind

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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The Best of Times; the Worst of Times – The Road Goes On – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I packed away my Dickens books yesterday.  Most of my books are ready to travel.  The remnants of June and all of July will be filled with packing and preparation.  August will be spent moving.   I have the entire month but other events will demand my time as well.

Amidst these events that no one enjoys and are necessary to the movement of the universe there will be best of times.  We will have a fire this week.  There are baseball games.  The highlight of the summer will be my Grandson singing at one those games.  We are all excited about this.

Georgia peaches come next week.  I have found a wonderful gift for my Son for Father’s day.  New technology is on the horizon.  Travel and birthdays move onto the scene soon.  The summer of this year holds change both loved and loathed.

It is up to me to realize that the constant of change will damage and heal.  It will make best of times and worst of times available.  My duty is to look for Christ in every moved no matter how painful or sublime.   I am following through this time not defined by it.  I am seeking a kingdom beyond this one.  Tis a far far better thing that I do. 

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.  – J.R.R. Tolkien

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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