It’s been very busy over the last while, and yesterday being a holiday here in Canada for some of us anyway, I intentionally took the day off, and I say intentionally because often even though I try to take a full day every week for my self, my needs often get put aside for something else, and the day goes by and I at the end of the day I feel as if I rarely had a moment for myself.  But yesterday My husband and I  took our dog and set out for a drive down the coast, first stopping into a little antique store on the way that I had heard about from some friends, ‘Washed Ashore Antiques.” It was really worth the stop, I could have gotten lost in time just browsing through the collection of antiques that were there, and I did pick up two beautiful little brass candle holders that I will  find a special place for I am sure.

I will probably take another trip back just to browse someday, or as the shopkeeper said, you’ll want to come back again even if it’s only for the cookies.  He had homemade cookies to sale as well, and we picked up a couple along with a coffee to take along with us, we smiled and laugh and said we would probably be back for the cookies for sure, as they were delicious.   I think sometimes, it is not the big things you do, but the little things that make a day, a time stand out, in that you know something special happened just because you paused to enjoy the moment, to chat with someone, to have a conversation, to share a story, or just to be, and yesterday was for me a day just to be.

It didn’t end there of course, we drove on further down the shore it was a beautiful day, noticing the scenery and landscape along the way, the picturesque communities we passed through as we drove.  We were heading for a little community called Greenspond, because I had heard there were Icebergs off shore. The Labrador current brings them down from Greenland and as I hadn’t seen any icebergs only in picture I was looking forward to seeing them.  Didn’t expect to see any up close, but even if we saw them offshore I was sure they would be beautiful to look at.  We were almost at Greenspond, when we saw some vehicles stopped up ahead, and some people were out looking, thinking perhaps it was a moose they had seen on the side of the road as is often the case in Newfoundland and you have to keep watch for them. I told my husband to be careful and on the look, but we only drove a few more feet before I saw the iceberg, I could hardly believe my eyes, it was breathtaking to look at, beautiful, serene, majestic.

A summit of ice with the light shimmering and reflecting of it and below the water line the berg extended down into the deep, just gorgeous.  It was beautiful to look at, but also brought a feeling of melancholy thinking about how the climate is changing and the effects it is having on the polar icecap.  Could this mountain of ice brought down by the ocean current be a result of that, and how might this be affecting the environment.  Admiring this phenomena for a time, and thinking about it’s origins and the power of the oceans in bringing it to where it was, gave pause for reflection on the majesty of God’s creation. Magnificent indeed!

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.” (psalm 24:1-2).  

We began our journey back up the shore with a few more stops along the way to take in a few interesting points, but the iceberg sighting had won the day.

Yes, it was a good day, no telephone ringing, no emails to answer, no rushing out the door to tend to or help resolve some issue, or pastoral visits to make, no tending to some of the many administrative things always waiting on my desk, no meetings to attend, or sermons to write, oh that will all be there when I get back but this was a day just to be, and it felt good.  It felt good because I was caring for self, and while perhaps that is the one thing so often neglected in the line of the many duties of the parish clergy it is a very essential one. As we often say how can we care for others unless we care for self.  And so today while it was about me, caring for my own spiritual and physical needs, it was also about what I do in my ministry, being able to give in the way that is needed. It ended with us taking in a concert of folk music, it was beautiful and relaxing.  And so I thank God for this day, and for the joy of seeing new things, the delight found in the moment, for the wonder and beauty of God’s creation that leaves us breathless and so ever thankful for the gift of time, to Just be for this day, this moment, this time.