Breathing In

Today is a perfect day in New Orleans. I'm in Mid-City, sitting outside on N. Carrollton Ave. at my Bean Gallery coffee shop, a pleasant breeze dancing through the air, gas lanterns and palm trees across the way. This morning had a chill to it, like the promise of fall on the horizon. With Saturday's volunteers out the door and to their sites, I could take a minute to breathe deep.

Finally caught up on voicemail, I've retreated after a long week of women- over 200 of them! It was Women's Rebuild Week and the busiest week so far. It went well, but I'm glad it's over! :)

For the first time since arriving here, I think I feel comfortable. Driving through the Garden District, I realized that some of the streets were familiar to me. I just might be adjusting to this town. I also successfully navigated my way to the Wal-Mart on Tchoupitoulas (I dare you to take a stab at pronouncing that one!).

I didn't anticipate this transition to be so all-consuming. The energy expended in "figuring things out"--everything from budgeting to the cheapest place to buy gas--has also managed to cloud my vision. I've been straining ahead, and now I'm looking back. It finally feels like I can see things clearly again, like the lens of self is becoming more and more transparent.

Anticipating that the chaos will continue, I want to learn how to be peaceful, kind, gentle in spite of how stressed I might feel. I want to be one that takes the time to see people for who they are--not just a name on a volunteer calendar or homeowner list. I want to be a participant in rebuilding of much more than homes.

"God had been in the shadows all along. When God puts a broken life back together, He removes the scars because he builds from the inside out. And when God steadies a faltering life, He puts you on His footing."
--Ravi Zacharias, Walking from East to West

Remembering we're all here for a purpose, that this life is not accidental, I'm breathing in the beauty of this day.