kingdom playgrounds: Unexpected Gifts

It's been three weeks since the new Executive Director started at The GreenHouse. We've been working very hard trying to transfer volumes of information from my brain to his. It's a lot of ground to cover. Add to that all of the emotions that go along with leaving, loooong days of commuting up to Sacramento, and trying to work through issues of pride, identity, reputation, control, and jealousy (doesn't that sound fun?!) and you'll understand why I've been a wee bit tired lately.

Overall though, the transition has gone really smoothly so far. Most days have been a-ok, but there have been a few that have been harder for me (emotionally) than others. Today was one of the harder days. The board and staff of The GreenHouse left today for their retreat up in Lake Tahoe. It's really, really weird for me to not be going with them.

I have full confidence in our team and their ability to connect, learn, and plan really well this weekend. Still, it's hard to not be there with them.

In an effort to keep myself from working on GreenHouse stuff for too long today (I'm supposed to be tapering off, but I really don't know how to stop working!) and to try to get my mind off the retreat, I forced myself into my car this afternoon at around 2:00, one hour before I needed to pick the boys up from school. I had no idea where I was going. I just knew that I needed to get out and do some form of self-care (ie: not cleaning my house or sitting at a computer). I started to drive one way and then the next and eventually ended up at Mills College, a beautiful oasis not far from my house. I figured I'd take a quick walk around the campus and try to clear my head.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw a sign that read, "Come walk our Labyrinth," with an arrow pointing where to go.

Okay! (Um, God, is that you? Thanks for being so clear with the sign and the arrow!)

I walked up a short path and found a lovely chapel with a beautiful little labyrinth just outside. What a treasure to find!

While I walked toward the center of the labyrinth I tried to let go of some of the icky feelings I'd been having today. When I reached the center of the labyrinth, I paused there for a moment and felt the very gentle breeze that was blowing. It felt like God was wrapping me up in his arms and giving me a hug, letting me know that I wasn't alone and that everything was going to be alright.

While walking out of the labyrinth, I focused on being open to the new opportunities that God has waiting for me in my new community.

I have a feeling I'm going to spent a lot of time in this special spot next month. (I'm naming May my "Healing Month.")

Later tonight, we had another wonderful and unexpected gift. The weather was just perfect today in Oakland and I was itching to be outside so we picked up some burritos from our local taqueria and headed-up to the Oakland Hills for a picnic dinner. The park we planned to go to was closed, so off we went on an adventure to find a new place where we could eat and play. We found a truly gorgeous spot with a perfect hiking trail. It was just the fun and adventure I needed tonight with my family.