Face Up in the Rain

I slept for ten blissful, uninterrupted hours! It felt great to wake up at 9:30 to bird songs outside my half-opened window and the pitter-pat of soft rain gently falling on the new shoots of lime green grass below. Figgy cuddled in between my feet and nibbled at my nose when he decided it was time to be fed. Zeus quickly followed suit, and soon we three were up and ready for the day, well nourished and rarin' to go. I do, however, have a wickedly sore throat making my voice sound more like Kathleen Turner's than my own.

I am staying inside today, though I did venture out in the morning rain in my bare feet to toss the garbage out and take a moment to stand face-up in the rain. The mom's out there may be gasping with a chorus "This is why you're sick!," but it felt good--bare feet on wet pavement, momentary steps on the puddles and green grass and back inside my cozy apartment.

I love weekends. My intent for today especially is to happily and consciously receive the gift of God's grace. Like a string of pearls laced together along the silky fabric of midnight sky, the stars and planets shine for me, for each of us. Nothing I do or have done, or do not do or have not done, can steal away such moments of grace from my life. Even when others bawk at my next move or reject me in small or not so small ways, I have learned that the universe, the spirit with my heart that some call God loves me unconditionally, and grace is His gift to me. Gently releasing my thoughts of last night's magical sky, I return to my day. Grace is present -- here, now, and always.