alive again

This is a picture of my best day in Japan thus far. I spent the afternoon with my student and new friend, Kumiko. We toured local gardens that were open to the public.

Of course it was all breathtaking.

There is something to be said about beauty. Beauty invites and comforts. It touches our very soul and soothes away our troubles.

When I attend the Japanese church, I always sit next to the same elderly lady. She's very energetic and absolutely lovely. She used to be an English teacher, so it's nice to sit next to someone who can help explain things. She has a big pain in her hip and sitting in the pews only agitates it. She told me I looked beautiful, and I dismissed her comment, but she insisted, and confided, "When I see something beautiful, I forget about my pain."

So true, right?

Touring the gardens with Kumiko was just what I needed. It's been a bit of a rough start in adjusting to my new life, but this was the very first day where I was finally really excited about Japan, and the possibilities of what could be.

This is how it felt:

And I've been feeling that way ever since. Do yourself a favor and walk through a garden or two. They really mean it when they say that we should take time to stop and smell the roses.

Let this be our prayer over Japan. Pray for His light to shine and awaken the nation to His love.

world upside down

I stared at him under the bright light, in hot pursuit of the task at hand. He was really big - I don't know if I'd seen a spider of such magnitude before. Strategically placed, he methodically made himself a master web, in preparation for the evening meal. Impressed and mesmerized in the silence of the night, I could only watch as the intricacy of the trap was laid before me. It occurred to me at that moment that he knew a lot of life's secrets. He was wiser than many a passerby, myself included. It wasn't just his artistry that hit me. He was actively pursuing his desires with the resources he had available to him.

Now, this spider was sitting in the most fly infested area, smack dab under a big light. This was the place to get a good dinner. Yet, how many people stop right there and take it easy? How often have we positioned ourselves in just the right spot, but move no further? After all, we've made it this far. Success should automatically fall into our laps, straight from Heaven.

Our friend the spider did not, however, wait and hope that a fly would selflessly sacrifice himself for dinner. He wasted no time in creating a way for his dreams to become reality. He didn't need anything special, just what his Daddy God had already given him.

Now I know at times, we really do have to just wait on God when there is no silk to be found. But more often than not, I find myself paralyzed in fear, unable to go any further and make myself the web I need.

As I drew near to the creature most shirk away from, I learned a most profound lesson. We are created to be the ones building webs, not the ones caught in them.

fresh perspective

Downpour. Lots and lots of rain.

I was about to venture home in said downpour.

It presented itself as a mission impossible, or at least the last thing I wanted to do. Nevertheless, the show must go on, I told myself, or…… I would be spending the night at work. Lame.

I put my earbuds in and chose an exciting playlist for the journey home.

I made a pathetic start and almost crashed my bike. The catch was that I was riding through newly formed rivers. My left hand clutched my umbrella, while my right was in charge of steering. Balance wasn’t anything I was naturally blessed with, so the slippery tires, heavy winds, and dark back streets I had to drive along only added to the challenge.

Within seconds I was completely drenched. I pulled the umbrella away, curious if it was actually helping at all. Yep. Couldn’t see a thing.

After making it ten feet, I had to wait at a red light. No joke - two large semi trucks passed by and splashed me, making sure I didn’t have any dry spots left. I half laughed, half yelled while careening across the intersection, almost running into the incoming traffic.

The majority of the city stayed in for the night, a smart move on their part. It was helpful in avoiding a probable accident, since I was sure to hit any car who intended on driving down any of the skinny side streets coming my way. Thankfully, I drove past unharmed, giggling all the way. I was shocked I hadn’t fallen yet.

I remembered how Aya, the school secretary, had warned that the rainy season was beginning. At the time I had deemed her passing comment as inconsequential. I now knew better. Rainy season meant more than a few measly drops here and there. It was a monsoon.

My umbrella got harder and harder to hold on to. My hand grasped the slippery handle for dear life as the wind picked up speed, intending to pick me up in the air like some kind of Mary Poppins. I stopped abruptly at one point and stared – did I just see a fellow foreigner? An allusive gaijin, stuck in the rain not unlike myself? Frankly, the darkness and torrential rain did a good job of masking her identity. I pedaled along, disappointed that I had been evaded again. Apparently, there were six other foreigners in my small Japanese city. I had not yet met any of those sly folks.

The city lights vying for attention found their reflections in standing water. I splashed through, riding in pure adventure and the freedom of the night.

fisherman's plight

Raindrops gather together in puddles, while streetlights illuminate their creation. Not wanting to feel left out, the breeze blows gently under the smiling moon.

Tonight, I empathize with the plight of the fisherman. As my neighborhood sleeps soundly through persistent rainfall, men of all ages sit adrift at sea. Cold and wet, they cast nets out for strangers’ appetites. These men will not get a wink of the sleep they crave, but Yamamoto-san will have fish prepared for dinner by the time her husband arrives home from work. A sacrifice for the good of all.

I have not yet participated in the morning frenzy of buying this precious fish. Prices are fierce, for good reason, and frankly, I don’t have a clue as to how to prepare it. Still, faceless men of my community continue to catch these for our delight.

I roll over in bed, dreaming of the mysteries of the sea.

time stands still

The sand sinks in with each step I take towards the seashore, leaving divots, evidence of my journey. One by one, I add to the hundreds of other footprints of joy speckled along the beach. As I meander towards the water's edge, I stand upon the firm flat surface of sand - artistry of the mighty waves - a job never ceasing. Having come hundreds of miles just to touch the shore, the waves are proud of their hard work. With the vastness of the sea before me, I am reminded how many waters cannot quench His love. The waves laugh as they surround my toes, feet, and ankles in their dance of ages long past. I rejoice along with the sea as I am being made clean. I am washed anew and free before my King in all His beauty.

mountain mist

Beautiful seems lacking, a tinge pathetic. Breathtaking comes a wee bit closer, yet still falls short. Admittedly, my vocabulary cannot do justice in describing the landscape that flew past my window. While driving through mountainous Japanese countryside, we encountered the glory of God unveiling itself through nature. Lush greenery, flooded rice paddies, and bear hidden from view bowed in respect as our car curved along the road we shared. The mist whispered as it climbed the humble giants which dwarfed houses nestled in valleys.

I felt as if I were being trusted with a secret. I was fully aware that only a small percentage of people would ever share this view with me. Completely honored to see this world before me, this new home of mine, I prayed for His presence to be made known. Such beautiful people living in such a beautiful land did not know the Beautiful One.