Just Living

On Thursday mornings, I join a group of women from the church for a time of fellowship. We meet at a park right next to the gardens and labyrinth that belong to the church. We begin by sharing how our week has been. we hear about travels, weekends at the cabin, visits from friends and family, good days and bad days. It is a time where we can honestly share what is going on in us. These women are a BIG blessing in my life. They listen encourage, share themselves with me and allow me a place where I can be real. One of the women no longer drives and is slowing down quite a bit. Her daughter has brought her several times this summer. They arrive after we have started. (It must take more time to get up and ready. I can appreciate that.) this woman doesn't want to interrupt and waits until we get to the devotional part. Last week we insisted that she "check in". she wasn't sure what we were asking. I asked, "so how was your week? What have you been doing?" Her eyes smiled at me as she answered, "Just living." I looked at the grass, trees and flowers around me and let her words sink in. The conversation continued. I was still wondering about "just living". It is reality - focusing on the now, using energy to just live each day. The temptation for me is to want more - more for her, more for my mom, more for me - more than my daily bread, for life to be more, bigger, somehow different than this quiet, living in the moment, "just living" I am doing with my mom. I am seeking the contentment of "just living".