The word for today is...

Striking. The literal definition reads "attracting attention or notice through unusual or conspicuous qualities."

I've spent a lot of time in the last few months learning the value of solitude and alone time. This is a discipline that is decidedly foreign to my busy, passionate life. But, as I've quieted my mind I've created a heart and mind that are willing to be struck. In quietness, I've filled my journal and some of the most beautiful realizations have poured out. Revelations like the sky opening, sometimes slow and soft, sometimes like a lightning bolt tearing through heaven, knocking me to the ground.

I had one of those striking thunderstorm moments today.

To appreciate the revelation, you've got to understand the underpinnings. Last night, I had one of my all-time, top 10 favorite dinners ever with Sarah, Julius and Elizabeth. Not only was I treated like royalty at a Kenyan feast, but my soul was fed too. After I left, I slept more soundly than I have in a long, long time...wrapped in a blanket of complete connectedness I knew existed, but am now living in.

Before I left dinner, E gave me two books about Mother Teresa to revel in. Over lunch today, I withdrew into an hour of blessedly deliberate alone time. Over the best shrimp sushi, miso soup and honey ginger tea I slowly peered into Living in Love. Page by page, Mother Teresa's own words struck me unusually and conspicuously over and over and over again.

Truths like this: "If He wants something to be done, He will give us the means."
Wisdom here: "Prayer begets faith, faith begets love, and love begets service."
On the value of alone time: "In the silence of the heart, God speaks and you have to listen. Then in the fullness of your heart, because it is full of love, full of compassion, full of faith, your mouth will speak."

Wow. Lighting in my hearts inner-most chambers.

Before Christmas I sang a beautiful song at Jacobs Well. The chorus stung me: "You have names for all your stars. You heal my wounds and kiss my stars. You sing a million songs over me."

Lighting from a chorus in front of and around me.

I am struck by little lightning moments like these all the time. When I'm diligent enough to grab a pen and take a few minutes, I capture them in my fabulous orange journal. As I rifle back through its pages, I see the threads that this online journal is committed to recognizing. What I'm struck by today is the complexity of their weavings. My life has prepared me for this moment. This very one as I sit here typing right now. Every moment has been deliberate on God's part and I'm struck by that too.