Nancy Judd's Thoughts

Gift of a Day

What a gift!  A new day has come and the dawn is here.  But, first, time to walk and talk with God.  Time taken to be still.  Time taken to think.  Time taken just to BE.  If this time is taken, everything else will fall into place.

When we enter our daily life of work and activity, we will take with us calmness, a peace that will sustain us throughout the day.  When we end our day, we need to realign ourselves to God, with thanksgiving in our hearts for Her wonderful gift of 24 hours.

Proof that God exists and that the Universe is a loving force is found in the gift of a new day.  No matter how much or how often we have erred during today, tomorrow is God’s gift to us so that we can try again to walk more closely with Her.

Nancy Judd, IL

Death Dreams

Dreams of death steal into my sleeping state and play out like a movie.  These are not frightening or depressing images, but rather a message direct from the Godhead to forewarn me of someone dear who will be leaving my life.  I have had these visions for decades and they arise spontaneously, without warning.  When I awake, I know he or she will be going HOME.

I feel sad but also thankful.  Knowing the unknowable, there is time for amends, time to for forgiveness and time to express appreciation and love.  Each dream comes with its own script and plays itself out across the screen of my inner vision.  The timing of the message varies but from the date of the dream I know I have been put on notice.

The Universe is a loving and giving Universe.  It wants nothing but our joy and fulfillment and then it readies us for our return journey.  Death comes to most as a shock, a surprise, unexpected.  To me, it will come as the doorway to my greatest adventure.  To me, death, when it is my time, will come as a friend.

Who will dream of me?

 Nancy Judd, IL

Communication

Few can share unspoken communication.

Usually words and verbalization are needed between two.

Unless, of course, the two are in such perfect harmony that words are unnecessary.

Merely a look from you said volumes.

A glance from me was sufficient.

Heart to heart communication is a gift from God.

Tasting the salt of the other’s tears is a communion of spirits.

Even unspoken communication can be shattered by silence.

Nancy Judd, IL

Choices

Life sometimes is not kind. 

We face decisions and challenges all around us.

Pain and suffering rear their ugly heads.

Some choose to risk.

Some choose to stay safe in a golden prison.

Life has no guarantees.  It only offers opportunities.

Some chose life with all its potential pitfalls.

Some chose to merely exist, a living death.

Nancy Judd, IL

Lost and Found

It was only a small piece of cloth that I spied on the ground during my morning amble.  Covered with mud, 2 x 3 maybe, but I spied a recognizable combination of colors.  I bent down for a closer view and tenderly lifted up the little piece of cloth and brought it home.

At home, I rinsed the mud off and delighted in seeing that it was what I had thought it to be. ---- a flag.  Yea, a little one, but still the proud symbol of our beloved land, discarded or accidentally lost by some small child, no doubt.

Such a small flag to represent such a big country but no matter what its size, it is precious, especially now that our brave young men and women are dying in a foreign land to preserve our freedoms.  After it dries, I trim the loose threads and pick a spot for it to rest, in honor and respect for what it stands for and as a reminder of the cost we are paying – day by day.

 Nancy Judd, IL

Hero

You come to me with all your honesty, your deepest secrets revealed and offer me the gift of your trust.  Over time, you share each memory that is seared into your soul; every agony, the pain and suffering you have been through in this lifetime.  I long to be the balm that takes the hurt away, knowing within my heart that only God’s grace flowing through me is the source of your healing.

I gaze at you in wonder as I marvel at how whole you are, how strong you have been and I see your innocence still intact.  Life, with all its ironies, has not robbed you of your pure essence.  You stand tall in your integrity.  Life’s challenges lie spread before you and you eagerly embrace them.  Following your path, wherever it may lead you, you seek to fulfill God’s plan for you. 

Your noble spirit leads you onward and upward until you crest the mountaintop and see that you have overcome the world.  More importantly, you have vanquished your inner demons.  The world is not fair in many cases; but God’s ultimate justice reigns supreme and you, my love, will revel in Her bountiful blessings that you have so painfully earned.  You are my hero!

Nancy Judd, IL

Dark Morning  

It is a different walk that I took this morning.  The path was the same but the time was earlier.  It was pre-dawn and darkish, with only the faint light of the dawn starting in the east.  It is a different world then.  Quiet, except for the roar of nearby expressway traffic.  Lights on porches and by garages are still on, having kept watch through the night.  No one is out and about, but me.

Suddenly a disembodied white cotton ball crosses my path and startles me.  As it pauses and sits up, I see it is a bunny.  Ah, I am not alone after all.  The cardinal starts the morning bird chorus with his insistent herald to the dawn and another cardinal in a distant tree trumpets back a response.  Soon, the traffic noise is dimmed as it is overshadowed by the growing harmony of bird voices giving praise to their Creator.

More bunnies cross my path, six in all.  Big score for my morning walk today.  As I approach two more, they sit up and look at me and don’t bother to scamper.  They have seen me pass on so many mornings they know I am no danger to them.  We pass like old friends just out for a stroll.

Turning toward home, the sky has become brighter.  Morning is here.  It is time to sit and meditate, my own thanksgiving to my Creator.

Nancy Judd, IL

 

Rainy Morn

Gray skies dimmed the morn today.  My walk was interrupted by a summer shower.  At first, the wet sidewalks seemed to be the remnant of an earlier rain.  I watched for puddles and muddy spots, which can be slick as ice.  Picking my way, the first few drops were not noticeable.  They mingled with my tears.  My own gray feelings blended with the leaden clouds.  Nature and I were in the same mood.

There was no flash of lightening or crash of thunder to display a fury.  There was only the steady downpour of Heaven’s tears.  Trees along the way gave respite and seemed to whisper, “stay here, stay dry”, but I’ve never played it safe before.  I know the sun is shining somewhere just as I know that joy resides within.  I guess that is where faith turns into knowing. 

Nancy Judd, IL