Sunday, May 17, 2009

A Moveable Feast



If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young (wo)man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, For Paris is a moveable feast." Ernest Hemingway

I've been working on relationships lately, namely: the one with myself. I planned this little summer getaway to Paris at a time when I really needed something to look forward to and plan about, and now the reality of it is almost upon me. I've got my house rented, I've got my summer dresses and my sandals bought, I'm finishing up the last weeks of the school year and I am so entirely happy. I can't wait to see what and who Paris will bring into my life. Each day is a powerful gift. Each moment, each thing I bring into my life is entirely of my (and your) own choosing. There is something so entirely free and delightsome in that fact.

So many people on so many paths to life. Last Sunday I went to the United Church of Christ with Alisa. It was a church with an awesome band (singing songs about the Long haired socialist Jew), a woman pastor, and a message that finally resonated with me. It's been a long time since I've attended a church where I didn't disagree with anything that was being said. The Pastor got up and gave us a message. Most Christians idealize the idea of being a sheep. Jesus is the shepherd. In the book of Matthew it talks about how Jesus needs to separate the sheep from the goats. The pastor got up and admitted that she herself is a goat. She was always going on unknown paths, not conforming to the crowd, not doing the things that maybe she was supposed to. The goats always seemed to have more spunk and spirit. They'd climb to the high cliffs and they'd forge their own paths. She also reminded all Christians that there truth isn't the only truth and that all of us on earth have different paths, but we're just trying to reach the same ends. One big beautiful tapestry of interwoven faith and beliefs.


I think my whole life I've been trying to be a sheep and I've been trying to let Jesus be my Shepherd.

The reality is, I'm a goat. Plain and simple.

17 comments:

Kristan said...

Wooooo Paris!

Kristan said...

And goats!

Michelle said...

That's a beautiful picture of you! I like goats just as much as I like sheep.

Boquinha said...

Hey, we read that book for book club! Beautiful picture. I'm so happy for you. When will you be there, because I'd love to see you before you go if it works out.

Rowena said...

It all sounds wonderful. Enjoy the summer making your own paths all around Paris. I will live vicariously through you.

arbee said...

Oooooooooooh Paris! I can't belive that your trip is approaching so quickly...will wait on pins and needles to hear of your many adventures. :)

p.s. Love what the pastor taught about the sheep and goats. Sometimes wish I were more like a goat, but probably am more of a sheep than I am willing to admit. Although, at church I am probably looked down upon as a "goat". ;)

Unknown said...

Thanks ladies! I am getting very excited. Yesterday I even did a trial run on packing (it's gonna have to be tight!) What pretty clothes to take and what to leave. Ah, Paris and fashion, how well they go together.

Boquinha, would you recommend the book? I haven't read it yet, but I kind of want to!

I like sheep and goats. I think each of us has some of both within.

Fletch said...

Huh. Maybe that is why I am so hungry all the time. I have never been to Paris.

Lucky for me I get to live in the "Athens of the Midwest", so I guess I don't need to travel afterall.

(A local paper here called Iowa City the "Athens of the Midwest". Not sure what their criterion was for making such a claim, but we had a good laugh over it anyway.)

I'll tell you this much, D'Arce. I don't know much about goats and sheep, but I do know how to leave a mindblowingly random comment, you gotta hand it to me.

:) Have fun in Paris! You'll have to feast for both of us! I guess I'll go eat some more Rice Chex now. Mmmm...crunchy.

EmilyCC said...

What fun! (The trip to Paris and the UCC experience)

Boquinha said...

Yes, it is a really good book. I like it. Mark likes it. Most everyone in our book club enjoyed it. Take it to Paris!

Jessica Steed said...

I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris.
Please post your art regularly. I love to see it.

Sugar Jones said...

Goat... hee hee... you just crack me up, girl.

And Paris... I wish I was going with you! Can't wait to hear all of your fabulous stories.

Olivia said...

:) Nice! I'm planning on a long walk with Langston on Sunday, maybe we can chat? Are you busy that day?

Ruahines said...

Kia ora D'Arcy,
That Goat part would hold you in fine stead in the Ruahines! Rave on!
Aroha,
Robb

Marta said...

A goat in Paris! That will be a great story.

Melissa said...

There is something about paris... I love the Hemmingway quote--thanks for sharing :o)

HWHL said...

Darling, that picture of you is da BOMB. You really are a strikingly beautiful woman (outside and inside!) I am proud to call you my friend.

Sounds like Alisa's church has similarities to mine. In fact, my church was handing out t-shirts that had a picture of Jesus on the front (looking more like Che Guevarra than the "traditional" Jesus we've all seen) with the words REVOLUTIONARY written above it. Because that's who Christ was (is!!) - a REVOLUTIONARY!

And that's what church should be about.... getting people to think about the box of traditional religion.

I won't go on further, as you and I have discussed this before, but I'm HAPPY you found a place that resonated with you. There are more and more churches like this.... which I think is great. As one of my pastor friends says on his blog: "Love God? Love people? PROVE IT!"

Anyway, 'nuff about that.

You and your beautiful bad-ass self are going to have a FAB time in Paris! Can't wait to live vicariously!!

Love,
T.