Let’s Talk with Karla Brandenburg
Moments of Grace
By Karla Brandenburg
Have you ever found yourself in a situation that completely captivated you? Where you and whatever you were looking at seemed to come to a silent understanding of peace with the universe? It’s a very humbling moment.
I’m currently on deadline at the day job and under extreme stress. These are the times I look for those moments to let go of some of the anxiety that comes with producing a huge quantity of work in a very compressed timeframe. Generally speaking, I find these “perfect moments” in nature, so I get myself out and go for a walk (another form of stress relief). I’ve only read one book that described the feeling—it was one of the Outlander books (but don’t ask me which one).
One of my favorite moments of grace? I was driving to work one morning several years ago, about this time of year. It was cold, there was a light covering of snow on the ground. As I passed a wooded area, a buck stepped out of the woods and stood tall, the steam coming from his muzzle. He looked so majestic! For that brief moment in time, the world stopped and the only thing that existed was me and that buck. I so desperately wanted to translate that experience into a story, and although it took a while, MIST ON THE MEADOW, was born.
Recently, I took a walk through the neighborhood with my husband. The sun was setting and the clouds were refracting the light into brilliant shades of pink and red and orange. I stopped along the way to capture a picture, but once we cleared the houses, the view was stunning. The colors were more subdued by the time we had an unobstructed view, but the still waters in a pond reflected the trees on an island, along with the still-beautiful skyscape. The silhouette of a goose made the picture perfect. Everything came together in one beautiful moment.
Have you experienced a moment of grace? One where the world reminds us how truly amazing it can be?
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Posted in Let's Talk, with Karla Brandenburg, zed: Former Authors • Tags: BLB Discussion, giveaway, Karla Brandenburg, Let's Talk, Mist on the Meadow, Moments of Grace | 16 Comments
How lovely, Karla. I too am often transfixed by moments of grace in nature. They remind me that I am part of something much bigger than my every day universe. – Maggie
Absolutely, Maggie. We are a small microcosm of all that surrounds us. Those moments are an excellent reminder!
Living up in the mountains, we get frequent glorious sunrises and sunsets which do require stopping to admire them. We have deer wandering through the yard as well. Often, they stop and stare and I wonder if they’re admiring us humans. (Nope – just being wary.)
My favorite thing in the mountains was the frequent double rainbows. I had a beautiful sunrise this morning but wasn’t quick enough to catch it – red sky at morning, sailor take warning? But it was breathtaking.
Moment of grace? Yes. Making the bed, I waved a quilt over the finished product, but one corner caught underneath. I tossed it up again. Another corner flapped in. I laughed and told the Holy Spirit He was not doing His share. I flipped the quilt one more time and it fell perfectly over the whole. I thanked Him, giggling. Doubt if you dare. For me it was a moment of grace, just the Lord and me knocking out an ordinary household task together.
I don’t doubt it for a minute! I love when He makes his presence known! All you have to do is ask.
Yes! My favorite ode to the moment of grace is Sylvia Plath’s “Black Rook in Rainy Weather”: Miracles occur/ If you care to call those spasmodic/Tricks of radiance miracles.” And I do care to do so. Lovely!
Miracles. Yes, I’m sure they’re out there.
Just took a walk in Morikami Museum and Gardens in Boca Raton. It’s a lovely park with a serene lake, stands of bamboo, Koi fish ponds, and raked stone tranquility gardens. Here it’s easy to forget one’s cares and relax for a change of pace.
Sounds very peaceful, Nancy!
I live in Michigan and one fall we went on a color tour of the Upper Peninsula. I’ve never seen such gorgeous tress and leaves all in one never-ending stretch. The long, winding roads, beautiful landscapes, and changing of seasons makes MI a breathtaking place to be. 🙂
That’s something I’ve always wanted to do! That and the UP waterfall tour.
I love to walk along the beach at sunrise where I can be alone with my thoughts and think! Very peaceful for me!
My astrological sign us a water sign. I find water very peaceful.
I used to sail the North Sea, England with my husband and one moment of grace, I would say, was when we were caught out in an electrical storm several miles offshore! Lightning was striking all around us but completely missing the yacht masts! That was most humbling… but very exciting!
Nature’s light show. Not sure I’d find that peaceful, but definitely awe inspiring!