Hey, ladies. I think we're finally figuring out this Cafe Nudge thing, don't you? The conversation is beginning to flow, the honesty is there, and the thoughts are deep. Any suggestions you have for making this even more beneficial for you, I'm always open to those. We are nothing if not organic.

I also appreciate your positive responses to the idea of a coffee chat at some point. I'm thinking November -- between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Sound good?

Your water metaphors were fabulous. We had everything from floating in a lake to standing in the face of a typhoon. I didn't get the sense that anyone was currently drowning, although I'm sure we've all had that experience -- sometimes on a daily basis for long periods of time! Then of course, there are the droughts. Nothing's working and you find yourself kind of wishing for a tornado just so you could make sure you can still feel.No one mentioned that, but, then, when you're in a drought it's hard to even get to the computer.

MELODY brought up an important point about all that. She said she's in a peaceful river kind of place right now, but with a new semester approaching (Junior year, Melody? Yikes! Already?) she wonders if she can keep swimming there, or if thunderstorms are on the horizon. And on the other hand, what if there ARE no storms? As she put it :  Can I trust God and be as aware of God when there's not a lot of conflict in my life?

In my experience it's absolutely true that God feels so much closer and I'm so much more intentional about reaching out to God when I have a friend dying, and another friend DOES die, and a family member gets a devastating diagnosis and my career takes a nauseating shift -- all in the same year. When life is calm and the proverbial dust has settled, it's easier to whip through quiet time and get on with the day that I have planned.  Not only that, but I wonder, if I don't have that pain in my chest today, will I remember to pray?

The question is NOT whether God brings calamity, tragedy, drama or just plain stress into our lives so we'll realize how much we need him. I don't buy that at all. The point is: do WE need storms to keep us aware that we can't make it without our Lord -- or can we maintain our end of the connection when life is going along, well, swimmingly? CAN we fall into a daily rhythm the way SARAH ELIZABETH has when we don't feel like we HAVE to in order to get through the day? 

I think what we're talking about here is a delicate balance and an important one. Let's hear your thoughts first. If you don't cover it all, I'll chime in. Maybe Sister Frankie will too, as well as a guest poster.

Have a blessed, balanced week, my friends.

Nancy Rue