Burdens Light

BRIAN'S LEGACY OF LOVE By Janise Eckman Wooten I am sitting in my tree house, basking in the sunshine, hearing the sound of my husband Randy, running the lawn mower. It is a kind of music to my soul, as I feel the breeze on my arms and face; knowing my mom, who lives with us, is being safely cared for, in our home, by her caregiver Rebecca. Yes, I'm just sitting in the tree house relaxing, taking a break, but from what?!! Relaxing and grieving, mourning the loss of our son, Brian. I am hidden away, but not really, just grieving, yet rejoicing at the same time that I feel his nearness; but how could I feel his FARNESS too--so keenly--at the same time, a profound paradox?! He seems so very far away, his physicality completely unreachable--in a box, far away, deep in the earth, having been covered up lovingly with kindness, so much sadness and a giant pile of dirt! I love that boy, that 39 year old man child of mine!  I miss so many things, little things and big things abo...

EXPERIENCES OF NOT FEELING LIKE I  QUITE FIT IN BY Janise Eckman Wooten I have always looked up to people who have been able to easily keep  their home clean. And yet, having grown up in a very chaotic messy, yet--for the most part--a fairly happy home; I found that when I would visit people of whom I considered had fairly organized homes with somewhat lavish decor, I would feel utterly overwhelmed and even discouraged! This caused deep inner division within me because, on one level, while I could appreciate--somewhat and in some level of my being--the finer tastes and abilities to be so organized and so well put together, and have it chime so effortless to them! This was something I could only dream about; as I looked at all their ducks in a row (sometimes almost literally) complete with photos of their Eagle scout sons in full scout uniform and their daughters, arrayed in flawless bridal splendor--all the same size pictures with matching frames and lined up like trophies...

BE THE LOVE AND CHANGE THE WORLD--The Time is Now!    By Janise Eckman Wooten We all share our inner treasures and resources with others through our strengths, and even sometimes through our weaknesses. Have you ever felt so weak and alone in your sharing and wondered if what you have planted and cultivated in life will grow fruit? Can people make a difference anymore or are we all helpless, driven about, purposeless, wandering in strange paths and controlled by circumstance? I know you are on this earth right now for reasons that are important and that you are making and will make a difference! We will make a difference as this millennium continues to unfold in its glory and beauty upon this earth! One seed at a time grows together with other seeds, searching together for the light. They all grow together into fruit that is beyond the imagination in the joy it brings!  It all begins with a little quite ordinary seed and grows eventually into a garden of Eden like...

WHAT IF? I am thinking of the story of Mary and Martha found in the Bible in Luke 10. (Whether or not you consider yourself Christian or particularly religious, the teachings of Jesus, as with any great teacher, can be applicable to anybody who sees things in a spiritual or higher way). Luke 10:38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. It's interesting wording that Jesus used. What was the on...