The Saturday Journal: Alive

tathelmillerwriter
2 days ago
5 min read

I reached for my phone--checking to see if I have any messages from family members--I'm such a sound sleeper. My notification ringer dings about the time my eyes are adjusting to the morning light--an email--an update.

I've been following one of my favorite writers, Sean Dietrich (Sean of the South) and his wife Jamie on their second journey as pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago trail--a journey of walking five hundred miles across the beautiful country of Spain.

My email--it is his last story of their walk--they have reached the end of another Camino, along with many other pilgrims. He writes, "But for some reason, here in Santiago, I felt alive. Maybe more alive than I’ve ever felt. I’ve always been alive, of course. Ever since I was born. But sometimes you don’t FEEL alive. Sometimes you actually forget that you’re alive. Sometimes, you simply go through the motions of life."

I laid there for a few more minutes--the morning sun peaking more brightly thru the closed off windows. And I'm like, I'm alive. I'm alive! And I jump out of bed--well, let's not use such a strong word as jump--but my feet did hit the floor and there was a new spring in my step--I'm alive on this beautiful Wednesday morning. I'm alive!

Thank you, Lord. I'm alive.

Placing my hand--my thumb deep into the Good Book on this same morning--the pages open to the Old Testament--the book of Ezekiel. Many of the words I have highlighted from readings past--written notes in the side margins. And there it is, the story-- "The Valley of the Dry Bones".

God, only You could orchestrate and add to the "alive" story like this. Only You.

God was speaking to His prophet Ezekiel, Think these dry bones can live, Ezekiel? And Ezekiel said, You know Lord. (Ezekiel 37:1-10)

And God, He answered and gave Ezekiel something to do--"Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. (verse 5)

And He goes on to tell Ezekiel more--tell them I'll give them back their muscles, tissues, flesh and their bones--they'll come together--bone to bone--not one out of place or in the wrong socket--a perfect fit.

Ezekiel obeys God and there stands this army of humans--what looked like humans--but they were lacking one thing--their breath. The work was not complete until God breathed into these humans the breath of life--His breath--just like Adam--just like Eve.

I'm directing this to myself--preaching to myself now...even more. The story of the dry bones--my focus seems to have been solely on these "bodies"--desperately trying to visualize all of this in my imagination--like an animated cartoon with bones coming together--and yes, it's one of God's miracle and I see it that way--for sure....but

Here's the thing I have been missing all these years--Ezekiel's part in the story. God could have easily spoken directly to these bones--these dead dusty skeletons--but He didn't. He told Ezekiel to speak to them--speak His words to them. He allowed Ezekiel to be a part of the miracle--a messenger--Listen up you dry bones--God is getting to do a work in you--breath on you--you will be--alive--again.

And could it possibly be God chose Ezekiel because of Ezekiel's condition--his own bones--although covered in tissues--muscles and skin--perhaps Ezekiel's bones--although alive--inside they were as dusty and lifeless as these dead skeletons covering the ground.

How did Ezekiel react after seeing this great army of bones come to life? Did he touch his arm? Wiggle his hands--lift his legs--did he give one thought to, I'm alive! I've been alive--all along!

It was a normal Saturday--I had to be in Winston for a few hours and to be truthful--I was a little weary--tired--a little on the cranky side. Not because I had to be there...

One of my stops included going to the bookstore--I needed to buy a gift. I was standing in the "gift section" and this lady came up from behind me and said, 'You must like turtles' and turning to her, I laughed and replied, 'Oh yes--I guess I have enough on today'. I have turned into one of those "older" ladies I used to see as a child--sometimes wearing "too much" of their favorite things...on the back of my shirt were sea turtles--my pocketbook--sea turtles, and I'm not sure the lady saw my bracelet--yes, you guessed it--a sea turtle. And I thought to myself--maybe I did overdo it today with the turtles--I hadn't really thought about it before the lady's conversation.

She smiled and said, 'My sister has seen baby turtles hatching! She loves baby turtles too. Me, I love cardinals. I see them all the time in my yard. I just love watching them.'

Her husband was standing close by--listening to our conversation. His wife then shared, 'The other day the ugliest birds were on the roof of our house--I yelled for my husband to come outside.' He then spoke to me, 'they were vultures.' And his wife continuing her story looking at me, 'They weren't afraid of either of us. We yelled and clapped our hands. Nothing--does that mean something when they are on the roof of your house?'

"No, I don't think so", I answered. "But they are ugly birds. I can tell you what my Grandpa would have done. He would have gotten his shotgun out and killed a few."

Her husband, smiling a big smile--he said, 'I thought about that--but then I would have had to pay for a new roof.'

And we all laughed together and parted ways.

I think back to Ezekiel--wonder how he was feeling before the kindness of God showed up--when God spoke the words, go and speak to the valley of dry bones--was Ezekiel tired--weary--even a little cranky--kind of going thru the motions of a mundane day--needing something more?

Like on an ordinary--weary day when a person needs the smiles of strangers--the warmth and laughter of a conversation about sea turtles, cardinals, shotguns, and ugly birds.

Thank you, Father God.

May I never take this blessing for granted.

I'm alive.

I am grateful for each of you--more than you will ever know.

And I pray, the stories shared in this space will encourage you--

bring a smile or remembrance, and bless you in some small way.

If you would like to have The Saturday Journal,

occasional newsletters and stories come straight to your email box,

please subscribe at

http://www.tathelmiller.com

All stories copyright and owned by the author, Tathel Miller,

photographs copyright and owned by Tathel Miller,