mystery on the mountain
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 8:47 AM 
Where to begin? I feel like I am a player in a 21st century God-directed version of The Birds. It’s not nearly as scary, however, but it feels like if I don’t listen carefully, I may be covered in blue jays cackling and laughing at me for not paying attention.
Perhaps I should back up just a bit. A post for me these days would not be complete without the mention of dreams. Let me add to that the topic of waiting. Or maybe it is more like Pamela spoke of in her comment on beginnings and endings, it is more aptly a time of transition. Yes, I think that’s where I am. A time of transition. In between dreams. Waiting to see what manifests while trying to be present to the world around me.
So, where do the birds come in? Well, last week I was driving along the rode and I looked to the side and saw one distinct blue jay. Beautiful. He seemed a bit out of place, because I don’t recall seeing many (any?) blue jays around here. A day or two later…same thing. Different road, same thing: A single blue jay placed herself distinctly next to my stopped car. Coincidence? Perhaps. But, here is where the Alfred Hitchcock thing really starts to happen…Yesterday, I was at Mount Rainier with friends. As we were going to our car after lunch, there was another amazing blue jay. And then another and another and another until they nearly surrounded us. It was incredible!!
Third time's the charm, right? I finally began to wonder, “What’s the deal with blue jays?” One of my friends said that they represent either dabblers or masters. Hmmmm. So, this morning I popped open Animal Speak and looked them up. Here is what it said, “Those with a jay as a totem usually have a tremendous amount of ability, but it can be scattered or it is often not developed any more than is necessary to get by...The blue jay reflects that a time of greater resourcefulness and adaptability is about to unfold. If the jay has flown into your life, it indicates that you are moving into a time where you can begin to develop the innate royalty that is within you, or simply be a pretender to the throne.”
What did I hear? It’s time to focus. Listen. Wait. Be still and know that I am God. Be direct in what you choose to do and stop being scattered. Listen. Wait. Focus. Whew! I think I’ll stop for now and let that soak in!
So, if I didn’t lose you in all that talk of Alfred Hitchcock and congregating birds, I would love to know what’s stirring in you. Do you feel scattered or focused? What does it mean to wait? To listen? To be still in God's presence? To follow your dreams?
(I have a few more thoughts about where this message is leading me particularly in relation to my dreams, but I think I’ll wait and listen for now.) Stay tuned…☺
lucy's photos from mount rainier 5.01.08
Reader Comments (8)
Isn't it wonderful how the universe nudges us, points us in the right direction just when we need it?
What's stirring in me? The knowledge that it's time to LIVE my dreams. It's time to do the writing, finish it, and then start sending it out. I've been living in a fantasy world for too long--imagining what my life would be like when I started living my dreams. Only, I was still dreaming. It's time to do.
Oh my goodness lucy, I haven't been seeing Jays, but when I read the description my jaw dropped as it spoke to me really clearly. Named what I have been going through these last few weeks as I continue to wrestle with where to focus all of my energy and giftedness. My fatigue these days speaks to me of the need to continue to refine and hone. I keep asking myself, what is the one thing I am called to do? Glad to share this discernment with you.
karen--i anxiously await hearing/seeing what you decide to "do." how about if we encourage one another as i, too, am having a tug in the writing direction?
christine--i am not surprised that the description resonated with you. i only shared a part of the "wisdom" and the rest was equally provocative.
sounds like we are asking ourselves the same questions. so glad to be sharing it with you!
I am feeling the need to hone, also, to know what it is I'm called to do. I know writing is one of those things. I also wonder if there is another side of the coin, as well. The waiting is the hardest part, ain't it? So much legitimate need out there - waiting feels almost sacreligious sometimes. But I daren't go where he hasn't directed me to go. What would be the point?
I feel scattered and focussed depending on what second of the day it is. This week, rather scattered a great deal of the time. And yet sometimes, the times I feel most scattered, I look back and realise that something good was birthed right out of the middle of it and I couldn't even see it. Breeds humility, that sorta thing :)
Holy Cow (or jay)! What an amazing three encounters you've had. I know that God keeps your internal eyes opened for such things that many would let pass.
I see dabbler or master as a lifelong struggle in myself. I notice that i go into dabbling mode as a retreat or rest before the impending chaos that comes before the next step closer to master. Master of what? I dunno...ultimately it's my identity as woman/warrior/daughter. It's about all i can handle.
hummingbirds did it for me.
Hi Lucy,
well, as per the post at my blog, I would say scattered and trying to bring things into a calm, peaceful focus. This has been a long journey for me (because, well, I'm stubborn)...but I think if I just relax, and let God...things will be put into place easier, growth, maturity, etc.
There were two poignant times in the beginning of my journey 'of change/growth' when a hawk flew with my car, noticeably, about 20ft above for what seemed an eighth of a mile, and another time, a hawk flew down at eye level across my path while driving.
Since then, whenever I see a hawk, it's a reminder to me to ask where am I on my journey, am I being accountable to my feelings/thoughts (so to speak)...or it's just a warm reminder that God is faithful. :)
I find myself at a major transition point. One of the hardest things to do is PAY ATTENTION - and you are doing that so well, both in your dreams and in the world around you.
Transitions are not easy, not simple and just a bit scary. My life is going to be sooo different from what I have known, and I'm not always sure how to deal with the possibilities.
Pay Attention - you remind me to pay attention.
Powerful signs/dreams - the jay description from the web is a great place to focus. Sleeping in a little late this a.m. after a return from travel, my "focuser" needs a few more hours before I can tackle the questions.
xoxoxo