The Climax of a Real Story
take a deep breath, be brave, and live
The climax of a real story is always moving: growing up, graduation, true love, marriage, becoming a mother, getting the kids to bed so you can finally sit down for the evening, hitting send to the publisher after a decade of writing, getting the kitchen clean after breakfast.
In stories, there is one climax. And then there is the hope of sustained joy. There isn’t time for the mini-dramas of the everyday. There is only time for the two-hour-special, the one big problem, overcome, against all odds, where love comes shining through and saves the day.
But this moment is the climax of your story. Whether you are sitting in grief or surrounded by those you hold dear. Because you are alive. And your body is activated by the sacred breath of beautiful life, spirit housed by flesh and bone. You are not a lifeless body, but body, soul, and spirit, moving as one.
This is the moment that touch can be reciprocated. That words are not just ink and memory, but flow forth as voice and song from the living soul.
The day is yours. This moment, a gift. There is no time for fear or regret.
If you want to understand your life you must recognize this: this moving moment is the most important moment of your unfinished story.
So take a deep breath, be brave, and live.
*Today’s post is an excerpt from my new book, The Sacred Everyday, A Search for the Exquisite Beauty of an Ordinary Life, now available on amazon or anywhere you buy books online.
Dear friends,
I was going through old journals today and I came across the notes I first wrote when I was thinking of this idea about this moment being the climax of my story. God is gracious in allowing life to unfold before us as a mystery. There have been so many surprises along the way. And when I look back, I am astounded by how He has brought me through so many mountains and valleys, and how he continues to write new chapters into my life that are brimming over with stories of His faithfulness, tender love, and kindness. I would like to use this moving moment to thank him.
And to thank all of you for being a part of my story. I am so glad you are here.
Love,
Mackenzie
Local(ish) Friends, I Have a Question for You:
I feel a little bit of stirring in my heart to host a one-day women’s journaling retreat in northeast GA sometime in the few months. My vision is still coming together for this, with lots of details still to work out, but I am imagining a very special day of writing and kindred fellowship around open journals, sharing meals together, and drawing closer to God. I am just putting it out to my friends here to see if there is any interest in an event like this… If this sounds like something you would love to do, or if you just want to learn more about it as the ideas are coming together, would you leave me a quick comment or reply to this email? Thank you!
From Youtube:
Sharing a new (old) song of Randy’s this week. He wrote it 25 years ago but recorded this video this week. When we played shows, he always told the story of this song, which was inspired by a 5-month old baby. He tells the story at the beginning of this video.
From the Blog:
I don’t know why this post I made years ago gets more traffic than almost any other, but it keeps popping up in unexpected places. This is part of a free 3-week Creative Family Curriculum I threw together in 2020. Click on the image for a printable version of this scavenger hunt… If anyone needs some inspiration to get kids out in the late summer heat, I hope this helps!