Juxtaposition = “the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect.’https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtaposition
Juxtaposition in Life
Five minutes from my home
there is a highway and a dike. They both serve a purpose in my life. When my
wife and I travel by car anywhere we use the highway. The highway offers no
inspiration for me as a writer. To me, this highway is just a road.
The dike is another matter. All
through the year, every season, and every day, the dike is a welcome friend.
The dike brims forth with life. The area around it is home to all sorts of
birds as well as the occasional bear and coyotes. When one goes for a walk on
the dike there is the highway on one side and the beauty of nature on the other
side. This dike is a world of inspiration for me as a writer. The nature side
welcomes me as a true friend.
In this stage of my life there
is a juxtaposition. While I prepare and write this post, I await specialist appointments
and a brain scan. The juxtaposition is, at the same time, I recently developed
a new lay pastoral care ministry for my church. I cannot neglect my health, yet
my heart beats as a servant of God.
Juxtaposition
can go deep as one tries to make sense out of life.
Juxtaposition as a Writer
A juxtaposition I often find
myself in as a writer might resonate with you as you read these words. When I
write I like to be on my own. As one who is introverted by nature I embrace
solace, stillness, and silence like I embrace the love of my wife.
I also, at times, make my way
into the world of family and friends for company. There are other times when I
feel a need to chat with another writer. I am not a complete loner and love the
company of people I trust and love.
When I hide away to write,
however, I do so with the joy I sense when going for a walk on the dike. My
wife and I share a small home with our poodle, Charlie. When I go to our spare
bedroom to write, Charlie comes with me. He curls up on his little bed and
snoozes or looks out the window. When my energy to write runs out I open the
bedroom door and we carry on with our day. This is my main habit as a writer.
There are times where I long
for the company of other writers. I prefer face to face meetings. Due to where
I live, I must use the highway to drive to meet another writer. I don’t know of
many too close to me, so driving is necessary. The travel to share with or
listen to a fellow writer is always worth the drive.
A Shared Juxtaposition and an
Invitation
I hope this isn't an
overreach, but I see a juxtaposition we share as writers, readers, and friends.
We are scattered all over the country and many of us have never met each other
in person. Despite this reality, we have an eternal bond. We are in, but not of
the world.
Dear friends, I invite you to
join me on the dike. We can walk together and breathe in the sights and sounds
of God’s message to us. A message where we turn our faces away from the busy
highway and its hard asphalt surface. Instead, we take time to watch an eagle
enjoy his flight or a little finch chirp a happy song from a wild apple tree.
Life seems to pass by so
quick. Take time to hug the inspiration and walk without hurry through the
beauty of a dike or other nature path near you. Enjoy the friendly stares and
giggles of trees as they welcome you to their world. Hear the crunch of gravel
and grass beneath your feet. Feel the caress of a gentle breeze across your
cheek. Lay aside the loudness of life noises and listen to God’s still small,
beautiful voice.
Perhaps some day, if God allows, we will walk
together and share writer thoughts and the voice He has given us to write with.
Alan lives in Deroche, B.C.
with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He contributed stories to Good
Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017; Story by Story: The Power of a
Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018; Easter Stories & More by InScribe
Christian Writers’ Fellowship, 2021. He is currently working on a book
expressing the grief of grieving grandparents entitled “Hidden Poetic Voices: A
Reflective Work of Grief, Faith, and Poetry.” Alan periodically writes articles
for FellowScript Magazine and the online magazine for Compassionate Friends. He
has written posts for our InScribe blog since 2015. Blog:
https://scarredjoy.ca.
Amen, dear Alan, to enjoying a favorite nature walk. The next time my husband and I go through the wooded area near our home, I will think of you and Terry walking through life together too. Praying you get accurate testing and speedy healing.
ReplyDeleteMay you have many more years to hear God's beautiful voice during your visits to the dike.
Blessings.
Thank you for your continued prayers, Wendy. The dike is a comforting friend. I have my first cataract surgery on October 30 then a CT Scan Oct. 31. I'm moving forward and no fear.
DeleteThank you for this heart-deep post, Alan. It spoke to me this morning, as I juggle life's physical demands with a rich inner life, where I long to spend time. Your metaphor of the dike and the highway give a perfect visual of trying to balance our world as writers. You write, "I cannot neglect my health, yet my heart beats as a servant of God." You are in my prayers as you face tests and as you minister to others. I always enjoy your posts, Alan. I feel as if we do meet as writers, here on InScribe.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, dear friend, we can meet each other here in some way. I admit, however, I long to meet more of us in person. I pray for you and the demands on your life. Continue to walk in faith and keep listening to God's beautiful voice.
DeleteThanks, Alan, for this rich, beautiful and peaceful post. As I let your words wash over me and I can feel myself breathing more easily. I am always amazed how your pastoral heart and poetic rhythms weave colourful threads through your pieces. Your dike sounds like a wonderful and inspiring sanctuary. Praying all goes well. Will add my prayers to others for your journey through tests and results and for balance in your latest ‘juxtaposition.’
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon. I find it an honour to be able to contribute my words here. For you to say my words helped you breathe easier is a humble joy. Thank you for your prayers, my friend.
DeleteFirst, I just love the very 'sound' of the word "Juxtaposition"... but then you brought such richness to it as you wove the various parts together int his post. It spoke to my heart and was a reminder of the way we need that solace but we also need each other... Lovely! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear, Tracy, I hear you about the sound of the word, "juxtaposition." Juxtaposition is a curiosity seeking word. After writing this post my mind kept thinking of other juxtapositions show up. Such fun! I remember your post about your InScribe "peeps," and how fun it was to read it. We are "peeps," together here. Such a wonderful blessing God has given us.
DeleteThis will stay with me, "Enjoy the friendly stares and giggles of trees as they welcome you to their world." Thank you! I enjoyed walking with you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Andrea! Yes, so much fun listening to the trees. Did you know deciduous trees have a higher toned giggle than evergreens? The next time you go for a walk in nature listen close and you will hear their giggles. Try it, okay?
DeleteThank you, Alan, for this peaceful and inspiring post. Juxtaposition occurs in so many areas of our lives. It would indeed be lovely to meet with other writers from Inscribe. I feel quite isolated at times.
ReplyDeleteI pray that your cataract surgery and further tests will go well, and that in the juxtaposition of uncertainty and faith, you will know God's deep abiding love for you.
Hi Lori! If you still live on Vancouver Island, we aren't too far away from each other. :) We can also always correspond through email. InScribe, of course, is at least one way we are all connected online.
DeleteThank you for your prayers. Prayers are a soothing healing oil to us as we face the juxtapositions of life.
Thank you, Alan, for your invitation to walk along the dike with you--a beautiful lyrical description. Often in nature walks the Lord helps me sort out the juxtapositions of life. I, too, pray for you. If God has called you to a new area of service, He will certainly take care of your health. And how true that our prayers are "a soothing healing oil to us as we face the juxtapositions of life."
ReplyDeleteDear Sandi, thank you for considering my invitation. :) Yes, walks on the dike often give me sunbursts of inspiration for writing. I still have at least a couple more specialist appointments ahead. Health challenges are but a determination for me to keep on serving God's people as much as I can and as He leads.
DeleteAlan, yes I will come for a walk with you on your dike. Thank you for the invitation. Perhaps I'll bring my Cowboy and you can bring your Terrie, and while you and I talk of trees and writerly things, those two can share recipes and talk about dogs (your Charlie, our Chara).
ReplyDeletePraying all went well with your surgery and scan, and that you are resting comfortably with Terrie and Charlie by your side.
Dear Joy, thank you for accepting my invitation to walk on the dike. :) There are times of the year where the world of the dike sings to you. Spring is the best time for this. I love your idea of us talking about trees and writerly things while Terry and your Cowboy talk about recipes and dogs. I can see us doing this. Let's keep it in mind, dear friend. :)
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