I love the word "ruminations". Something about it feels permissive to let your thoughts grow and morph until they are sure they are ready to become concrete.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
ru·mi·nate verb \ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt\
ru·mi·nat·ed / ru·mi·nat·ing
Definition of RUMINATE
transitive verb
1: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2: to chew repeatedly for an extended period
intransitive verb
1: to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2: to engage in contemplation : reflect
— ru·mi·na·tion \ˌrü-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun
— ru·mi·na·tive \ˈrü-mə-ˌnā-tiv\ adjective
— ru·mi·na·tive·ly adverb
— ru·mi·na·tor \-ˌnā-tər\ noun
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Examples of RUMINATE
The question got us ruminating on the real value of wealth.
He ruminated over the implications of their decision.
Origin of RUMINATE
Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud
First Known Use: 1533
Related to RUMINATE
Synonyms: chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, pore (over), question, revolve, ponder, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with)
That is just pure yummy to me.
All of this to say -
A couple of years ago we went on our usual trek to Tennessee. We stopped at a look out at one point because the boys had to go to the bathroom - and we wanted to stretch our legs. On one of the posts, someone had written, "It was always you".
I loved it. Thought it was so romantic sounding. How sweet to stop and look over the beautiful countryside and proceed to deface property. Really though - the sentiment is quite sweet. And from time to time I still ruminate on the where's the why's and the wheretofor's.
But no matter where , why or wheretofor...the phrase is captivating.
"It was always you"
Life is transient at best.
But there is one thing that promises the stability and solidity of such a phrase as "It was always you".
God
He is the one thing that has always been...and always will be. No matter how insecure and screwy my own life becomes. My one touch stone that will always be is God.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. PSALM 90:2
Thank goodness there has always been and always will be Sovreign God. And also for the fact that He uses the unlikely things to prove his power.
1 Corinthians 1:27
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong
I pray he will use me.
I have had the same thought in my head the last couple of days. I am trying so hard not to live according to the world's wisdom and what it offers. I am reminded always that God uses the lowly and the humble to show himself great.
The best I can ever hope for is to be clay pot. Empty and unimpressive until I am filled with the all-surpassing power of God.
2 Corinthians 4:6-8
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
That - to me - is a pretty amazing thing - especially in this day and age.
