Rise
Rise
Children remind us to take life one step at a time. Thoughts inspired by them…
Rise....
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Again, my sweet class of 4 year-olds were happy to give me their thoughts as to what Rise means to them. The most popular response dealt with the sun...Rise is “like a sunrise”...”the sun rising.” A more unique response compared Rise to “seeing a unicorn.” And, a very visual and practical image came from comparing Rise to “rising to get out of bed.”
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If you’re lucky, you gradually rise to get out of bed in the morning...rather than jumping up in a frantic bolt. No, the word Rise undoubtedly implies a slow, gradual ascent. .
I am reminded of a very slow ascent taken the other year. If I were to describe it to someone in advance, it might go like this....
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Now...this ascent may include a 40 minute bumpy road...with enough bumps to cause a good case of motion sickness. The ascent may also result in a flat tire from one too many potholes, a few of them the size of some adults. And finally, the ascent may take the 40 minutes duration because simply, you can’t go more than a few miles per hour from all the bumps and potholes.
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But, you know what I couldn’t accurately describe? At the end of this challenging and slow ascent, there is a spectacular sight....one that words just don’t do it justice.
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Indeed, it’s a perfect spot to be reminded of the inspiring beauty that can lie at the end of a difficult journey...one which is slow and arduous.
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Where have you seen beauty...that rises above? A beauty that not only eases the pain of the challenging journey, but also takes your breath away?
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