TJ Hirst

Duluth, Minnesota, is one of our family’s favorite Midwestern cities. Just over the crest of a tall hill, as north as Interstate 35 goes, the blue water views of Lake Superior introduce the surprise of this port city in a state that otherwise appears land-locked and flat.

We discover Duluth aesthetics, nature-made and man-made, on every visit. We search the narrow, hilly city streets for the restaurants where the locals eat, watch for shipping traffic to come in and out of the harbor, wait while the Aerial Lift Bridge raises and lowers for them, and pass through “Tunnel Land” (as our children call it) to the scenic North Shore destinations of Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse.

We travel as a family to Duluth at least two weekends a year for church conferences and more frequently by ourselves for other meetings. Since I love to explore new places, I research the web and ask friends about the unknown places we have missed.

I found Skyline Parkway in a guidebook. While my husband was in a meeting with a potential client, my children and I drove this narrow roadway that overlooks the city and Lake Superior. And, we happened upon Enger Park and its lookout tower from behind the fire of fall’s changing leaves.

Memories of these simple adventures prompt us to plan our next ones—UNTIL THIS WEEKEND.

We reserved a suite at a hotel with a water slide. A friend invited us to drive up and see Gooseberry Falls. When that didn’t fit our schedule, she invited us to join them at the Lake Superior Zoo.

“What do you think about the zoo?” I said to my children.

They said, “We would be looking at a big empty place with a lot of colorful toys, waiting for a big animal to come out from hiding to play with them.”

“So what should we do in Duluth?”

From my oldest, a teenager, “We have been going there twice a year for the whole time we lived here—for like eight years. That’s at least 14 times. Nothing’s new anymore. What do we do now? Start over from the beginning and do the same things all over again?”

I can see how they might have outgrown stopping at every Lake Superior beach. Or maybe they have just lost interest in doing it in the unpredictable 40 degree rain and wind.

And I think I understand. This may be a signal that it is time for a change of routine.

But I hesitate. It may be a symptom of our tendency to cast off what is old to discover what’s new, again.

It is important to endure and preserve meaningful traditions. We can redevelop our interest and enjoy new pursuits in the same situation. But should we always?

When it has lost its appeal, it may have also lost its purpose. Perhaps, we might reconsider our purpose.

A scripture I am working on . . .

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

And he took it, and did eat before them.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:42-48

Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us today?

Welcome Spring! Today is the Spring Equinox. A change in seasons is always a good time to refresh my basic knowledge about the relationship between the earth and the sun and its effect on our lives.

Seasonal change in the angle of sunlight, caused by the tilt of the earth’s axis, is the basic mechanism that results in warmer weather in summer than in winter. Change in day length is another factor.

Nature responds to the increase of light and begins to change. Even in Minnesota where the spring bulbs will not appear for more than a month, I see signs that nature senses a change.

This week my sister-in-law wrote this:

I need the rejuvenation of what (spring) symbolizes. I am hungering for the green to be more present in the outdoors, for the flowers to poke their heads out of the ground. I’m always amazed at how early some of the flowers come, even with the chill that hangs in the air. They can’t wait to feel that sun. As do I. I am so looking forward to the warmth.

Our family is also receiving and responding to an increase of light from heavenly sources this spring. We have sensed a need for slight changes that will carry us into new seasons of growth.

We have lived in our home for three years without rearranging furniture or redefining spaces. Ironically, in the last week, we were inspired to make small physical reorganizations in almost half the house.

After we made these changes and Paul began the planning process for others, the whole family responded to the new openness. More importantly, the physical changes initiated other purposeful emotional and spiritual changes.

For example, my daughters both rearranged the furniture in their rooms to accommodate their changing circumstances. We weeded out the outgrown clothes and books and made space for that which is now a priority. As a result, their moods and desires changed, enabling them to prepare for future needs.

These small shifts in life’s seasons bless our family and make me grateful for increased light that helps us sense when to change habits or relationships so growth will continue.

Try-It With-Me Tuesday, an interactive weekly time and place to foster connections that challenge and encourage the process to become a well-rounded person.

March in Minnesota brings spring a little bit at a time. Our water comes in the form of snow showers. Despite what it looks like outside, I have been able to open my windows once or twice and let some spring air blow in. The smell of spring (and the spring cleaning) rejuvenated our house and me.

With all this renewal of nature, I thought it appropriate that I began a health challenge:

Drink more water this week.

Water has a lot of health benefits and my attempts to drink more of it as a health habit have been a lot like March in Minnesota. So, I need your suggestions. How much is more water for you? How do you keep track of how much water you drink? What do you do to remind yourself to drink more water?

Meanwhile, I am just beginning my biography for the March Reading Challenge. I’m going to spend my spring break reading about Dolley Madison.

Do you want to Try It With Me?

Join in by trying the challenges with me, commenting, linking, or suggesting a challenge. If you want to write a post on your blog about what happened when you took the challenge, I will publish your link. Just link to my website in your post and send me your link.

^{Have you taken my poll on Finding What Inspires? I would love your feedback.}