I love music – almost all genres (not big on rap or indie, or most opera)…picture puzzles…meandering through antique shops and used book stores…building sand castles…horseback riding…drinking wine by the fire…reading…writing…going fast in a motorboat.

I love restoring and giving new meaning to what others see only as old or common and meaningless…badminton… gardening…sitting in the sun soaking up its warmth…watching the waves of a lake…hiking…hearing the sounds of different birds…watching the movements of wildlife…silence.

I love rowing…working hard, feeling every muscle engaged…hitting golf balls at the driving range… learning…goofing off…trail riding or running…watching kids play baseball…beautiful sunsets…deer in the wild…sitting only in the light of the moon…having the curtains and window open so I can see the stars and hear the night sounds while falling asleep.

I love a challenge. I love live theatre (except for Shakespeare – sorry folks) and art museums and being spontaneous – just taking off for the day to go wherever I end up and exploring what’s there because I can.  I love riding my bike along lake or ocean trails.  I love street festivals and open markets.  I love chocolate covered cherries and potato chips and olives.

I love solitude, and making unusual recipes.   I love to hear people’s stories of their life – their adventures and passions and lessons learned, longings filled, and simple pleasures enjoyed.  I love trying to tap into who they are through the things that I give them – carefully selected just for them.

I love praying with people – watching their eyes light up in encouragement and belief that they matter, especially to God.  I love to teach the bible.  I love to advocate for justice.  I love to give generously so that others are free to do what they love to do in ministry and mission.  I love to create ways for people to discover or hold onto their dignity.

I love history. I love life.  I love God.  I love helping others make things happen.  I love networking and getting for people what they can’t find – like Klinger in M.A.S.H.  I love getting people connected to other people. 

I love hugging people – not for myself – for them – when they really need a hug.  I love to hug them for as long as they need me to hug them.  I love to pray for people, especially when God prompts me concerning people I don’t even know, especially in the middle of  the night. 

I love the scents and aromas of creation and candles and good food and wine and anointing oil. 

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting contemplating these things.  I heard God say, “Shell, go play…go do what you love to do.  Don’t explain it, try to justify it, try to make sense of it or defend it…just do it.  Don’t respond to others’ criticisms, objections, dismissals or expectations.  Just do it.  Enjoy.  Express the life in you that cannot run out…can only overflow continuously if you will shake off the restraints.”

Mmmm…