Time goes by so quickly. If you try to catch it, like bubbles or whispers, the moments evaporate. Yet life occurs in those fleeting seconds. I am learning to treasure these ticks of time. To pause and breath. To hold sacred the seconds of living. Perhaps it was the retreat a few weeks ago when we began each session with three deep breaths. The first breath reminds that I am mortal, the second that others with you are mortal and the third reminds us that this makes the moment of interaction and coming together even more precious. I inhaled the breath of God and let it swirl within my soul, dancing around my heart. I exhaled the very depth of myself, back to Him, letting him remove my many masks and embrace my empty vulnerability. Maybe the awakening spring reminds me of how life emerges, cycles, and reiterates its rhythm and pace. I too often dash at full steady speed without the minding the tempo of time. The rests and the crescendos create dramatic music. Recently I … [Read more...]
Lord, You are Enough – Lectio Divina
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14: 8-9 "that will be enough" Lord you are enough for me. Why do I continue to seek other trinkets to fill my void? Why do I gorge with food to satisfy my emptiness? Why do my eyes wander to the shiny objects of the world? You and you alone are enough. Nothing else will satisfy and fulfill. Your banquet is plentiful and your water sufficient. I rest in your abundant love and lavish guidance. Thank you, Lord for providing me with what I need. You alone are enough. You are enough. … [Read more...]
Resurrection as Faithfulness – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
The resurrection does not solve our problems about dying and death. It is not the happy ending to our life’s struggle, nor is it the big surprise that God has kept in store for us. No, the resurrection is the expression of God’s faithfulness…. The resurrection is God’s way of revealing to us that nothing that belongs to God will ever go to waste. What belongs to God will never get lost. Henri J. M. Nouwen Don't you love how Nouwen brings our attention to the idea that resurrection focuses on God's faithfulness? God keeps his promises despite our facing death and dying, struggles and unexpected turns in life. Resurrection shows us that God is in everything and he uses all things to his good. The last sentence says it all - "What belongs to God will never get lost." Amen! Here is one more quote about resurrection from Henri Nouwen: "The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. Jesus didn’t rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement, or to … [Read more...]
The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan
Do you have a God Box? Mary Lou Quinlan wrote a memoir about her mother titled “The God Box – Sharing my Mother’s Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go.” Keeping a God Box is a wonderful spiritual practice I just added to my routine. The God Box is any box where you keep handwritten notes/prayers to God. No fancy paper or pen, no lavish words, no long theological petitions – just simple prayers scribbled to God for everyday concerns and thanks. Quinlan writes that the only caveat to her mother’s practice was once she put the request in the box, it became God’s. “If you think you can handle it better than God, it’s coming out,” her mom would tell her family. What a way to give hope, comfort and the relief in letting go of the gunk we keep inside our hearts way too often. Her mom’s requests were simple and always dated. “Dear God, Please make my right ankle stop hurting, Love Mary. “ “Protect Jack in decisions about his job. Thank you for all your blessings. Love Mary.” After … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Remembering our Baptism
Do you remember your baptism? Some of us come from beliefs where babies are baptized, while others practice baptism only with adults or near adults. Some of us sprinkle water at a font and others immerse fully. Anyway we are baptized, most of us believe we are marked with Christ in this sacrament. Do you think about your baptism often? Daily? My local church newsletter lists the upcoming month’s birthdays and below these dates, there are the dates of when people were baptized. This serves as a reminder to remember that we are children of God, loved by him and part of his family. Being baptized is not just a one-day celebration with candles, water and family. The day of our baptism is the day God connects with us deeply. Now that is something worth honoring and celebrating. While I was on retreat a few weeks ago, one of the participants shared how she remembers her baptism each day. When she showers in the morning, she puts her hands on the head saying aloud “Remember … [Read more...]
The Lord is my Shepherd – Lectio Divina
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil and my cup is running over. Psalm 23: 5 Shepherd Lord, these words continue to draw me close to you. Their wisdom shapes me beyond expectation. Every time I read them or say them from heart I hear something new. I find you in the small words, the incredible words, the spaces between the words. The word “enemies” stopped me today. I learned last week on retreat that when the word “enemies” is used in the Psalms it is often not just those outside of us attacking us but also the inner adversaries. And my private opponents are many. Doubts Discouragement Fear The list is long, too long but as you prepare a feast for me (for me?), all my submerged faults and foes are present too. I don’t have to conceal them from you. You know they are there. Not only there but you invite them also to the banquet. Does that mean you love all of me, Lord? The good, the bad, the ugly, the warts and … [Read more...]
Growing – Quote of the Week – Joyce Rupp
“While there is tremendous potential for growth in a seed, of itself, it does not do the growing. It is the sun and rain, it is the nutrients of the soil that help the energy held in the seed to awaken and stretch outward into life." Joyce Rupp … [Read more...]
Honoring the Legacy of Women that Impact our Lives
Mothers’ Day is joyous for many of people. They have much to celebrate when their relationship with a mom or as a mother is good. Usually food, good memories and remembering to express thanks and love is part of the day. But Mother’s day can also be difficult reminder. Some of our mothers have long been gone due to death or family difficulties. Others may have more recently lost their mom and hearts still ache. Maybe the only gift you have from your mom is a life long legacy of hurt. Some women are not mothers, many not by choice and this holiday stings and burns. No matter how you approach, ignore or celebrate this holiday – let's take a moment to honor the legacy of women in our lives. Even if that woman isn’t a mother or even related to you, most of us have had women who encouraged us, cared and inspired us and generally made a difference for us. My mom has been gone for 38 years. Wow, I gasped when I realized how long ago she died - in some ways a lifetime and in others, … [Read more...]