Gracious Lord,Thank you for the joy of traveling. For the honor of seeing your creation. The joy of being alive in your world. Of experiencing the ocean breezes and the mist on my face. Standing on the deck losing count of all the variation of shades of blues in the waters before us. The loving companionship of my hubby. The deliciousness of the food, both familiar and unfamiliar. Meeting friends from around the world. Breathing in new cultures and learning histories that impact us all. Deepening understanding of varying ways of living. Watching wildlife leap for joy in the air and sea. Waiting for the clouds to pass at night to catch glimpses of the Southern Cross and Orion in your great universe across the heavens. So often, Lord, I felt blessed and thanked you for this time away to see your vast creation. The wonder of your amazing world. And now grateful for returning home and the comfort of routine, family, and beauty even in my … [Read more...]
Back to Basics – Prayer
Prayer - what more can I say? Prayer is an essential practice for all of us longing to follow Christ in our earthly journeys. Back to basics has been a series these last few weeks here on Healthy Spirituality as we ponder what best nourishes our soul and our relationship with God. What are primary ways that we often neglect, forget, or just plain get too busy or distracted to do? Time to get back to basics. Prayer A friend said to me the other day she was embarrassed to admit that after a near fatal car accident, it was days before she prayed. And this is a lady of great faith. I am never surprised in spiritual direction when I ask (or am asked by my spiritual director) how have you prayed about this? Then the other lowers their head and whispers, “Sad to say, I haven’t really done about that yet.” I have been there too. Yes, I pray. I pray a lot. But I am also amazed how much I forget to, too. I did write a few years ago - 11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer. It was a good … [Read more...]
Advent Prayer
This Advent prayer was written by one of my Lamplighters, mentors, and guides - Henri Nouwen. The words shape my morning prayers in this season. May this prayer bless you too. Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!' Amen. What advent prayer lights your way right now? PS: Advent is a great time to pause, listen to God, and draw closer to the Creator and Gifter of all things. Many people chose to read a special Advent book during this season, and I will humbly … [Read more...]
Small Moves
“Small moves, Ellie” is a line spoken near the beginning and repeated towards the end of the movie, Contact. I attended a retreat quite a while back where the speaker shared clips from this movie and then we discussed the spiritual implications. I have love Contact ever since then, watching it frequently. “Small moves, Ellie,” advises the father of the main character as a child, Ellie Arroway, who is a young ham radio operator. Her father is coaching her at her radio not to turn the dial too quickly and to move a radio dial very slowly in order to hear the frequencies in-between. He tells her "Small moves, Ellie, small moves." “Small moves” is also a pivotal movement in Ellie’s transformation as an adult when she experiences an encounter with a person from another planet (looking like her father so she is not afraid). When she is full of confusion, questions, and uncertainty about what happens next, he says with tender love once again, “Small moves, Ellie." If you are … [Read more...]
The Ebb and Flow of Life
September invites me to pause, savor, and reflect on the ebb and flow of this past season. The joy of family and families gathering for celebrations. The tender moments of reconnection. The warm (perhaps too warm some days) sunshine on the back yard deck. My roses outdoing themselves in blossoms this year. But I reread my journal, spotted with tears and anger and sadness experienced in the darker moments of life. War. Suffering. Illness. Separations. I am slowly learning that life is more and/both than either/or. Ebb and Flow. Good ol’ Henri Nouwen says it best in this prayer: “Dear Lord, Today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to … [Read more...]
Prayer of Abandonment
The prayer of abandonment by Charles de Foucauld has haunted me all year. The words keep appearing in readings. Its message scares me yet draws me into contemplation. This prayer is calling to my soul. Can I really pray this prayer? Am I honest in saying thank you in response to God doing what he wants with my life? Is this truthfully my only wish to be abandoned to God? Will I ever fully surrender my all to the All? Part of me says yes, but my ego shivers with the consequences. I yearn to be closer to God but to be honest, my pride, personal agenda, and independence pulls me in opposite directions. I thirst to keep the eyes of my heart only on him. This prayer of abandonment requires trust and faith that I am inadequately equipped for – I am not strong enough to pray this prayer on my own. Then I realize I am overthinking, overreacting. Fear blocks me from risking my love for God. “Just take a deep breath, Jeanie. Slow down and pray. God will take care of the … [Read more...]
Collecting Prayers Using My Word of the Year
All is my word of the year and I have watching for and collecting prayers containing this word. Such a simple word - you would think I would have an endless list by now but alas, the list grows slowly. Slowly - that in itself is a good lesson. I tend to rush, skim, get it done. Looks like God is inviting me to savor and enjoy each prayer. To allow its word to seep into my soul. To feel its “all” to permeate my heart and shape me. I find the prayers deepens if I copy its words, not by the printer or computer but unhurriedly with a pen into my journal. These prayers accompany me through my morning devotions and linger with me throughout the day. Holy companions, these prayers. Here are a few of my new friends shedding light on “all.” Covenant Prayer – John WesleyI am no longer my own, but yours.Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.Put me to doing, put me to suffering.Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,Praised for you or criticized for … [Read more...]
Let Go or Let’s Go
“Go” is my word for 2021 and for such a short, simple word I have been amazed how it has weaved its meaning into my life this year. For some earlier examples, you can reread these blog posts here and here. This past week “Go” tickled my imagination during my practice of breath prayer. A breath prayer is a very short prayer that can be said in one breath and repeated throughout the day. It is an ancient form of prayer, found in writings as early as the second century. The prayer communicates a sense of nearness with trust and dependency on God. Perhaps the best-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” That morning I inhaled “Let” and exhaled “Go” as I relaxed into God’s arm and surrender the many attachments coming between us. I loosened my grip on concerns and future non-existent anxieties. “Let go.” “Let go.” Then I noticed a whispered change, “Let’s go.” “Let’s go.” A simple … [Read more...]