Weeds (Photo credit: Robert Hruzek)During this hot dry summer, the only things that have grown well in my garden have been scrawny ugly weeds. The ground is too hard to pull them up. I cut them down and overnight they sneak in the reserves and multiple. Over and over again. Remember the story of Sisyphus from Greek mythology? The word “Sisyphean” means endless and unavailing task or labor. In the story Sisyphus was given the punishment to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.Over and over again.Living with tension is part of being human. I guess the reality of living with unanswered questions, the paradoxes each of us face in this life and never really getting rid of the tension between right and wrong, love and hate, good and evil is like an unwelcomed houseguest who never plans to leave. Over and over again.Most of my adult life I thought if I worked hard enough or was good enough, this internal dilemma would be … [Read more...]
Cultivate the Discipline of Astonishment
Mary DeMuth’s new book is called Everything: What you give and what you gain to become like Jesus and is scheduled for release October 16. You can preorder it here. I am blessed to be part of Mary’s launch team for this wonderful book and have an early copy to study and enjoy. Over the next few Thursdays, I will be sharing a quote from the book and some thoughts that her words have stirred within my heart. This book is wonderful, full of wisdom and stories, and will help you discover the freedom in surrendering everything to Jesus.Once a month six of us gather in a circle for group spiritual direction. Each of us takes a turn sharing where and how God has been moving in our lives. We listen intensely and intentionally in silence to each story, then after prayer share a simple response, hopefully instilled with the Holy Spirit.Often I have to peer deep within me and struggle to find the words to describe my experiences with God. Last month I told them that since my June retreat I have … [Read more...]
Keep On Stepping – One Step at a Time – Even in Circles
To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. – Chinese ProverbI’m frustrated. I thought I heard what God called me to do. I prayed. I listened. I obeyed. The only message I continue to hear from God is this: Complete what I asked you to do.So I try. And I tried again this morning: to finish what I believe is my next step.Nope, didn’t happen. The door remained shut. I don’t understand. I am bewildered. I feel surrounded by an enormous wall that I can’t see beyond or get through.Then I remember one of my favorite Bible stories: Joshua and Jericho.After the death of Moses, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites. As they entered Canaan, the Promised Land, the walled fortress of Jericho loomed ahead of them. How would the ragtag army of foreigners who have been traveling for 40 years ever defeat that city?Joshua prayed. God had a strange plan - The men were to march around the city once each day, for six days. The priests were … [Read more...]
Satan Doesn’t Want Us to Hurry – “Someday” Works for him
I am a great procrastinator. Someday I will get that book written.Someday I will lose weight and start exercising regularly.Someday I will send that letter to my old friend.Someday I will stop procrastinating.I have to keep telling myself that “Someday” isn’t one of the days of the week.Mark Twain quipped, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow." I learn best through stories. This old tale that I rediscovered this week, really pierce through my procrastinating patterns.Satan, frustrated with the continued devotion of Christians, called his three chief devils to offer suggestions about how to undermine the Church and to stop the forward movement of Christ’s work.The first devil said, “I’ll tell them there is no Heaven. That will lead them to despair.” But Satan responded, “I’m afraid that will not work. Whenever parents see a newborn baby, or whenever anyone sees the Milky Way on a dark night, they will know that there must be a Heaven.”The second devil … [Read more...]
What Am I Afraid to Give to God?
What are you afraid to give to Me?I was surprised to hear this question today. Quieting myself following my morning devotions, I spent the next few minutes rambling on and on with my litany of supposedly important wants and needs, my prayers for others, my ever-present complaints, and a dash of praise and thankfulness for good measure. Finally like a spent two year old, I rested on God’s lap of love, leaning on His chest and listened to His heartbeat. That is when I heard Him whisper.What are you afraid to give to Me?What am I clinging to with clenched fists, hiding behind my back, leaving hidden in dark corners? Why is fear my reaction to giving God everything? “Shouldn’t” I trust Him with my all?St. Ignatius called anything that hinders us from growing closer to God or doing His will a “disordered attachment.” These could be good things, just not in the right priority. What fills my hearts first instead of God? The list is endless. Physical things - like loving my house or brand … [Read more...]
Olympic Oomphs and Ovations
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)I sure have enjoyed the Olympics these past weeks. Many of the stories are inspirational and encouraging. We see the story of life portrayed in the ups and downs, the striving, the unexpected twists and turns, and even the grit in picking one self up and continuing.One neat aspect this year is the emphasis on the parent support, especially mothers. Proctor and Gamble produced this commercial honoring all that moms do to help their children succeed. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.Reminds me to express my thanks and be grateful for those behind the scenes. The teacher that comes in three weeks early before school starts to get her classroom ready and to write welcoming notes for her students. The man who walks the pews after church straightening up the mess left behind by others. People who pray for strangers and give to food banks. So many everyday Olympians.I saw a video few months ago of Olympic Gold Medalist and figure … [Read more...]
Robert Bruce’s Lesson from a Spider
Ever hear the story of Robert Bruce and the spider? My pastor shared his story during the sermon this past Sunday and its message lingered in my heart. The devil knows his best tool to trip me up is discouragement. Perseverance is not a natural strength for me and I bet not for most of us. Yet that “try one more time attitude” fills me with optimist hope that maybe, just maybe the next time... When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown People in Scotland like to tell the legend of Robert Bruce and the spider. In 1306 he was crowned King of Scotland and began the quest to free Scotland from the English. Battle after battle he had fought with England. Six times Robert Bruce had led his brave little army against his foes. Six times his men had been beaten, until finally they were driven into flight. At last the army of Scotland was entirely scattered, and the king was forced to hide in the woods and in lonely places among the mountains. He … [Read more...]
Small Things Matter To God
Do small things matter to God?We live in a world where everything is supersized and maximum strength. We see airbrushed models as real. We ask what went wrong when someone gets a silver medal in the Olympics instead of gold or a student earns a B+ instead of an A. So often I feel I am not enough. My gifts are too small and insignificant to make any difference. My failure to live up to my expectations and the internal voices telling me what I “should” be doing block me from growing closer to God and from following His will. I focus more on what I lack instead of focusing on who God is. I really needed to hear the gospel lesson this week.I listened to familiar story read on Sunday morning. Jesus gave thanks for the young boy’s small gift of five loaves and two fish and then the entire crowd had more than enough to eat.More than enough. It started with an unnamed, small boy, barely noticeably in the huge crowd. The scripture isn’t even clear if he voluntarily offered his lunch or if the … [Read more...]