Be encouraged, not discouraged! We just missed The National Day of Encouragement held yesterday September 12. This day is dedicated to encouraging and having a positive impact on those around us. I like having one day to increase our awareness of encouraging others and to inspire us to put this into practice and actually be encouraging. But why stop at one day? Let’s make this a daily discipline – try to encourage at least one person every day. Your words have the power to lift someone when they are down. They also have the power to motivate someone who might be struggling or encourage someone to pick themselves back up after a setback. A small act of encouragement could be the spark that changes a loved one’s perspective. To praise and encourage someone’s efforts is a practice worth having, no matter the day of the year. And just think: The day of encouragement follows Sept. 11, a day full of hurt, confusion and hopelessness. Sept. 12 seems an appropriate time to … [Read more...]
Trust the Slow Work of God
Trust the Slow Work of God, written by Teilhard de Chardin, is a challenging quote, but one that I repeat often. This year especially its words call to me. Sometime “borrowing” a prayer, written by someone else, expresses what your heart is trying to say but can’t find the words. This one encourages me and I hope it encourages you too to keep trusting. “Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the wayto something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress, that it is made by passing through some stages of instability, and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you Your ideas mature gradually. Let them grow.Let them shape themselves, without undue haste.Don’t try to force them on as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own … [Read more...]
Pondering All
All is my word of the year. All walks with me. Shows up unexpectedly in books and conversations. Stops me and says, “Hey, take a moment and listen. I have something to tell you.” I am fascinated by having a relationship with one simple word. A word of the year becomes a companion, a wise fellow traveler, and a fun sidekick. I think that is what surprises me the most about this practice – a word of the year isn’t all serious, deep, dramatic lessons – the word sparkles with joy and smiles too. I hunt for “all” in stores. Maybe finding a great sign. A pin. Or special greeting card expressing this word in a creative way. I am one who overthinks the past and lives in the future, planning, organizing, trying to control out of fear of what might happen next. All grounds me in the present. All is what we have right now. All is all that matters. Pondering the word “all” this year has given me a new lens to see my life and the world. All has widened my view. Given me … [Read more...]
Share Four Somethings – August 2022
Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories. I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey. With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way. I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and to see what they will teach me this year. Something Wise Something Wonderful Something Whispered Something Whimsical Each one reminds me to pay attention to these qualities in my life as gifts from God. I am learning that whimsical is the hardest one for me to capture and one that need the most coaxing to appear. This was true again this month. Something Wise Prayer is not asking for what you think you want but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. Kathleen Norris Prayer can be moments of letting go and leaping … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Questions
Questions! Do you have a curious faith? Some people belong(ed) to church that discourages asking questions. As a spiritual director I have learned the power in the spiritual practice of using questions to explore, understand, and hear God in new ways. I am a fixer and quick decider. I like the comfort of knowing answers or at least the next couple of steps on this adventure and gift of life God has given all of us. Tell me where I am going and what to expect and I will dig down and get there. But that isn’t God’s way, is it? Unanswered questions are the fertile ground of growth, formation, and surprises. I wonder why does this question nag my soul? What does it mean? What does it make possible? The best lessons emerge in the wrestling, welcoming, and wondering with each question. Lore Ferguson Wilbert has just released a new book, A Curious Faith, that looks at the questions God asks, we ask, and we wish someone would ask us. Questions grow from curiosity. Trying to … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Simplicity
Simplicity is a spiritual practice promoted by many. But I am going to be honest – keeping it simple is hard for me and this is one practice I ignore and neglect. Anyone with me? After all the uncertainties and constant pivoting of the pandemic, the turmoil of war and political divisiveness, and life in general I crave more simplicity. Letting go. An uncluttering of the emotions crammed in my soul and simple trust in God. I have kept my eyes far too long on what is wrong and have been weighted down with fears, shifting, ever-changing plans, and doubts on where I need to go into the future. "To be simple is to fix one's eye solely on the simple truth of God at a time when all concepts are being confused, distorted, and turned upside down."— Dietrich Bonhoeffer How am I trying now to practice simplicity? Please note the word: trying. I have much to learn yet about this discipline. I am decluttering my schedule. Reviewing all my commitments and activities. … [Read more...]
A Retreat Intention and God’s Intervention
Intention means what one plans to do or is aiming for in a particular situation. Every retreat I have been on the last few years, the leader has asked us what are our retreat intentions and deepest desires for our time with God. I attended a silent retreat two weeks ago and this time I knew my hunger was for clarity – clearness on my next steps in my ministry and how best to spend my time and calling. I also yearn with time to be with God, focused on the Lord, not my to do list. And yes, I hold these intentions lightly with open palms. God’s will, not my agenda. God always surprises me – with so blessings. I wrote the following in my journal towards the end of the retreat and simply share this today with you: I asked for clarity; God brought me stillness. I asked to be filled; God helped me empty. I asked what should I do; God invited me to be. I asked How can I love you more; God ask me to open, receive, and know His love. I asked for more time in the … [Read more...]
Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song – Hymn and a Prayer
Hymns are beautiful forms of worship and moments of prayer. Often, I just say, not sing, hymn lyrics when being with God. This practice deeply connects me with that song plus gives me wonderful expressions that help me articulate what I want to say to God through cries for help, praise, lament, comfort, desire, and love. Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song was a new hymn for me when we sang at our synod assembly a few weeks ago. I stopped singing just to breathe in the words. I closed my eyes and listened deeply. I worshipped. I prayed. Later I wrote them out in my journal and have used them in my morning devotion. “Those who sing, pray twice” has always been one of my favorite sayings. I think those who pray songs, sing twice! This hymn was originally composed in French by “Les petites soeurs de Jésus” ("The Little Sisters of Jesus"). The tune is a little hard to follow which probably explains why we haven’t sung it much in church, but I do love the words. Such … [Read more...]