This season of Lent I have been intentionally slowing down and listening to God. The use of breath prayers has helped me in this practice. Breath prayers are short prayers said in one breath. Simple, repetitive and surprisingly ancient. The breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer to take on the shape of one’s breathing so that the words accompany every breath. Examples of common breath prayers are “In you, Lord, I put my trust,” “Help me understand your ways, Lord,” “Lord I am yours,” “ I am, God’s Beloved,” and “My Lord and my God.” The idea is to pick a meaningful phrase and repeat it until it becomes a part of your being. Perhaps the most famous breath prayer is the Jesus Prayer. This prayer goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ” (while breathing in), “have mercy on me, a sinner” (while breathing out). This is done repeatedly until all is stilled within your heart. I am rereading the classic, The Way of a … [Read more...]
Lenten Listening
We have entered the Lenten season. Are you exploring any new Lenten practices? Sticking to the traditional ones of fasting, service, and repentance? Letting go of something tangible or even intangible like a mindset or way of reacting? It is not too late to answer the divine invitation to practice Lent. Here are some thoughts that I have been pondering about Lent as I listen deeply to this season’s lessons. Maybe something will stir within your soul as you listen. I shared two weeks ago this thought: “I feel this year to enter Lent with silence, stillness and a listening heart. I hope to increase my morning prayer time with quiet contemplation on the gracious and grandeur of God and the love and sacrifice of Jesus. I am asking the Holy Spirit to show me what obstacles I cling to that prevents me for fully loving the Trinity and to create space in my heart for more and More. “ I have been sitting in silence and stillness and listening this Lenten season. God has … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – 2026 Midwinter
I love to share Four Somethings – things I have read, seen, experienced that made me stop and savor life. One practice I frequently encourage is reflection – pausing and pondering where you are, where you have come from, and where is God inviting you into next. I share bits of wisdom in four categories. Gathering Four Somethings make me aware of all the blessings often hidden under busyness, worries, and distractions. 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. Something Wise “One cannot cover the face of God.” African proverb I am reminded to take deep breaths and be present in the moment. God is here and yet larger than I can comprehend or imagine. And I am held in the hands of God and called beloved. You are too! Something Wonderful Do you burp your house? I think this is such a fun, silly term. Popular in … [Read more...]
Visualizing My Word of the Year
I find the practice of visualization to be helpful in my journaling, prayers and discernment. Using God’s gift of imagination, I “see” what is possible and find hope and motivation. Having a picture or image of my word of the year reminds me to keep listening for its lessons and helps me focus and pay attention. In 2026 my word of the year is “way.” I am learning to listen how I say this word. Do I say “a way” or “the way?” Is way capitalized or not when I “see” the word? Paying attention to this detail has helped me get to know my word better. But what does my word look like? I have absolutely no talent in drawing. I have tried to do sketches or calligraphy, but a toddler could do better. Remember I am the one who failed scissors in kindergarten and never really improved on my small muscle capabilities since then. I needed outside help to find some ideas about how my word may appear. I entered this word into one of the artificial intelligence tools and ask it to create a … [Read more...]
Letting Go and Creating Space in 2026
Due to the predicted drifting snow and wind, I postposed a planning meeting with the worship team. We would meet a week later but still have time to get worship details organized for the upcoming season. The forecast foretold of difficult driving and no one wanted to be out on the roads. Guess what? The storm never really materialized, and we could have held the meeting and gotten our work done. I bemoaned this fact several times to my hubby. He kindly remined me, “Don’t keep second guessing yourself. Let it go.” Don’t keep second guessing myself. Yes, that is a good thing to release not just for this event but onward. Too often I let this old habit of rehashing and overthinking take over my mind and sometimes ruin a day. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set … [Read more...]
You Are More Fun than Bubble Wrap!
You are more fun than bubble wrap! You're so thoughtful. Thank you for being my friend and listening. You are making a difference! Compliments – wow they can make our day, don’t they? January 24 is National Compliment Day and a reminder to share compliments because they can change the world. The power of a compliment is pretty remarkable: either giving or receiving one can boost your happiness and confidence — making the act a win-win. You never know when someone could use some good vibes, so spread the positivity by giving someone a reason to smile! "A compliment is verbal sunshine." – Robert Orben Ever have one of those down days, but then you receive a compliment from someone that turns your mood around? While compliments may seem simple, they can have a large impact on you and the people around you, creating a ripple of positivity. I like that image – a ripple of positivity. Our brains are wired to receive the words of a compliment at the same level … [Read more...]
2026 Word of the Year
The spiritual practice of choosing a word of the year has been lifegiving for me. One word, a theme for the year, guides me when I get lost in the fog of to do’s and calendar demands and overwhelmed by the news. One word to remind me who I am, whose I am, and what I am called to do. One word that acts as a trellis, supporting me, stretching me, and sustaining me. Each year this word finds me; I don’t really discover it. Funny, isn’t it? Sometimes a word arrives loudly like last year’s word – courage – did for me. This year was quieter. About mid-November I began making a list of possible words I would read or hear that seemed to attract me. As the weeks went on, I would circle ones on that list that continued to shimmer in my soul. Sometimes in December I narrowed the list down to a few candidates including one that whisper to me in a dream one night – unusual for me as I rarely remember dreams. The one finally rose to the top, often consolidating some of the themes found … [Read more...]
Good-Bye 2025
December 31 welcomed me in silence. I opened my journal for my year-end ritual of what I call harvesting my journal. I slowly reread and reviewed the past year, making note of patterns, highlights, growths, lessons, wisdoms and the many points where I should have known better. Often I smile. Sometimes I cry. Usually, I feel God’s presence as we walk together reflecting on the past 12 months. This year my imagination felt as if I was given a beautiful basket and was invited into a large open meadow. We slowly gathered an array of flowers, different sizes and colors. Soon my basket overflowed with memories and my heart with gratitude for all 2025 provided. Some flowers though brought thorns that jabbed my fingers and reopened wounds again. But in the end, I held the most delightful exquisite bouquet you could imagine. What a sight to behold. I heard God whisper, “Slow down. Don’t rush through this liminal time from one year to the next.” And I will obey this call. I will savor … [Read more...]