Finding your Purpose “Do you know your purpose?” The clinical psychologist who asked me that question didn’t wait for me to answer. “I think deep down you do.” When I felt the call from God to become an Associate in Ministry (AiM) in our church, one of the many requirements in the early first steps was to participate in a three-day psychological evaluation. My family joked that I would go to Columbus for the test and never return. They laughed that I would be locked up in a mental hospital for the rest of my life. Some days as a mother of three teens and a workaholic hubby, I already felt like my home was the asylum. Love my crazy family, but I digress… In the very helpful discussions with psychologist, I recognized that the work I was doing then at the local health department no longer aligned with what I deeply felt God was inviting me into. What used to match up with my purpose in a previous season, no longer fit. I passed the church’s mental evaluation but left … [Read more...]
Tending the Holy Thursdays –The Spiritual Practice of Reflection –The Yearly Examen
Tending the Holy Thursdays –The Spiritual Practice of Reflection –The Yearly Examen In December, we have explored the spiritual practice of reflection and how that tends the holy within us. You can read the other December posts on Thursdays and how we used reflection on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. Today, being the last day of the year, is very appropriate to ponder the spiritual practice of reflection using the yearly Examen. Remember the spiritual practice of reflection gives meaning to our lives, helps us see God’s presence in the details, grounds us with landmarks on our journey and enables us to let go of what holds us back in life. It’s like hitting the pause button at regular intervals. The Spiritual Practice of Reflection I heard from my doctor this week by email of all things, reminding me it is time for my annual physical checkup. Then I felt the nudge from my heavenly Physician that it was time to examine the past 12 months before I stepped into the … [Read more...]
Questions to Ponder at Year End
Questions to Ponder at Year End This time of year I sit with questions to ponder as one year ends. I ask my soul. I talk with God. I reread and write in my journal. I allow space in my time and my heart to wonder. To listen. To savor and reflect. To allow whispers of possibilities to bubble up. “The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.” – John Simone Here are some of the questions I am pondering at year end: What is my why? Why is the deepest core meaning God is inviting me to live into? Why does the word “Joy” (or any word that appears to you for next year) attract me so and how I can live in that word in 2016? How will God stretch me in 2016? And how will I react to his invitation? What do I want to look back upon in one year with a sense of accomplishment and joy? What do I want to learn/see/discover and explore in 2016? What words are calling me to write? If I were to die in the next year, what would be my legacy? How do I want to spend the … [Read more...]
How to Choose a Word for the Year
How do you choose a word for the year? Do you even choose one word for the year? One single word to guide your journey into the next chapter of your life? I am a goal setter. Yes, one of those crazy detailed people who makes lists and exhaustive files of what I want to get done, by when, how much and even my why. I love planning and to be honest, planning is my finest form of procrastination. Perhaps that is why the simplicity of choosing one word appeals to me. One word for the year is straight forward, easy to remember and downright fun. I have learned four things about finding just the right word each year. I call it my SOSS. Surprise: Often it is not of my choosing. The word comes on its own and appears unexpectedly. Towards the end of the year I pay attention to what words resonate within me as I read. Does it seem like I see it everywhere? It pops up in conversations. I begin a small list of potential possibilities (of course I would have a list! LOL) and then pray, … [Read more...]
Tending the Holy Thursdays –December’s Spiritual Practice –Weekly/Quarterly Reflection
December’s Spiritual Practice – This Week: Reflection: Weekly/Quarterly Tips In December, we are looking at the spiritual practice of reflection and today will look at how to build reflection into your weekly and quarterly time frames. Remember the spiritual practice of reflection gives meaning to our lives, helps us see God’s presence in the details, grounds us with landmarks on our journey and enables us to let go of what holds us back in life. It’s like hitting the pause button at regular intervals. You can review the overview of this practice and see how I practice reflection on a monthly and daily basis on the last two Thursdays’ Tending the Holy post. Spiritual Practice of Reflection -Weekly Ideas When I was working full time, one practice I had was to write in my journal most Sunday afternoons. I ended up missing some weeks, but to be honest, I wrote more regularly then than I do now. Having a weekly routine made all the difference. Find a weekly rhythm for any or all … [Read more...]
Tending the Holy Thursdays –December’s Spiritual Practice –The Daily Examen
December’s Spiritual Practice – This Week: the Daily Examen In December, we are looking at the spiritual practice of reflection and today will look at one way this practice, the Daily Examen, can be implemented each day. Remember the spiritual practice of reflection gives meaning to our lives, helps us see God’s presence in the details, grounds us with landmarks on our journey and enables us to let go of what holds us back in life. It’s like hitting the pause button at regular intervals. You can review the overview of this practice and see how I practice reflection on a monthly basis on last Thursday’s Tending the Holy post. Living an examined life, a reflective life, involves daily, weekly, monthly and yearly connecting points where we pause and review a particular time period. This can be done on a daily basis by using what is called the Examen of Conscious or Daily Examen. The Daily Examen The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day … [Read more...]
Tending the Holy Thursdays –December’s Spiritual Practice: Reflection
December’s Spiritual Practice – Reflection The spiritual practice of reflection gives meaning to our lives, helps us see God’s presence in the details, grounds us with landmarks on our journey and enables us to let go of what holds us back in life. Living a reflective life is hitting the pause button at regular intervals – daily, weekly, monthly and yearly – to look back on our emotions and experiences, to connect the dots that reveal patterns and to find hope and strength to keep moving forward. By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest; Second by imitation, which is easiest; And third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius Practicing reflection is this month’s spiritual practice to explore in December. Each month on Thursdays, I plan to write about a specific theme that helps us discover and explore people and practices that tend the holy. Spending several weeks on a topic will add depth to our spiritual walk. What is the … [Read more...]
Is Your Advent Full with Stuff in your Hands or a Heart Stuffed with Joy? Thoughts & Quotes & Ramblings
Is your Advent season full with stuff in your hands or a heart stuffed with joy? Is there a whisper in your mind that you love Christmas time, but are secretly glad when it’s over? Does the thought of family conflicts, crowded parties, too much tempting food, overspending and unmet expectations deplete your energy and love for the season? Advent “should” be a time of joyous anticipation and rest and restoration that God keeps his promises. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I struggle to find that peace and hope in the busyness during Advent. "Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present. "An old abbot was fond of saying, ‘The devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.’ "The supreme trick … [Read more...]