What is happiness? "Jean Anne is such a somber child." I overheard this statement from one of my mom's dear friends. She was talking about the 7 year old me. I never forgot it. Childhood experiences and beliefs attached to our minds and hearts like superglue. Many times we aren't even aware of their power. As an adult I am amazed that I continue to get to know myself better. "Is that really like me?" I will ask my hubby or close friend when realizing some characteristic about myself with new insight. I need a trusted outsider to confirm it. My blind ego stumbles upon a new awareness that I never saw before and I am shocked with surprise. Somber? Me? As an adult I made the decision to choose happiness. My default switch is set on pessimistic so I have to actively push it towards optimism. Sometimes I feel like I am swimming against the waves of gloominess and being too serious in order to splash in the clearer waters of joy. "Some people think it is … [Read more...]
Spiritual Priorities
Remember the old Abbot and Costello skit: “Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...” I have been pondering that question lately: Who’s on first? Who is first in my life? I wish I could say God was all the time, but to be honest, that is not always true. I heard a speaker a few years ago, Rev, Dan Schrock, pastor of the Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen Indiana, speak about five attachments we cling to instead of God. Many of these affections are not bad, but just disordered. We hold onto them tightly, putting them in first place – a place reserved only for God. “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14 What takes the place of God as priorities in our hearts and lives? 1. Physical objects – that new truck, our laptop, the home we have lived in for 26 years 2. People – This could be a highly regarded mentor, a close friend and … [Read more...]
The Invitation – Entering Into Worship and Prayer
I learned something new lately about preparing my heart to enter into worship and prayer. I have been helping with the beginning of our church’s worship service. I lead the opening prayer and share the children’s message. What is new is that I am wearing a wireless microphone. I am aware of every cough, clearing of my throat and escaping hiccup could be broadcast quite loudly over the speakers during the time I am “live.” Part of that time is when we sing our first hymn. mmm, I don’t want to have the rest of the congregation subject to my singing being transmitted throughout the church so have been silently mouthing the words of the opening song. What has surprised me is this has evolved into a quiet time of prayer with God. Silently saying the words brings the lyrics alive as I offered them up to God. “Those who sing, pray twice.” - St. Augustine. God has shown me a new way of entering into his heart for worship. I wonder what others means … [Read more...]
GUIDANCE – God and I Dance
Guidance. God and I dance. Do you see in the word Guidance - the words God and I dance? A friend took this photo of a gravestone a few weeks ago. Inscribed was the perhaps familiar to you poem about the word “guidance" and "God and I dance." When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing " dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving … [Read more...]
Spiritual Wisdom from a Six Foot, Three and Half Inch White Rabbit and the Gift of Imagination
Where do you find spiritual wisdom? I am a Jimmy Stewart fan. My favorite movie of all times is “It’s a Wonderful Life!” But another much loved one is Harvey. Harvey is a great black and white movie classic. Elwood P. Dowd’s best friend is a six-foot, three and half inch invisible white rabbit who accompanies him throughout his day helping him. It doesn’t take you long to fall in love with Elwood’s charming innocence. The movie also has some great spiritual lessons too: Spiritual Wisdom from Harvey Ponder these delightful quotes from Elwood: “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.” “In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whoever I’m with.” “Harvey and I warm ourselves in these golden moments. We came as strangers - soon we have friends. They come over. They … [Read more...]
How to Honor Sabbath while Traveling
Last February I posted about being more intentional to honor Sabbath, titled Practicing, not Perfecting Sabbath. Fellow blogger and Christian sister, Shelly Miller has been writing about Sabbath and has a great series on her blog, Redemption Beauty, about surrendering to Sabbath. I so do appreciate her honest sharing with honoring this day as it has inspired me to continue in this practice. Honor Sabbath So how have I been doing? I did implement much of what I had planned and was actually noticing a difference on Sundays. I was more relaxed. I entered into worship and prayer at a deeper level. My dance card was packed on Sunday with the Lord filling all the slots. I connected and spent time with our Creator. BUT then we began to travel. We were gone many weekends. Airports and automobiles became my sanctuary. I unraveled. I wandered. Distractions and disarray reigned. I even noticed I didn’t sleep as well. I focused more on what I wasn’t getting done and less on … [Read more...]
Walking a Labyrinth – Spiritual Practice
Walking the seaweed labyrinth on the Iona About 15 years ago, just when I was beginning this new growth in my spirituality, walking a labyrinth appealed to me. A good friend drove me to a grassy one built on the back acreage of a retreat center, explained it to me, and invited me to enter in. That first step into its winding circle was also my initial step into my next phase of spiritual growth. Based on the form of a circle and the spiral, this practice is an ancient and powerful symbol of wholeness and transformation. It is found in cultures throughout the world and has been added to many retreat centers as a form of walking prayer. Some of the earliest ones were found in Greece dating back to 2500-2000 BC. The path becomes a metaphor for the spiritual journey. The labyrinth is not a maze. Mazes have many paths and dead ends and they evoke a very different feeling than when we walk a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a unicursal with only one path in and the same path … [Read more...]
Slowness – Spiritual Practice of Keeping Tempo
I was amazed at the comments and emails I received after Tuesday’s post about slowness and soul rest. You all made me feel better realizing I am not the only one struggling with busyness. Your words also reminded me to be grateful for the ability to be busy and to savor the opportunities as blessings. Thank you. Practicing slowness is a valuable spiritual discipline. At one of the retreats I attended a few years ago we intentionally practiced slowness. We spoke slowly. We chewed our food longer. We put our forks down between bites. We deliberately looked one another in the eyes. The routine at this retreat that struck me the most though, was how we physically moved from sitting to standing. I normally bounce up and get going. We moved in slow motion. More Eyorye than Tigger. Try that sometime this week. When you need to stand up or sit down, move very slowly. Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of … [Read more...]