“In the hustle of May, it can be easy to forget who we are.” I really identified with this quote written last week by Emily on her wonderful blog, Chatting at the Sky I sighed when I read that line since its words so appropriately captured how I was feeling. I need some soul rest. Soul Rest Too much have I lately wolfed down fast food pace of to do lists, deadlines and shallow living. I don’t want to live this way. Spring is a busy time. Nicer weather invites, calls demands our appearance in the garden. Flowers to be planted, ground tilled for peppers and tomatoes, cleaning out my small pond, and scrubbing outdoor furniture for future outdoor celebrations. The grass appears to grow two feet every night in spring, let alone weeds popping up all over. Then once again I have said yes to too many commitments: “sure I can squeeze that it in,” scheduling everyday with obligations that seemed important earlier but now annoy me like a bothersome nuisance. On … [Read more...]
Companions for the Journey
I love this painting of the Emmaus Road. Two friends walking together down the path of life with Jesus beside them. I have blogged about Emmaus Road impact on my spiritual walk before such on this link. Who is companioning you on your journey? Some will answer that question by saying Jesus is their companion. Others will reply besides Jesus, they share their faith stories with family and friends. In addition, others grow by speaking with a spiritual director. In my program to become a spiritual director we had the assignment to pick someone from history, a spiritual giant, to study with for two years. There is so much we can learn from studying others who came before us. I am not a fan of the word “spiritual giants” since these people are humans with weaknesses, difficulties and even poor decision making. Saints were not super humans, but in reality they were flawed and sinful just like us. But somehow they kept running that race; their lives reflect what we … [Read more...]
Bluetooth Discernment
Have you ever thought about discernment? My car and I talk: I push the Bluetooth phone button. “Ready,” my Chevy Equinox, so eager to please, responds. “Call home.” I direct. “Home?” the mechanical feminine voice asks. “Say yes or no.” I quickly say, “yes.” “Home?” the mechanical feminine voice asks. “Say yes or no.” “Yes!” I repeated rapidly after her second attempt. “Ok, good bye.” After this happened to me several times, I learned my lesson. If I respond with my “yes” too fast after her question, my friendly computer friend doesn’t understand and the communication fails. If I pause before I say “yes,” things go much more smoothly. I explained my little trick with my car to my husband the other day when the universal truth of what I said hit my heart. What good advice for making decisions too. Pause before saying yes or no. Things will go smoother when you don’t go too quickly. Pause before saying yes - a bluetooth or “bluetruth” … [Read more...]
Silence – a Spiritual Practice
Silence? How well do you do with this spiritual practice? I attended a silent retreat for four days this past weekend. Now a few of you who know me more than just through this blog probably think I wouldn’t last or would be expelled. Yes I do talk quite a bit. But I figured out this was my fifth silent retreat! I find this type of spiritual practice to be one of the most effective disciplines for opening my heart and bringing me closer to God. In fact the few years I didn’t attend one for more than 24 months, I missed them. Now I try to get to one annually. We arrived Thursday evening and have a talkative dinner together. After supper we meet as a group, sharing what we think God may be inviting us to experience the next few days. I have learned to let go of my expectations though. Often I will list in my journal questions I would love some insight to during my quiet time with God but then hold them lightly. Sometimes I hear answers; sometimes not. We begin the silence … [Read more...]
Walking with Strong Women From History – Take my Survey and Help Me Choose
Perhaps it started with the Dorothy Day quote I read the other dayOr maybe it was reading that tomorrow, March 8, is International Women’s Day.Or could it have been the fun and crazy voting and cheering on different spiritual giants in the Lent Madness brackets?Now fellow blogger Sarah Bessey is hosting a discussion about strong women. Check out her blog. But I am ready to walk with a strong woman from our Christian history.When I entered the program to become a spiritual director we picked someone to study. I chose, no, I believe she chose me - Dorothy Day. For two years I read her writings and other books people wrote about her. I really felt like she accompanied me on that part of my journey.Last June on retreat, Teresa of Avila sat with me.Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1I compiled a list of … [Read more...]
Spiritual Practices of Reading and Retreating
Reading and retreating - going on a retreat - are two practices that nourish our spiritual growth. In our everyday hectic distraction-filled life we need to be intentional about what feeds our spirit. Too often we focus on other people’s needs or give into the addiction of busyness. We neglect the holy habits that help us hear, know and love God. Reading My bedside stand has been full of great books that have called to me lately and I thought I would share a few with you. Yes I am one of those types that have many books going at one time. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva Dawn - I am revisiting this book as I attempt to honor the Sabbath more each week. This book explores the different dimensions of ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting - a very holistically approach to the Sabbath. Daring Greatly - Brene Brown. I mentioned this book on my recent post about Being Stretchedthis year. Brene researches the value of having the courage to be vulnerable and how that can … [Read more...]
Winter Wonderings
Here are some winter wonderings. February is the longest month of the year. Or least it always seems that way to me in cold wintry Ohio. I once suggested to God that He move February to between July and August, so we would have an extra month of summer sunshine and one less month of dreary chilly mornings. Of course He never did this; perhaps that is why He is God and I am not. (Anyway some of my friends from the Southern Hemisphere probably wouldn’t have liked that either.) Winter is a time of rest of my soul and reflection. During Lent and this frosty time of year I am wondering today about my Month of Writing Letters, my ongoing lessons about my word(s) of the year: STRETCH and ENOUGH, and my attempts at honoring the Sabbath. Handwritten Letters During Winter About a month ago I wrote about The Lost Art of Handwriting Letters and the Month of Letters Challenge. So far I have written and mailed 26 notes to friends, some I see often and some I haven’t even met. What … [Read more...]
The Power of Kind Words
Kind words are powerful. In the mornings I hear a chorus of chirpy dings as emails drop into my inbox. Notes from friends. New posts on blogs I follow. Headlines from a few news agencies. Yesterday one email changed my day. A person wrote me to tell me how much she liked reading Healthy Spirituality. “You never know how far yours goes but please know that you make a difference to a small Congregational church in Massachusetts.” Now I am not sharing this to brag or asking for more compliments. Mark Twain wrote: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Notice he didn’t say dwell on them, brag about them, or refuse them. He let them digest to build his inner strength and nourishment. What amazed me what my reaction to her email. Her kind words washed over me, refreshed me and lifted my spirits. I think I smiled the rest of the day. “One kind word can warm three winters.” A Japanese Proverb Her email also reminded me about my … [Read more...]