From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1: 16 Lord I’ve read the first words from John 1 so many times. I praise you that “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” I marveled that before the earth took form, before all life – You lived. But until today I never noticed the tiny phrase buried deep within the early verses of this well loved Gospel. “Grace upon grace.” God’s amazing grace, your undeserved, often unasked-for and taken for granted mercy and love – not only lavishly given to all of us one time, but over and over again. Like a fountain of cleansing water, your love washes over the world. One blessing after another. More surprises on top of all the wonderful gifts. You created the world – laying a foundation of grace. You continued to walk with humanity, forgiving us as we continued to fail you – more grace. You gave us guidance, laws, lights to shine our path – even more … [Read more...]
One Word – One Verse
Many people skip New Year’s resolutions and let one word guide them throughout the year. I have embraced one word for the last few years and found it’s fun to see how its meaning threads itself among the details of daily life. Often I don’t see it until I “harvest” my journal in a day of reflection. My word for 2014 was ENFOLD. If you have asked me a few weeks ago I would have told you I failed to hear my one word much last year. That is until I spent time rereading my journal and reflecting on the year – a wonderful spiritual practice, by the way. In hindsight I saw how God ENFOLDED me at multiple points of last year. And I know with some sadness that I have missed experiencing His hug by not paying attention. I focused more on discouragement, disappointment, and difficulties than on God’s presence. I hope not to live so mindlessly in 2015 and miss his lessons next year. Last year I even discovered a second word, an “UN” word that evolved as a compass for the year: … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Taking Your Tambourine
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. Exodus 15: 20 “Don’t forget your tambourine,” the speaker said. Once she explained her meaning, I never thought of tambourines the same. She was referring to the verse above from the Exodus story. Miriam, Moses, Aaron and all the Hebrews were leaving Egypt. They packed in a hurry, taking only a few precious possessions that they could carry. Amid the chaos of a sudden escape, being chased by the Egyptian army, they headed to the Promised Land. Dusty bedlam, unknown future and fear also pursued them. God interceded and the waters crushed Pharaoh’s horses and chariots. They were safe on the other side of the sea and leaving the past behind, they began their journey into a new future. This is when Miriam and the women brought out their tambourines. Do you see it? I missed it the first time. See it? Before they left. Before … [Read more...]
An End to the Year Blessing – John O’Donohue
As this year draws to its end, We give thanks for the gifts it brought And how they became inlaid within Where neither time nor tide can touch them. The days when the veil lifted And the soul could see delight; When a quiver caressed the heart In the sheer exuberance of being here. Surprises that came awake In forgotten corners of old fields Where expectation seemed to have quenched. The slow, brooding times When all was awkward And the wave in the mind Pierced every sore with salt. The darkened days that stopped The confidence of the dawn. Days when beloved faces shone brighter With light from beyond themselves; And from the granite of some secret sorrow A stream of buried tears loosened. We bless this year for all we learned, For all we loved and lost And for the quiet way it brought us Nearer to our invisible destination. -- John O'Donohue (To Bless The Space Between Us/Benedictus) … [Read more...]
Christmas Morning
Christmas morning Amidst all the torn wrapping paper and empty cardboard boxes, In between half drunk cups of coffee and cold toast crumbs, Among the yawns of getting up to early but wasn’t it worth it smiles I pause. Lord thank your for these blessings – all symbols of the priceless gift of love and family that fills my home today. Lord, I pause and remember the greatest gift of all – Your coming to us – to live among us, to be born like us, to experience walking on earth with us, to die for us. Like Mary I treasure all these things and tuck them deep within my heart. I reflect upon that event so long ago and rejoice that our Savoir is born. I know I cannot fully comprehend the extent of Your love You expressed on the night of Your birth so long ago. Lord may I have the faith of Mary and a heart to obey You like she did. May I never get so rushed or overwhelmed that I don’t pause to ponder all that You give me. I hold dearly the Christmas Treasure You sent all of … [Read more...]
Christmas Characters – The Shepherds
The shepherds are my favorite group of Christmas characters. I think if I could choose to be at one place during that miraculous event or be one of the characters myself – it would have been the shepherds. I love their enthusiasm. Their willingness to go. How they told others the good news. I have been rereading slowly the Christmas story as part of my Advent preparation, finding new insights and lessons. What did the shepherds show me this year? “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger”. Be open to change – I resist shifts in my plans. I get my to do list ready, my trajectory in line and I start. Don’t stop me once I begin my routine. I hate getting sidetracked. But the shepherds knew better. They knew God likes to surprise us and reminds us He is in charge. And what a gift to follow God’s unexpected leads in life. One night, one moment in time one powerful encounter with God will forever change our lives if we only follow and … [Read more...]
Ordinary People from Little Known Places – Lectio Divina
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27 Lord I read the other day that Nazareth was a tiny town with probably 500 residents. Mary was an ordinary teenager with all the hopes and dreams of many a girl. Yet you used both this small village and a common unknown person to change the world. And I doubt that you can use me too? I worry that we can’t make a difference in this shattered, fragile world? I live in a town of less than 900 people. I am not well known, famous or loaded with money and talent. Yet you call on me. You call on all of us – to follow you and live like Jesus. Help me heed your invitation. Understand your ways. Share your good news. Be your love. Show me the wisdom to know where you are leading even if it is only one step at … [Read more...]
Christmas Characters – Who Delivered Jesus?
Did you ever stop to consider who actually delivered Jesus when he was born? This year during Advent I have been slowly rereading the story of Christ’s birth, relooking at some of the characters and listening for new lessons. Many of you know I am an RN and the nurse in me became a bit puzzled, curious and more than a little interested thinking about the actual childbirth scene in Bethlehem that night. We really don’t know the technicalities of Jesus’ birth but this nurse wondered. Who delivered Jesus? Mary was young. This was her first baby. She went into labor away from her home. Bethlehem at that time was quite small – I read some sources saying maybe 200 or 500 people lived there. Who helped her? Perhaps Joseph. After all he was present and tenderly cared for Mary. But men usually didn’t assist with childbirth. Perhaps some other unnamed female traveler provided aid. Perhaps a local midwife. I did read that our perception of the manger scene is unrealistic … [Read more...]