My pilgrimage to Scotland and England held many sacred moments and images I will never forget. I am a visual person so symbols and memories often become the ways God stirs my heart and awakens my soul.Even though we have been home for weeks now, I continue to glean lessons from this journey.I love walking the hallowed ruins,pausing at the many high Celtic crosses and drinking in the autumn colors in the Highlands. I experienced God in many of these places.So I was surprised at God’s sudden presence as I gazed at the scenery while riding in the back of the bus on a dreary drizzling day. Sister Nancy spoke over the microphone about lives of the English Mystics we would visit later the day. Most people’s heads lowered, rocked to sleep by the gentle movement of the bus.Nancy closed her talk with a poem about crossroads,Trasna. The words drew me into God’s arms and I listened to His wisdom.The word, trasna, means to cross, to choose which direction to go, to proceed. Not only the physical … [Read more...]
Becoming a Star – Lectio Divina
“‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.Daniel 12: 3 (The Message)Glow like stars foreverLord I wander out to the darkened backyard, void of its green and growing season,Resting now in cold November soil.Hush fills the garden tonight.I snuggle under your protective canopy of a deep blue comforter and gaze at the multitude of lights flickering in Your sky.Why did you create stars, Lord?The varied sizes and glows send a mixed message of their dimensions, distances, and purposes. Some of the brightest are really planets.Some of the tiniest are huge in reality.Some of their lights reach earth long after they have perished.Some represent new births as Your universe continues to expand.These verses today linger in my heart as I survey Your heavens.I want to live wisely for You, Lord, and with You eternally.May my life glow like stars … [Read more...]
Wise Words from Mother Teresa – Quote of the Week
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. I do not agree with the big way of doing things. To us what matters is an individual. To get to love the person we must come in close contact with him. If we wait till we get the numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers.- Mother Teresa … [Read more...]
Iona: A Thin Place
What was wrong with me? Here I walked on the remote island of Iona where for thousands of years, Christians experienced God and I felt nothing.I was disappointed. What was I missing?I wrote in my journal that last full day on Iona: “Thank you Lord for this walk on ‘ancient paths.’ The beautiful hikes have physically blessed me and I felt joy with the wonderful discussions filled with laughter among friends. But spiritually something is missing. What does my soul need from this sacred time here on Iona?I know I felt a ‘quickening’ of my spirit, the touch of your hand, the closeness of your breath when I saw the Scottish landscape, the villages and people. I experienced your presence in the Edinburgh Castle and my surprise discovery of the Writers Museum. But Iona remains bare. I don’t want to miss it, ignore You nor do I want to demand its arrival either. Help me see the gift you have for me here on Iona.”On our pilgrimage to Scotland and England we spent two full days on the Island … [Read more...]
Seeing Everyday Signs
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel ProustWhen you travel you learn to see with new eyes. Common sights in our everyday existence jump into our imaginations with new wings when seen on foreign soil.Our recent pilgrimage to Scotland and England, I was fascinated by the road signs. We were in countries where we knew the language - English, of course, - but words and their meanings were different. Here are a few of my favorites:A Loo is a bathroom. Really? They give awards for the best toilets???This would get my attention!Polite way to saying Yield.At first I thought this was a hidden Mickey.We were on a tidal island but got off safely.Here we tip cows. I guess flies are more fun in England. I just never could get one to tip over for me.And your heart...They never ceased to remind us that they drive on the correct side of the road. This made me wonder how strange some of our signs, customs and words are to people … [Read more...]
Everything – Lectio Divina
Then he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.For all of them contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."Mark 12: 43-44(She) put in everythingLord my arm muscles ache.My hands overloaded with carrying the things I cling to so desperately.My heart can’t flow, jammed with worries and cares.My head congested with past regrets and future imaginative circumstances. My heart wants to let go and run to You with empty outstretched palms but my head screams, “Wait... what if...”This woman in the Gospel today, Lord. She gave You everything.Everything.She gave out of her poverty of money when I struggle with my poverty of spirit.Yet You tell me You live within me.You are my Storehouse, my Provider.You are the Shepherd to this little lamb and sheep are not burden carrying creatures.You gently help me lay … [Read more...]
Be Alert – Quote of the Week – Henry David Thoreau
My profession is always to be alert, to find God in nature, to know God's lurking places, to attend to all the oratorios and the operas in nature.Henry David Thoreau … [Read more...]
What’s on My Night Stand?
Ohhh, I do love books. Right now I am reading or just finished several really good ones and wanted them with you.1. Keri Wyatt Kent is one of my favorite authors. I love how her words in her books, articles and on her blog invite me closer to God.Keri's latest book, Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days toExperience the Heart of Jesus, is not an exception. This book in 40 reflections sharing 40 ways drenches you in God's love.I love her first story of the foster parents facing the challenge of raising a four year old boy whose roots run deep in poverty, illness and abandonment."When they tucked him in at night they ask him, `Jonathan, when God looks at you, what does he say?" And they have taught him to answer, "He says, `I sure do love that little boy!" "The truth is, God sure does love you. When he looks at you, his first thought is love...Augustine asserted, "God loves each of us like an only child."This book is rich with Scripture, practical wisdom and encouragement. I highly recommend … [Read more...]