Image by shutterhacks via FlickrI attended a one-day retreat last week on the life of Dorothy Day. We discussed her life and how God was at work in her moments even when she didn’t realize His presence. The second part of her life was spent serving and loving the poor as if they were Christ. I have read many of the books by and about Dorothy Day and always learn something new. The presenter mentioned in Day’s autobiography, The Long Loneliness, she divided her life into three periods. Then she did something very unique: Dorothy gave each of those times chapter names: Searching (her first 25 years), Natural Happiness (next 10 years) and Love is the Measure (the rest of her life)Our assignment at this retreat was to reflect on our time line and if we gave chapter names to our life, what would they be? Great reflective question.At other retreats I have drawn my lifeline out in years, noting significant events and spiritual highs and lows. I have experienced great divine mountain top … [Read more...]
Honey from Rock – Lectio Divina
"But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.” Psalm 81:16Image via WikipediaWild honey from the rockLord You amaze me.You nourish me with your best blessings and lavish me with your finest gifts.I am so very grateful.But honey from a rock? What a strange phrase. Or is it?When the hardness of the world wears me down,When strong forces resist my meager attempts to make a difference,When the weight of heavy burdens crushes me like a mass of boulders,You produce sweet delights and joy from the rock that suppresses me.I think back on situations that overwhelmed me, dragged down my spirit, and stole away all hope. All I had left were shattered pebbles of a dream in my hand.You, the God of all creation, brought forth something good from my ruins.More than good, You “satisfied” me, fill me up with Your sweetness, joy and delight.You make all things new again, not for You, but for me.How can I ever thank You enough, God of wild honey.God of … [Read more...]
More – Quote of the Week
Image by Himalayan Trails via FlickrYou are more than I expect,More than I can handle.You are more than I deserve,More than I can ever earn.You are more than my plenty,More than I can wholly contain,You are more than I believe, More than I can comprehend.Each day I receive more of YouAs You add to my abundance.Barbara Brown Taylor … [Read more...]
What’s Your Exit Plan?
The best seller, The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin is the account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. She also has an informative and inspirational web site and you can sign up to receive daily uplifting emails. One daily post she sent out in August continues to resonate with me. Rubin writes:“A while back, when I ran into an old family friend, he said, “Let me tell you one of my personal secrets for happiness: Control your exit.""'Control your exit?’” I asked blankly. “What exactly does that mean?”“It means, always be able to leave when you want. Drive yourself to a party instead of getting a ride, so you can leave when you’re ready. . . This resolution struck me as a slightly anti-social resolution, but I could see the sense of it…It occurs to me that “Control your exit” is advice that’s figuratively true, too. For me, a memorable piece of advice from Stephen Covey's classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is Begin with the … [Read more...]
A Spiritual Moment – The Wonder of the Human Body
Image by RichDelux via FlickrWe visited “The Bodies Revealed” last week in Toledo. Being a nurse I have always been fascinated by the wonder of the human body, so dragged my poor non-medical husband through an exhibit that some people would find gross. I loved it!Bodies Revealed exposes the human body in unprecedented detail normally reserved for medical professionals. The human body specimens are preserved through a new technique called polymer preservation. In the process, human tissue is permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened. The end result is a rubberized specimen, preserved to the cellular level, showcasing the complexity of the body’s many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs. All of the bodies and partial specimens were donated to accredited medical universities and all died from natural causes.The details in the human body reveal just how much God attunes to every minute details to our lives.Think about this:1. The … [Read more...]
The Lord Is With Us – Lectio Divina
I have been with you wherever you went. 2 Samuel 7:9Image by paurian via FlickrI have been with you wherever you went.What a promise, Lord.That You are with us wherever we go.Actually as I slowly say this verse and hold it close to my heart, I realize it is more than a promise.This is not something happening someday in the future.You are saying, “I have wrapped my arms around with you continually.”You are already here.You have been.You will be.BeforeDuringAfterForever.No matter where I go.Even if I try to run from You as a young child hides when they know they have done wrong.Even when my world floods with the muddy waters of self-doubt and discouragement.Even when I know I am not worthy.You stay with me.Just as You have in the past.Just as You are here right now.Just as You will be in the future.BeforeDuringAfterForeverNo words can adequately express what I feel when I realize the saturation of Your love that permeates every moment of my being.Thank you Lord. … [Read more...]
Divine Seamstress – Quote of the Week
Divine Seamstress Image via Wikipedia"You sew together the fabricOf our transformation.You design the beautiful virtuesThat clothe our soul.You mend what we have tornIn our carelessness.You thread your faithful loveInto our relationships.You tailor our daily endeavorsWith details of Your goodness."Mary Kathleen Speegle Schmitt … [Read more...]
Pray without Ceasing
Image by Dane Low via Flickr“Pray without ceasing” Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” appears in Romans 12:12.“Pray in the spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication” is found in Ephesians 6:18.And then “Continue steadfastly in prayer…” in Colossians 4:2.Ok, Ok I get it. Not only is prayer important, but God invites to pray continually. More than an invitation, it sure sounds like a command to me, yet so hard, even unfeasible to maintain. “God never asks the impossible for us. If one had always to be in church, one would die for lack of the necessities of life; and were one obliged to be always on one’s knees, who could bear the constant fatigue? But God asks only for a conversation to continue always between the two of us, and it can continue when you are working, eating, drinking, writing, and even while sleeping.” 17th century Protestant mystic of the French Reformed Church, Pierre Poiret.I have … [Read more...]