Faith stories. Can you express your personal story of how God has shaped your life? Do you know and share your faith story? How does this spiritual practice impact both our lives and the lives of others? Faith stories. I listen to them in conversations. I love reading them in books and articles. I lean forward expectedly when they are shared in interviews. Faith stories connect us with one another. Remind us we aren't on this journey alone. They inspire us to try once again. They motivate us to stand up for grace, justice, and love. Knowing, speaking, and sharing our stories reveal how God is ever-present in our lives. Knowing our faith story – Reflecting on how we first learn about God, how to pray, what helps us hear him gives us insight into how God is shaping us, calling us near to him. I call it holy hindsight – to review both our spiritual high points and low times and know God walked alongside us. Knowing our faith story brings healing and fills me with … [Read more...]
Disconnect Unconnect Reconnect
Reconnect shattered the shell of my heart this past week. We all have been disconnected from loved ones, routines, work, church, and community as we used to know it. We have been living in cocoons, unconnected except for online chats, Facetime, and endless Zoom meetings. I am zoomhausted! At last, a sunny warm day in northwest Ohio graced our lives and I emerged like a mama bear after a long cold winter of hibernation. I stretched. Put on my favorite walking shoes. And hubby and I ventured along the one-mile trek surrounding our little village. Reconnect I love to walk and to finally journey outside felt like Christmas morning. Yet remember my image above – the mama bear – yep I was groggy, sluggish, and bit disoriented. I hungered for movement and focused on each step, stretching stale muscles. Off we went. Our route took us past Edon's famous Dairy Treat, a locally owned and loved throughout the region for treats and a quick dinner. They just recently reopened … [Read more...]
Questions – A Spiritual Practice to Ponder
We are in times of uncertainty and many unknowns. Thinking of our present Covid 19 reality reminded me of one of my favorite quotes. Rainer Maria Rilke wrote this in his book, Letters to a Young Poet: "I want to beg you, as much as I can, dear sir, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer." While I love to plan and know things for certain, I am gradually learning the value and lessons in listening to the questions whirling around us during this time. What a spiritual practice for all of us to learn and use – a light that will help us thrive in unclear present moments with unknown … [Read more...]
Hope Returns
Hope returns. Where are you finding hope in these uncertain times? My heart yearns for good news. My eyes search for positive signs. I beg God to show me he is still here in the midst of death and doubt. I truly believe God is present and never leaves us. We are the ones who ignore him. Who rush by him. Who put on our blinders, narrowly focusing on what is going wrong and missing his mercy and grace. We are on holy ground all around. We just fail to see. Hope Returns A few weeks ago, I wallowed in my self-pity and whining. Covid 19 mired my perspective and attitude and infected my heart. I pleaded to God to help me see his promises and to revive my soul. That is when hope returned. I write this blog each week from my office with a great window facing my backyard. When I sit in my glider chair in this same room for my morning prayers and devotions my view is the sky and trees. This is my sacred space I have shared in previous posts. I watch the … [Read more...]
The Inner Chapel – New Book by Becky Eldredge
Are you aware of your inner chapel? The idea of an inner chapel intrigued me and invited me into Becky Eldredge's new book, The Inner Chapel, just released this week. She defines the inner chapel as "simply a place within each of us where God dwells and where we can meet God." This book then shares what this means and gives us insight and tools for this fresh idea of spiritual growth. What a reassuring and welcoming image to hold and behold. This is a deep book full of comfort, guidance, and invitation to come closer to God. Its words provide even more value in this time of uncertainty and fear. To know we are not alone, no matter where we are or what our circumstances are – God is with us. The Inner Chapel is a book overflowing with God's promises and offerings of insights to new approaches to prayer. Promises such as: We Are Not AloneWe have ShelterWe Belong to GodWe are Fully Seen and Offered MercyWe have a Companion in Our Suffering In our … [Read more...]
Margaret of Castello – A Story of Perseverance in Difficult Times
Have you ever heard of Margaret of Castello? I had not until she was mentioned during the annual Lent Madness event. I don't know about you, but I am tired of everything I write, read, and hear is focused on the Covid 19 pandemic. I know we need to stay updated, BUT I need some inspiration, hope, and encouragement. Margaret's life and how she met with challenges refreshed and strengthened my resolve as we too face some difficult times. Who was Margaret of Castello? Margaret was born in 1287 in Italy. Her parents immediately told others she had died and hid her away. Her parents wanted a son and were disappointed she was a girl. Then matters got worse. You see Margaret arrived in the world with birth defects. She was born blind and with very serious spine and leg problems. Some accounts describe her as a hunchbacked dwarf. Her parents were horrified and ashamed. They kept her in a secluded section of the castle where they lived. Later her father had a room built without … [Read more...]
Grief and Gratitude – Antidotes for the Coronavirus
Could grief and gratitude be antidotes for the shroud of the coronavirus enveloping our hearts and minds? I feel bombarded by every aspect of life impacted by this pandemic. Blogs. News. Texts. Emails. Memes. Advertisements. Conversations. Pandemic comes from the Greek language - pan meaning all and demos being people. Something affecting all people. Not just the number of people but also the huge influence on individuals and society. Coronavirus has hijacked our lives and consumed our time. Grief Last week I mentioned I am being aware of naming my emotions and the one that keeps rising within me to describe this discomfort I am experiencing is grief. Remember the feelings we undergo with grief? Shock, disbelief, anger, sadness, resolution/acceptance. One aspect of healing is to admit what we have lost. The loss of connection. The loss of worshiping together. The loss of work. The loss of life. The economic loss. The loss of vacation. The loss of a … [Read more...]
A Spiritual Spinning Spring – How Are You Feeling- Really?
Whoa! Remember a few weeks ago when we were deciding what to give up for Lent, planning spring and summer vacations, and knew each day what routine and rules governed our daily living? We didn't wonder how much toilet paper we had in our cupboards. Whether we would have worship Sunday morning. Which restaurants to go to Friday night. When we would see and hug our grandkids. Spring certainly took an unexpected spin, didn't it? How are you feeling? Really. How are you? I am a three on the Enneagram and find it so hard to name the emotions I am experiencing, but I am trying. ShockedSadOverwhelmedDistractedScatteredShatteredSpinningDisconnectedInconvenienced yet blessedWavering between being scared, allowing my eyes to focus on the world vs. trusting and keeping the eyes of my heart only on our Almighty God.Experiencing tears of the grief of what is being lost, then tears of joy from human humor and selfless kindness. Most of you don't know … [Read more...]