You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by. ~James Matthew BarrieSpring is my favorite time of year. The bright colors, warming breezes, and digging my hands into the cool earth awaken me after a winter of hibernation. Driving home the other evening I noticed the pale hint of green dancing on the edges of the trees as the earth too slowly rises from its slumber. After a few warm days, the tight buds on the bushes in my front yard shake off their drowsiness unfurling their new leaves.Soon every bush and tree will be fully dressed for summer. I can’t wait.But why am I wishing away this early hint of spring? So often I whiz through the day barely noticing the emerging new life until it is fully here. For a change I pause and capture the inkling of things to come.As a ‘three’ on the Enneagram, I tend to live in the future - setting goals and planning my next step. I fail at living in and enjoying the … [Read more...]
Accepting Compliments Gracefully – Internally and Externally
We were in the middle of the grocery store. The elderly lady in her motorized shopping cart rode right up next to my husband and me. I recognized her from my county, but her name totally escaped my mind.“I have been wanting to tell you,” she said, “how much I enjoy reading your articles in the newspaper. Whenever I see your name, I read the whole thing. Just love your writing.”I stammered out a weak thank you. Smiling, I told her I enjoyed my job as a feature writer and the opportunity to meet lots of people and learn new things.We chatted briefly a little longer, and then parted ways.The next day a church member told me she had seen a nurse I used to work with at the health department. “She said you were the best boss she ever had. Thought you would enjoy hearing that.”Wow, two unexpected compliments. Why did they make me feel so uncomfortable, instead of joyful?To be honest I thought, “Oh, no something bad is going to happen now.”Why can’t I just breath in the fresh air of nice … [Read more...]
Doubting Thomas – Lectio Divina- April 11 2-10
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:24What a statement of faith - Thomas recognized You for who You are and all he could say was “My Lord and my God.” That is probably all he needed to say isn’t it, Lord?Lord forgive me when I get too wordy, focusing my prayers only on my needs, my doubts, my fears.Lord when I see You - really recognize You - with the eyes of my heart - I know. Yes I know deeply You are my Lord and my God.No other words are neededA prayer of worship and praise - my Lord and my God.A prayer when I can’t find the words - my Lord and my GodA prayer when I am filled with doubt and have lost my way - my Lord and my God.A prayer to whisper in your presence - my Lord and my God.You are my Lord and my God! … [Read more...]
Prayer and Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite authors. The first book I read by him, edited by Wendy Greer is titled The Only Necessary Thing – Living a Prayerful Life. I revisited that book this week and here are some of my favorite quotes from that book:· Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is the only necessary thing. (Luke 10:42) It is living with God here and now. · The more we pray – in the sense of living a prayerful life – the more we desire to pray · I am deeply convince that the necessity of prayer, and to pray unceasingly, is not as much based on our desire for God as on God’s desire for us. It is God’s passionate pursuit of us that calls us to prayer. · A spiritual life without prayer is like the Gospel without Christ. · Praying is living. Praying pervades every aspect of our lives. It is the unceasing recognition that God is wherever we are, always inviting us to come closer and to celebrate the divine gift of being alive. · Prayer is … [Read more...]
Five Spiritual Spring Cleaning Tips
Last week’s warm weather in northwest Ohio jumpstarted my spring cleaning. I emptied cupboards, reorganized shelves, and even washed the outside windows. The silver tea service I inherited from my mother is buffed and polished. The house is beginning to shine.That is not all. I made my appointment for my overdue mammogram and even had my teeth cleaned. Sparkling though and though, right?Then I felt God nudge me: What about some spiritual spring cleaning? Mmm, good time to assess that, Lord. I know the dirt and grime in my heart and soul contaminate my life and draw me away from God. Here are five spiritual spring cleaning tips I am going to work on:1. Get rid of clutter - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31. Ok, time to dispose of my judgmental and sarcastic attitude. Help me to let go of old habits and sinful ways, Lord. I have been writing a lot about my poor attitude in my journal. Periodically I … [Read more...]
HE IS RISEN – All Other Words are Unnecessary
Lectio Divina - April 4 2010After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 1Then Jesus said to … [Read more...]
What Does Maundy (Thursday) Mean?
What does the word “Maundy” mean? As we progress through this holy week of Christ’s passion, I paused and realized I didn’t really know the definition. The name "Maundy" derives from Latin, mandatum novum, the first sung response of the traditional ceremony for the washing of the feet. (See John 13.) The Christian church observes Maundy Thursday as the commemoration of the sacrament of Holy Communion and, in some traditions, the footwashing.Another place claimed the word came from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.The observance is one of Christianity's oldest celebrations, dating back to the first century church. In the 12th century, the English Church initiated a custom of distributing money to older adults who had performed outstanding service to the crown. Known as "Maundy Money," these specially minted coins are … [Read more...]
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month or should I say Women’s Her-story Month. The Tuesday and Friday posts this month will feature women who lead lives that could serve as models for us in our Christian walk. It was difficult to narrow the list for the few dates in March but I did try to find some women you may not know very well and women writers. Enjoy!Mother Teresa – my final post for Women’s History Month. This well-known inspirational woman lived a life of sacrifice, prayer, service and love. A woman, many of us watched on television and read about while she was alive – makes growing a heart of God and following him sound possible when we have a “real” model, doesn’t it?Born in Albania, she felt strongly the call of God at the age of twelve. She knew she had to be a missionary to spread the love of Christ. At the age of eighteen she left her parental home in Skopje and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India.Hearing God once again in 1946, … [Read more...]