Ever hear of Kairos time? I heard this term used in a new way a couple of weeks ago so began to explore its history and meaning. I am starting to use two ways to look upon this strange uncertain time we are living in and am finding hope and growth in these moments. The word Kairos comes from ancient Greek and means right, critical or opportune moment. The ancient Greeks saw time in two formats: Chronos meaning chronological time (and the way we usually view time in our culture as in minutes and seconds) and Kairos or appointed moment or due season. We ask in Chronos time: What time is it? But the question: what is this time for? carries the meaning of Kairos. What is the significance of this time? Chronos is quantity; Kairos is quality. Chronos is man's way of arranging time, to organize, and attempt to control. Kairos is God's time – in his hands, creative, loving, inviting and shaping. This time we are living in right now – in a time of pandemic and upheaval - … [Read more...]
Who is winning? Fear or Anticipation?
Who is winning? Fear or anticipation? I have wrestled with both of these emotions while in the present strange and uneasy moments of history we are living in. My head and heart push the panic button easily in this environment spinning out of control on the roller coaster of dealing with so many unknowns, the cancellation of multiple long-awaited life events, and the likelihood of more interruptions looming in the near future. Uncertainty amplifies fear. Fear saps the joy and energy from anticipation. So much of this pandemic has been dealing with naming and tackling various emotions and with God's help, growing stronger and wiser with each lesson. Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them. Lucy Maud Montgomery I am battling with fear trying to win over the anticipation of good things to come. This morning I realized the struggle was not fear or anticipation, but the solution was fear and anticipation. Not either/or, but both/and. In … [Read more...]
Mentor Texts
Ever hear of mentor texts? I hadn't until recently though I have learned the term has been used for quite a while in English classes. Obviously, I haven't been as student for a while. Ha! I love when a word or phrase rings in your heart, then you see and hear it everywhere. Mentor texts popped up all over and as it turned out, I have been doing this practice and never realized it. What is a Mentor Text? A mentor text is a book that a teacher or student reads and rereads many times. A writer collects certain forms of writing that resonates with their style and slowly finds their own voice in writing using mentor texts as models. A reader mirrors their mentor until they find their true self in that reflection. I copy a certain response, thought, behavior that best illustrates how I deeply want to live and write. I study phrases, primary practices, and words that the mentor exhales and I inhale their wisdom to merge with my unique DNA. As a writer, new … [Read more...]
Lamenting in this Time of Grief
Lamenting. This is a word we don't use much anymore but it is a spiritual practice that arises in a time of grief. Right now, I am overwhelming with loss, sadness, and to be honest, heartache. I am lamenting. I am a number three on the Enneagram so I have much difficulty in naming my emotions. I want to keep up my image of an optimist, in charge Christian. I hold onto the smiling mask to my face so you don't see my weakness. I don't want to bother you with my burdens. But today I will confess I am lamenting. I am grieving. I am crushed with the weight of discouragement and depression. I am not going to list here all the upheaval that I am sure all of us have faced the past few months. You know them. On top of our collective experience, each of us also feels raw from personal disappointments, difficult decisions, and unknown discernment of our next steps. We didn't choose or desire these troubling times. Not your normal hope and uplifting inspiration you usually find here at … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Being Curious
Are you curious? Periodically I reread my journal entries and this morning read this line from my yearly goals written on January 2, 2020: "I am curious and creative – this gives me a sense of hope, excitement, and energy. I want to expand my imagination, resist mindless busyness and unproductive procrastination and live being curious, not furious." Just think – these words were written pre-pandemic. We didn't know the word Covid 19. "Shelter-in-place" was an activity in my old health department job. Social distancing sounded wonderful to introverts. Kids were in school with plans for graduation and prom. My hubby and I planned some wonderful and huge vacations in the spring and summer. We had no idea what was coming. One goal I have been working on so far in 2020 is reading more and one topic I been digging into is creativity. Yes, that was part of my ambition last January but I was missing a characteristic too. What happen to be being more curious? Yet during this … [Read more...]
Pondering Puzzles in the Pandemic
Puzzles are not normally a hobby, a pastime for me. Nor for my hubby. Yet during this strange time of pandemic we have rediscovered jigsaw puzzles. Mostly we have worked together on the dining room table 1000 piece puzzles. And I know I am not the only one. Puzzles disappeared like toilet paper from the store shelves in April. I knew my sister-in-law had some but didn't realize she had a full closet full of them. Amazing selection and man, have we been having fun piecing together puzzles. Pondering this process of puzzles has also revealed some spiritual insights. Keeping the box nearby to study and recheck guides our way. Seeing the final product on the top of the box gives us clues and keeps us encouraged. Time with God and studying his word works that way too. Too often all we see is the fragments of life. God the Artist, knows the final masterpiece and how beautiful it will be.We often start with the outside frame to get a sense of where we are heading. Having a … [Read more...]
Pentecost – Quotes to Ponder
Pentecost Sunday is May 31. And you thought that was only Memorial weekend. Ha! But the joke is on me. My internal sense of calendar and time are so warped in this pandemic as I wrote this post I didn't realize Memorial Day arrives May 25! I have certainly lost track of the days and dates in this strange time of Covid 19. Is it the same for you? But I digress...back to Pentecost. In 2010 I wrote a blog post about Pentecost and thought I would update that info and offer new quotes for you to ponder. What is Pentecost? Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. It marks the birth of the Christian church and means “fiftieth day,” as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter. Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts to the faith on … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Knowing, Speaking, and Sharing our Faith Stories
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...]