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...]
What Are You Reading? Fiction? Nonfiction? Both?
What are you reading right now? I am normally a nonfiction reader so this will surprise those of you who know me – I actually read and finished a fiction book this past week. I also enjoy several nonfiction ones in my improved practice of making the time for self-care in reading. This was one of my goals for 2020. The spiritual practice of reading feeds the mind and the heart. New ideas stretch our imagination and shape our faith. I love opening my eyes to see the world in new ways, in God's way. What am I reading? The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson. This is the fiction book I mentioned above. I did enjoy the story and couldn't put it down once I get started. Based on historical facts about in the 1930s in Kentucky where women rode mules or horses to deliver books and reading material into the hills of Appalachia – of course, anything doing with books appealed to me. The main character is a traveling librarian, part of … [Read more...]
It’s Time for a Silent Retreat
Attending a silent retreat is a primary spiritual practice of mine. I hesitated when going for the first time in 2004 and was filled with fear and anxiety. Four days of not speaking???? What would I do? The void threatened my soul. I felt vulnerable, almost naked without the cushion of noise and the comfort of busyness to protect my ego. But not only did I survive, but I also heard God in newer and deeper ways. As I kept track of my journey in my journals each time, God gently unfolded my heart in a fresh way and touched me with his healing love. One year I skipped this practice and as that year progressed, I felt restless, uncertain and longed for time – silent time – alone with our Creator. I have never missed an annual retreat since then and make scheduling one a priority every year. I leave this coming Thursday through Sunday for my next retreat at a retreat center about an hour from my home. I haven't been to this center in quite a while so I am looking … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in February
February Monthly Musings Finally, the longest month of the year is over. I know, I know February is the shortest and this year we even added another day to its calendar. But the dreary winter in NW Ohio drags time and depletes my energy. We did have one day of sunny 55 degrees that I immediately felt my spirit surge with energy. Spring is coming. I do have hope. Once to March, the pace races to keep up with the lengthening of the daylight. I am learning to behold the blessings of each season and am thankful for its gifts. Yet my core yearns for the wakening of the earth and my spirit rising. Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musings Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal, or … [Read more...]
What’s Today? Shrove Tuesday!
Today is Shrove Tuesday. I didn't know much about this special day until a few years ago and now include its celebration as part of my yearly practice of entering into the season of Lent. What is Shrove Tuesday? Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten Season. I am sure most of you have heard of New Orleans grand party – Mardi Gras – that is celebrated on the same day. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called “Shrovetide,” the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for “Carnival,” which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning “to take away the flesh.” Does sound like Mardi Gras, doesn't it? While this was seen as the last chance for merriment, and unfortunately in some places resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent. Actually, the English term provides the … [Read more...]
How to Enter into Sacred Space
How do you enter into sacred space? Barge right in? Loudly bang on the door, demanding your right to cross the threshold? Abruptly sit down, run down your list of prayers, then check this action off your to-do list? Sounds horrible, doesn't it? Not very honorable of God. Yet lately I have become aware of my first moments as I move into my time with God. Rushed. Pressured. Too much hustle and not enough holy. This year I am exploring and pondering sacred space – internal and external. You can read about my theme for the year here. What I Learned During my Online Retreat I experienced God in a new way a few weeks ago when I participated in Becky Eldredge's Busy Person's Online Retreat. I spent longer morning time in prayer, Bible reading, and journaling and finished each afternoon on Zoom with a spiritual director. One of the best lessons I learned was how I entered into sacred space of prayer and journaling impacted how I heard God and felt his … [Read more...]