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...]
Letting Go – A Spiritual Practice for Lent
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26 this year of 2020. Each year I listen for a theme for these holy 40 days before Easter and pray I lean into Lent with openness and obedience. Letting go is a practice calling to me this year. Letting go creates space for God, for my own spirit, for others to enter in. This follows well my theme and word for the year. Letting go is a path of subtraction, not addition. Letting go of what draws me away from God instead of closer to the Lord. Of holding my palms upward, holding all things lightly and given to God to do as he wills. Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, advocated making a regular practice of letting go: "To sum up, dear friend of Mine, unclench your fists, and let everything fly out of your hands. Clean yourself up nicely and stay faithful to your Creator." During Lent this year, I plan to listen. I hope to list all and any attachments that sidetrack me from keeping my eyes always on the … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in January
January Monthly Musings In January we entered a new decade. I wrote about my yearly and decade review on this post and drew many comments and emails about this process. My Bishop prays and names each decade of his life with a theme; growth, prayer, study, etc. Since writing about my decade review and lessons, I have read what others have written too: Why You Should Plan your Life on a Decade Leve Guidelines for navigating the new decade ahead 11 Questions to help you set meaning goals for the next decade. I guess my work continues on this adventure towards 2030. I do find the spiritual practices of listening and reflection to be powerful. That is why I share these monthly musings on a regular basis. 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 … [Read more...]
20/20 Vision for 2020
20/20 vision? Don't you love the play on this year's name? Churches, organizations, and even individuals are exploring and updating their vision and thoughtful sense of direction as we step into the new decade. Two stories to consider as we look forward to where God may be leading us on our spiritual journey. Story Number One about Vision I was a chubby sixth-grader when the school nurse sent home a note saying I failed the routine eye exam. Already not very attractive and bullied for my appearance, I dreaded having to add glasses to my round face. My sight was no way near 20/20 vision. I was not a happy gal. Mom took me to the eye doctor and yes, the nurse was correct – I needed glasses. Remember those old-style frames with the flared upper outside edges. Ugly! About two weeks later we picked up the new glasses and I slouched in the backseat of the car as we drove home. I lowered my head, trying to hide, fearful what others would say. … [Read more...]
What is Sacred Space? My Word of the Year
What is sacred space? You may at first think of a physical space such as a grand cathedral oozing with the presence of God or the delight of gazing upward amidst stately Redwoods. The awareness of sacred space may arise when watching meteors race across the sky or pausing to breathe in the colors of an amazing sunrise or sunset. God is quite the artist! Sometimes my prayer chair next to my home altar creates a sacred space for me. My word for 2020 is sacred space. Ok, that is two words, but I think both of needed. At least longed for deep within my spirit. Sacred Space Holy ground is all around when we see the sacred in both our physical and spiritual geographies. This year I want to intentionally practice noticing and honoring the sacred everywhere: In my ordinary flat territory (boring? bleak?) of northwest Ohio. Listen to the land where God has planted each of us for this season of life.In the space between others and myself as we share life, … [Read more...]