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Share Four Somethings – August 2022

August 16, 2022 By Jean Wise

Share Four Somethings

Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories. 

I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey. With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way. 

I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and to see what they will teach me this year.

Something Wise

Something Wonderful

Something Whispered

Something Whimsical

Each one reminds me to pay attention to these qualities in my life as gifts from God. I am learning that whimsical is the hardest one for me to capture and one that need the most coaxing to appear.  This was true again this month.

Something Wise

Prayer is not asking for what you think you want but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine.

Kathleen Norris

Prayer can be moments of letting go and leaping into trusting God. I am slowly learning not to keep chatting away, yakking AT God instead of conversing WITH God. I have been thinking, praying, and studying about deepened trust in our Creator. I like control. I like my independence. I like to plan or organize and have things on schedule. Yet in  reality  it is not my show; it’s God’s and I am so blessed to be a part of his creation.  I love how Kathleen Norris uses the word imagine in this quote. God knows and will change me/us beyond our imagination. Trust God.

Something Wonderful

In July Bill and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. No, I don’t feel that old but yep, that is the truth.

Actually we began to observe this milestone back in March 2021 commemorating our first date and decided to enjoy 2021-2022 with special trips and fellowship with family and friends. We have been so blessed to be able to travel and savor the moments of being with others and with each other.

The kids organized an evening BBQ  in July and all the family was there and lots of photos were taken. They surprised us by inviting key friends across our lifespan and I was overwhelmed by love. The priceless memory of watching all the grandkids playing, laughing, and interacting together. Of watching my adult kids smile with each other and share their updates.  Seeing friends from different points of life get to know each other in a common bond of friendship.

Moments never to forget. Ones to savor and hold onto forever.   I am so grateful, Lord. Thank you.

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Something Whispered

“Life is a gift. Each one of us is unique, known by name, and loved by the One who fashioned us. Unfortunately, there is a very loud, consistent, and powerful message coming to us from our world that leads us to believe that we must prove our belovedness by how we look, by what we have, and by what we can accomplish. We become preoccupied with “making it” in this life, and we are very slow to grasp the liberating truth of our origins and our finality. We need to hear the message announced and the message emboldened over and over again. Only then do we find the courage to claim it and live from it.”

Henri Nouwen

I am. You are.  We all are beloved children of God.

Something Whimsical

Our church’s youth group conducted a fundraiser this summer where you paid to have someone’s yard “flocked” with flamingos. What a neat fun joy and surprise on the morning of our anniversary to be visited by these pink friends. By the way people had so much fun doing this to their family and friends that the youth group extended the project a few more weeks and brought in double the money they anticipated. All through joy-filled fun!

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There were even more flamingos not shown in this photo covering our yard!

I sometimes forget
that I was created for Joy.
My mind is too busy.
My Heart is too heavy
for me to remember
that I have been
called to dance
the Sacred dance of life.
I was created to smile
To Love
To be lifted up
And to lift others up.
O Sacred One
Untangle my feet
from all that ensnares.
Free my soul.
That we might
Dance
and that our dancing
might be contagious.
~Hafiz

What is something dancing in your spirit this past month?

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Filed Under: spiritual lessons, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankLinda Stoll says

    August 24, 2022 at 7:23 am

    You know how I love your 4 Somethings categories, Jean!

    • blankJeanWise says

      August 25, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks Linda. They are fun to write too and ground me in ways beyond words!

  2. blankLisa notes says

    August 20, 2022 at 8:50 pm

    Kathleen Norris’s take on prayer is spot-on. A little scary to do! But accurate. 🙂

    Happy 50th Anniversary! That’s amazing. May you have many more years together!

    • blankJeanWise says

      August 21, 2022 at 11:31 am

      Thanks for the anniversary wishes. And you are so right about some trepidation re that prayer!

  3. blankNancy Ruegg says

    August 16, 2022 at 5:18 pm

    Happy anniversary again! How wonderful that the whole family–plus friends–could gather to celebrate the two of you. Glad they took lots of pics, to enjoy the memories again and again. We passed the 50th anniversary mark in 2020, and couldn’t agree more: I don’t feel that old! So I’m praising God for good health and energy that defies the years. / Thank you for sharing that poem by Hafiz. To love and lift others up is a joyful way to live! Sometimes I forget as he did.

    • blankJeanWise says

      August 21, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Thanks, Nancy! Yes let’s keep praising God for all our blessings!

  4. blankMartha J Orlando says

    August 16, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    If you visit the blog I posted today, Jean, you will instantly realize how your words here are so very encouraging and uplifting to me! I so need to remember that I was made to smile, to dance and to lift others us as they lift me. So simple, so necessary to living a full life.
    Loved the flamingos and the great photos of your family – handsome kids and grands!
    Blessings!

    • blankJeanWise says

      August 21, 2022 at 11:33 am

      so glad my words encouraged you. You know as a blogger sometimes you wonder…

  5. blankPat says

    August 16, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    Plague was dancing in my body this past month…also depression..but more importantly, God keeps doin His tap dance in my heart…and my daily pilgrimage continues…
    Thank you Jean…Peace of the Lord be with you..

    • blankJeanWise says

      August 21, 2022 at 11:34 am

      I am so sorry you had a rough month, Pat. Extra prayers heading your way!

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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