Lectio Divina – a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”
Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.
Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.
Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary.
Come into the presence of the Lord.
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126: 3-5 (NIV)
Sowing in tears
Yes Lord that is how I feel this week. numerous tears pouring out, spilling onto work that needs to be done. I have sown in tears.
One child’s dreams comes crashing down.
Another child struggles with a friend’s questionable decisions.
A good friend dies unexpectedly.
My head pounds with overcommitment as deadlines, not You, rule my life.
Sow is a word we don’t use much anymore. Sow – to grow, to scatter, to germinate.
Tears, usually associated with grief, loss, and sadness when combined with the work of sowing leads to a harvest of joy. This is your promise. I take one step at a time – one day at a time -under the watchful eyes of the heavenly Gardener. As I cry, I work. I breath. I live.
Even through the tears, I keep my eyes on the Lord – who I know has done great things for me and does fill my heart with joy.
When dreams shatter, expectations plummet and losses accumulate, I cling to You – the one who knows exactly how to heal my broken heart and cultivate joy in my life.
In my tears, I find Your strength. Through my tears, I find You.
Thank you, kind friends
Aww, Jeanie, that moved me, ’cause I could feel your emotions. Yes, God will use the tears to bring a harvest. Love ya.
Jeanie, you and your family are lifted up in prayer. Love you.
Jeanie, How strong this writing is!!! It touches the heart of the reader. thank you for sharing your tears with us. Love to you Clella