Christmas feels very different as an adult. I remember as a child the excitement and wonder I used to feel as Christmas drew closer and closer. As an adult, my energy of wonder and excitement have been redirected to other tasks. I am told having children brings some of those feelings back. As I am a few years away from having children, I keep trying other ways to find that special feeling.
This past Sunday that feeling, that wonder, came in four different ways. I experienced my first Triptych service at WGCC. A Triptych is a piece of artwork with three door accentuating the center panel. For several years WGCC has invited characters to come and be the still life pieces of the picture of the shepherds, angels, and wise people gathered to see Jesus'. So, this past Sunday morning, I got to see Jesus as played by infant Sydney Woodrome. Right before the doors opened to reveal the holy family, I heard loud crying sounds. But as the doors opened, I saw a majestic infant playing the part of the peaceful, quiet, Jesus child. It was beautiful.
After the service Brent and I were invited to share a meal at some church members' home. Following the meal, our host read us a story about Santa Claus (this was for the children, but I wanted to hear the story too). The story was about a Santa who visits sick children during the year brings them medical supplies, helps build wells, and works to save the environment. This is a Santa I can support. As the story ended Santa paid us a visit. We gave Santa the medical supplies we had collected to take to our Global Mission Partners in Haiti. It was one of my favorite moments with Santa.
I had one more event on Sunday, a Christmas party with the Youth Group. We met in fellowship hall and shared food that we had all made for one another. Then we watched Charlie Brown's Christmas. Charlie Brown always helps remind me what it is all about this time of year. In the past, the youth group has brought small gifts to give one another. This year one of our sponsors suggested we bring that one or two dollars to the group and pool our money to buy a flock of chicks (a $20 invest) from Heifer International. Heifer is working to eliminate hunger and poverty by providing families live stock so they can become self sustaining. After our party I counted the money we had collected. We had enough money to buy seven flocks of chicks. It was such a wonderful gift.
In celebrating an infant child during Advent, we know God's love in the world. Love has the power to permeate our lives and make us give generous of ourselves to one another. As I reflect upon that day in this advent season, I realize the four pieces of my day were deeply connected. All the wonder and excitement of Christmas rushed into my life because of the infant child, Santa Claus, Charlie Brown, and a few flocks of chicks.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Watch and Wait
In a season that invites us to give of our time, our talent, our food, and our resources, it is vastly important to give food, talent, resources, and time for ourselves! Today I was reminded of the value of making time for ourselves.
Snow lightly covered the ground last night. So, this morning I planned a little extra time for travel to my first appointment. As I came to the second stop light on my journey I noticed traffic was abnormally heavy. After a few rounds of the traffic light, I noticed the left arrow had been skipped time and time again. So, I sat at the light, waiting. Inside I wanted to scream, but I quickly realized there was nothing I could do. So instead of getting angry I tried my best to be patient and the light did change, eventually. I even reflected for a moment on all this waiting we do for the Christ child to come again into our lives.
As I continued on my journey, I hit more traffic. I called my spiritual director, the place I was headed, to let her know that I was running late. Soon after I called I realized traffic had stopped moving again. There was a train. I sat in my car calmly and peacefully eagerly awaiting to get to my appointment.
Later today I made a trip to the post office. There was one person working the post office counter. So I grabbed a ticket and waited. As I left the post office in a good mood, I realized this day could have gone south in a hurry. But, I had taken a moment for me and for my spirituality today and that gave me peace. As I watched and waited today, normally I would have wanted to rush the traffic along or to have gotten through the line much quicker. But today, on a day that I made intentional time for me and my spiritual well-being, I was calm.
I pray you find time for yourself and your spiritual selves this advent season. May you be filled with unexpected moments of peace and calm in the midst of all your waiting.
Snow lightly covered the ground last night. So, this morning I planned a little extra time for travel to my first appointment. As I came to the second stop light on my journey I noticed traffic was abnormally heavy. After a few rounds of the traffic light, I noticed the left arrow had been skipped time and time again. So, I sat at the light, waiting. Inside I wanted to scream, but I quickly realized there was nothing I could do. So instead of getting angry I tried my best to be patient and the light did change, eventually. I even reflected for a moment on all this waiting we do for the Christ child to come again into our lives.
As I continued on my journey, I hit more traffic. I called my spiritual director, the place I was headed, to let her know that I was running late. Soon after I called I realized traffic had stopped moving again. There was a train. I sat in my car calmly and peacefully eagerly awaiting to get to my appointment.
Later today I made a trip to the post office. There was one person working the post office counter. So I grabbed a ticket and waited. As I left the post office in a good mood, I realized this day could have gone south in a hurry. But, I had taken a moment for me and for my spirituality today and that gave me peace. As I watched and waited today, normally I would have wanted to rush the traffic along or to have gotten through the line much quicker. But today, on a day that I made intentional time for me and my spiritual well-being, I was calm.
I pray you find time for yourself and your spiritual selves this advent season. May you be filled with unexpected moments of peace and calm in the midst of all your waiting.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The wonder of the season
Last week I had the opportunity to see old home movies and photographs. Most people cringe at the thought of watching past moments. I found myself a bit like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation minus being trapped in an attic. My eyes watered and my heart filled with joy.
The videos and pictures ranged from my childhood to my dad's childhood. There were several pictures of my mother and father as a young married couple. During one of the slideshows on the projector a picture of my Aunt Bessie flashed on the scene. Aunt Bessie lived to be 101 years-old. She was sharp, witty, and tough. When the picture came up my dad yelled to mom, "Come check out this picture." When my mom saw the pictures she kissed her fingers and reached her hand up to the screen and said, "Hi, Aunt Bessie. I miss you."
I was moved by her action. Her simple gesture displayed her love and care for this member of our family. As I reflect on this moment I am struck by how the memories of Aunt Bessie flood into my mind. I miss her most at Halloween, but all throughout the holiday season.
The season of the holidays can be quite wondrous. Pictures and stories have the power to flood our minds. Memories of loved ones fill our hearts. May your advent season be filled with wonder and memories of loved ones past and present.
The videos and pictures ranged from my childhood to my dad's childhood. There were several pictures of my mother and father as a young married couple. During one of the slideshows on the projector a picture of my Aunt Bessie flashed on the scene. Aunt Bessie lived to be 101 years-old. She was sharp, witty, and tough. When the picture came up my dad yelled to mom, "Come check out this picture." When my mom saw the pictures she kissed her fingers and reached her hand up to the screen and said, "Hi, Aunt Bessie. I miss you."
I was moved by her action. Her simple gesture displayed her love and care for this member of our family. As I reflect on this moment I am struck by how the memories of Aunt Bessie flood into my mind. I miss her most at Halloween, but all throughout the holiday season.
The season of the holidays can be quite wondrous. Pictures and stories have the power to flood our minds. Memories of loved ones fill our hearts. May your advent season be filled with wonder and memories of loved ones past and present.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Post-Election Reflections
Over the past week I attended two ordination services. It was wonderful to gather with friends and family to celebrate the life and ministry of my colleagues and friends. While sharing a meal before one of the services I had a holy post election moment.
On the eve before the election I wondered what things might look like on the other side of the election and in Nebraska while preparing for an ordination service I witnessed more history. A 92 year-old Caucasian Republican man from Nebraska invited an African American Homosexual Democrat woman from St. Louis to join him in singing. Both individuals were passionate singers. Separately each of them could ‘bring it’, but their voices united singing Amazing Grace gave me chills. I had the urge to record the moment and send it to President-elect Obama. The 15-20 people gathered in the room all ceased conversation the moment they began singing, because we all knew we were on holy ground. Labels ceased to matter. For a moment things seemed less complicated. It was simple, we were humanity gathered to celebrate and share life.
Life is not without complications, but every once and a while it is good to experience the beautiful diversity of humanity living in peace.
On the eve before the election I wondered what things might look like on the other side of the election and in Nebraska while preparing for an ordination service I witnessed more history. A 92 year-old Caucasian Republican man from Nebraska invited an African American Homosexual Democrat woman from St. Louis to join him in singing. Both individuals were passionate singers. Separately each of them could ‘bring it’, but their voices united singing Amazing Grace gave me chills. I had the urge to record the moment and send it to President-elect Obama. The 15-20 people gathered in the room all ceased conversation the moment they began singing, because we all knew we were on holy ground. Labels ceased to matter. For a moment things seemed less complicated. It was simple, we were humanity gathered to celebrate and share life.
Life is not without complications, but every once and a while it is good to experience the beautiful diversity of humanity living in peace.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Election Eve
On election eve I find myself quite anxious. Some of my anxiety stems from my concern over who will be our next president, but a vast majority of my concern stems from my ponderings about how we as a national community will respond to the vote. We face some huge challenges and we need a way forward. Somehow we must come together and meet the challenges together. Will we unite and progress together whatever the outcome may be?
Last week I finished the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I found many insights and challenges for life in this tale. But, one stands out thinking about Wednesday morning. One of the characters August, says, life is more than loving folks, life is about persisting in love. On Wednesday and each morning after, we will have opportunity after opportunity to persist in love. This persistence just may be a way for us to face the challenges present in our midst and the challenges that await us.
It may mean that I have to love my neighbor who voted for ______________. But, loving that neighbor and working together for our schools, our healthcare, our economy, just may be the only way.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! I hope this space can be a place for our community to share insights about our spiritual lives and journey together. Often in life I feel like my spiritual insights are the ramblings of my heart. This blog is intended to be a place to share those insights without need for perfect spelling and grammar, but a place for authentic experiences of the heart. I look forward to sharing those ramblings!
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