Tonight I opened up a coloring book from college. It was given to me by my mother in a college care packet. Inside the middle of the book was a note. My mother had written words of love, care, and encouragement and, "take time to relax, eat right and nurture yourself. Listen to your inner voice."
Years later these words of encouragement, care, and good advice, still have meaning in my life. These days I have been trying to discern how to honor my voice, eat right, find time to relax, and nurture myself. It was a wonderful surprise to find these words years after college, words that still speak to my life.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Pray without Ceasing
At many points in my life I have heard Paul's phrase, "pray without ceasing," and I begin to worry. Can I really pray without ceasing? Do my hands have to be folded together all the time? How in the world will I see where I am going with my eyes closed in deep meditative prayer all the time?
Today I had a conversation with my spiritual director about prayer. I sat down and she asked her usual question, what's been going on? I shared with her that yesterday I created two paintings. As I prepared to paint with Japanese Ink, I made a cup of tea and lit a candle. I told her I have been lighting candles daily this Lenten season. I walk into a room, grab a lighter, and ignite a wick. The light has offered me nuggets of calm and peace in my day. And when I see the flame dance on the wick, I have small moments of delight. She suggested that the light of the candle is an extension of the light, spirit living within me.
As I continued to share with her about my prayer life I lamented that I am not praying as often as I hoped in this time of lent. She paused and said, "what about those candles you have been lighting or those painting you made? Those are expressions of the presence of God deep within you." I realized that although intentional moments of prayer are needed (weekend retreats, prayer with other people, etc) the acts of my life are indeed acts of prayer and I am already doing it!
Indeed, spirit, life, God's presence is already deep in our daily actions. Perhaps, praying without ceasing means something a bit different than I had originally thought...
Today I had a conversation with my spiritual director about prayer. I sat down and she asked her usual question, what's been going on? I shared with her that yesterday I created two paintings. As I prepared to paint with Japanese Ink, I made a cup of tea and lit a candle. I told her I have been lighting candles daily this Lenten season. I walk into a room, grab a lighter, and ignite a wick. The light has offered me nuggets of calm and peace in my day. And when I see the flame dance on the wick, I have small moments of delight. She suggested that the light of the candle is an extension of the light, spirit living within me.
As I continued to share with her about my prayer life I lamented that I am not praying as often as I hoped in this time of lent. She paused and said, "what about those candles you have been lighting or those painting you made? Those are expressions of the presence of God deep within you." I realized that although intentional moments of prayer are needed (weekend retreats, prayer with other people, etc) the acts of my life are indeed acts of prayer and I am already doing it!
Indeed, spirit, life, God's presence is already deep in our daily actions. Perhaps, praying without ceasing means something a bit different than I had originally thought...
Monday, March 2, 2009
Meeting Jesus
Last week we began the journey into the Lenten season. Over the past few days I have been thinking about the life of Jesus and what it means for me follow. In the midst of my contemplative reflection a friend came to visit.
We traveled St. Louis for two and a half days exploring different parts of the city. At one of our vacation locations, we met Tom and Julie. They shared their food (extra-ordinary potato chips). Then Tom shared some wisdom with us. He reminded us that life is short and it is best to really nurture those specials relationship in your life. He said there will be only a hand full of people who will be with you throughout your life, so treasure those relationships and tend to them. He proceeded to instruct us to cherish mother, father God. Julie tried to encourage her husband to be quiet, but eventually shared her wisdom too. She shared about nurturing a relationship with an old college roommate. They had remained friends for over thirty years. It was a profound moment for both my friend and I. As we left, we both felt like we had met Jesus.
I suspect that's the thing about meeting Jesus. In the sharing of food and conversation, Jesus shows up in unexpected places and around unexpected tables. May our hearts always be open to warmth that we might find from a stranger (especially those who possess an abundance of wisdom and yummy potato chips).
We traveled St. Louis for two and a half days exploring different parts of the city. At one of our vacation locations, we met Tom and Julie. They shared their food (extra-ordinary potato chips). Then Tom shared some wisdom with us. He reminded us that life is short and it is best to really nurture those specials relationship in your life. He said there will be only a hand full of people who will be with you throughout your life, so treasure those relationships and tend to them. He proceeded to instruct us to cherish mother, father God. Julie tried to encourage her husband to be quiet, but eventually shared her wisdom too. She shared about nurturing a relationship with an old college roommate. They had remained friends for over thirty years. It was a profound moment for both my friend and I. As we left, we both felt like we had met Jesus.
I suspect that's the thing about meeting Jesus. In the sharing of food and conversation, Jesus shows up in unexpected places and around unexpected tables. May our hearts always be open to warmth that we might find from a stranger (especially those who possess an abundance of wisdom and yummy potato chips).
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