"I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word."
Psalm 130:5
Last night as I drifted off to sleep, I thought about the times during the day I felt God's presence. I came up with quite a list! (I could have come up with more, but the Divine gift of sleep took over). There was the work situation I wasn't handling well until a better solution just popped into my head. There was the weather-related change-of-plans that worked out so beautifully--the met the nicest couple! There was community, laughter and fun at my dance class. And, there was a lovely time of peacefulness just playing the guitar and singing to my dogs. In each of those times, I can see God's footprints in my day. The moral of the story is this: If you invite God into your day, God comes. Love, heidi
Friday, March 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Move on!
"The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves."
Henri Nouwen, "Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith"
Such a wise statement! We can churn ourselves into butter in anger and bitterness and for what? The person we are angry with may have no awareness that we are even offended! What a waste of energy! Forgiving others frees us up to move on with our lives and not waste precious time plotting revenge or robbing ourselves of joy. It's Lent. Time to move on. Love, heidi
Henri Nouwen, "Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith"
Such a wise statement! We can churn ourselves into butter in anger and bitterness and for what? The person we are angry with may have no awareness that we are even offended! What a waste of energy! Forgiving others frees us up to move on with our lives and not waste precious time plotting revenge or robbing ourselves of joy. It's Lent. Time to move on. Love, heidi
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
We are fam-i-ly
"If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."
Matthew 6:14-15
If Jesus could have sky-written this across the middle-eastern sky he would have done so...such an important lesson, this. It can be so contrary to our usual human tendency the people of Jesus' day were shocked, and often dismayed, to hear it. This, along with, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) are perhaps the hardest lessons we have to learn from Jesus. But, learn them, we must. Lent is a good time to reflect on who we need to forgive and who we need to ask for forgivenss. We, all human persons, are family, in God. Love, heidi
Matthew 6:14-15
If Jesus could have sky-written this across the middle-eastern sky he would have done so...such an important lesson, this. It can be so contrary to our usual human tendency the people of Jesus' day were shocked, and often dismayed, to hear it. This, along with, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) are perhaps the hardest lessons we have to learn from Jesus. But, learn them, we must. Lent is a good time to reflect on who we need to forgive and who we need to ask for forgivenss. We, all human persons, are family, in God. Love, heidi
Monday, February 27, 2012
Love your neighbor!
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart...Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Leviticus 19:17, 18
As it happens, having gone to mass Saturday evening, I spent yesterday completely on my own. I didn't talk to anyone except the cashier at Winco and my dogs. (By the way, I cherish days like this!) In reflecting on the day last night, I realized I felt better about my behavior. I wasn't around others, therefore, I was able to keep from gossiping, judging, bothering and I, briefly, cherished no grudge against my fellow countrymen. But, that is not a practical solution! Removing yourself from the world can be refreshing and wonderful, as I discovered on my silent retreat, but, eventually, you must return to the world, suck it up, and try harder to behave yourself! This first, full week of Lent, let's really try to love our neighbors...especially when we are amongst them! Love, heidi
Leviticus 19:17, 18
As it happens, having gone to mass Saturday evening, I spent yesterday completely on my own. I didn't talk to anyone except the cashier at Winco and my dogs. (By the way, I cherish days like this!) In reflecting on the day last night, I realized I felt better about my behavior. I wasn't around others, therefore, I was able to keep from gossiping, judging, bothering and I, briefly, cherished no grudge against my fellow countrymen. But, that is not a practical solution! Removing yourself from the world can be refreshing and wonderful, as I discovered on my silent retreat, but, eventually, you must return to the world, suck it up, and try harder to behave yourself! This first, full week of Lent, let's really try to love our neighbors...especially when we are amongst them! Love, heidi
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