"We seldom realize fully that we are sent to fulfill God-given tasks. We act as if we have to choose how, where, and with whom to live. We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide how to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will know what we were sent to do."
Henri Nouwen, "Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith"
That struck me as so incredibly wise this morning! I can look back in my life and see that decisions made were guided by God. At every turn, God was guiding my steps! So, I can look back with no regrets whatsoever, and only see the grace. Friends, I will be traveling to Bozeman, this weekend, for the Sisters of Charity regional Wisdom Gathering. The theme is Transformation--surely to be a wonderful time! Blessings on your weekend...remember Stations of the Cross tonight. Love, heidi
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Quit your diggin'!
"While we are busy with many things, we wonder if what we do makes any real difference."
Henri Nouwen, "Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life"
So, I've been told my dog, Tebow, digs holes in the backyard because he is bored. He doesn't have a job or a girlfriend or a bowling team, so he is bored and, thus, digs. We humans, just like our canine friends, need meaningful activity in our lives. This is where I feel I have been enormously blessed! I have the most wonderful job, where I meet wonderful people and, more often than not, I can help them. Very often, I have the opportunity to make a real difference, like Henri Nouwen says here. Sometimes, I don't appreciate it enough and surely, there are some days I rather be doing something else. But I chose this vocation (or God chose it for me) and I am gifted every day with the people I meet and the work I am blessed to do. Let's thank God today for the work we do. Let's realize that, no matter what our profession, God can work through our efforts and good can come of what we do. Let's not waste time digging holes in the yard, just because we are bored! Love, heidi
Henri Nouwen, "Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life"
So, I've been told my dog, Tebow, digs holes in the backyard because he is bored. He doesn't have a job or a girlfriend or a bowling team, so he is bored and, thus, digs. We humans, just like our canine friends, need meaningful activity in our lives. This is where I feel I have been enormously blessed! I have the most wonderful job, where I meet wonderful people and, more often than not, I can help them. Very often, I have the opportunity to make a real difference, like Henri Nouwen says here. Sometimes, I don't appreciate it enough and surely, there are some days I rather be doing something else. But I chose this vocation (or God chose it for me) and I am gifted every day with the people I meet and the work I am blessed to do. Let's thank God today for the work we do. Let's realize that, no matter what our profession, God can work through our efforts and good can come of what we do. Let's not waste time digging holes in the yard, just because we are bored! Love, heidi
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Every single soul...
"Ultimately, because we are all created in the image and likeness of God, every single soul on earth is deserving of our respect and consideration."
The Word Among Us
I really need to remember this when I'm driving behind someone with a terribly disparaging bumper sticker! I've seen some that just make me shudder, but, yesterday, I saw someone who didn't just have a ridiculing, horrible bumper sticker, he had painted the whole back of his truck to reflect his heinous message. As I sat behind him at a traffic light my anger bubbled up. It was so hard for me to think of this individual as a child of God...someone lovingly created in the image and likeness of God. But that is the message I am receiving today. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. Period. When I see something that offends me so, I need to pray for the person and try to see them as God sees them. It's not up to me to judge them. And, as God wants me to do this, God will help me if I just ask! Love, heidi
The Word Among Us
I really need to remember this when I'm driving behind someone with a terribly disparaging bumper sticker! I've seen some that just make me shudder, but, yesterday, I saw someone who didn't just have a ridiculing, horrible bumper sticker, he had painted the whole back of his truck to reflect his heinous message. As I sat behind him at a traffic light my anger bubbled up. It was so hard for me to think of this individual as a child of God...someone lovingly created in the image and likeness of God. But that is the message I am receiving today. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. Period. When I see something that offends me so, I need to pray for the person and try to see them as God sees them. It's not up to me to judge them. And, as God wants me to do this, God will help me if I just ask! Love, heidi
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Early memories of Lent...
"God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress,
therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and
mountains plunge into the depths of the sea."
Psalm 46
My earliest memories of Lent are being plucked out of my warm bed, teeth quickly brushed, a comb through my surely-wild hair, a coat thrown over my pajamas, and I would wake up about mid-way through 6:30 AM mass. This went on everyday in Lent. And every year of my childhood. I remember the smells and bells of Holy Thursday, the silence of Good Friday, the smell of Easter lilies, replacing the sad smells, on Easter Sunday. These rich, rich memories have fueled my spirit and my faith. Oh, certainly, I complained at the time, but looking back, it was such a wonderful spiritual heritage! Today, let's give a thought and prayer for the journey that brought us to where we are in faith today. For, wherever we are, it's good to be here! Love, heidi
an ever-present help in distress,
therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and
mountains plunge into the depths of the sea."
Psalm 46
My earliest memories of Lent are being plucked out of my warm bed, teeth quickly brushed, a comb through my surely-wild hair, a coat thrown over my pajamas, and I would wake up about mid-way through 6:30 AM mass. This went on everyday in Lent. And every year of my childhood. I remember the smells and bells of Holy Thursday, the silence of Good Friday, the smell of Easter lilies, replacing the sad smells, on Easter Sunday. These rich, rich memories have fueled my spirit and my faith. Oh, certainly, I complained at the time, but looking back, it was such a wonderful spiritual heritage! Today, let's give a thought and prayer for the journey that brought us to where we are in faith today. For, wherever we are, it's good to be here! Love, heidi
Monday, March 19, 2012
Half-way through!
Since we are about half-way through our Lenten journey, I was thinking about the lessons I am learning as I travel the labyrinth this year. Three prayers/teachings jump out at me so I thought I'd review them with you today, St. Joseph's Day.
First, "Santa Fe, all the way!" From Fr. Ed Hays, meaning, Holy Faith, all the way! Our holy faith gets us through the difficulties; the times when we don't know what to do or what to think, but we can rely on the fact we KNOW all things work together for our good!
Second, "Lord, it's good to be here." (Matthew 17:4). Our restlessness can cause us to think our lives are on "hold" until God tells us where to go or what to do. The fact is, God can use us, in our weakness, right where we are! Sitting around, waiting to be "called" is actually not answering the call when it's ringing!
And, finally, "I love you, Jesus, my Friend." I hustled into mass yesterday, rain-turning-to-snow pelting me as I dashed. I found a seat and sat back with a sigh, "I love you, my Friend...I'm here and am so blessed to spend this time, in community, with you!" We are mid-way through our journey, Friends. What have we learned so far? Love, heidi
First, "Santa Fe, all the way!" From Fr. Ed Hays, meaning, Holy Faith, all the way! Our holy faith gets us through the difficulties; the times when we don't know what to do or what to think, but we can rely on the fact we KNOW all things work together for our good!
Second, "Lord, it's good to be here." (Matthew 17:4). Our restlessness can cause us to think our lives are on "hold" until God tells us where to go or what to do. The fact is, God can use us, in our weakness, right where we are! Sitting around, waiting to be "called" is actually not answering the call when it's ringing!
And, finally, "I love you, Jesus, my Friend." I hustled into mass yesterday, rain-turning-to-snow pelting me as I dashed. I found a seat and sat back with a sigh, "I love you, my Friend...I'm here and am so blessed to spend this time, in community, with you!" We are mid-way through our journey, Friends. What have we learned so far? Love, heidi
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