A hole in my pocket!

"And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it."

Haggai 1:6

 

Well, that explains a lot!  My purse has a hole in it!  True enough...I often wish payday would come more often!  The trouble is, no matter how much I earned, the result would likely be the same. In this reading today, the prophet Haggai is telling the people of Israel to get off their duffs and build the Lord a home.  The people have the usual objections--not enough time or money--but it comes out as "The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord." (v. 2) I think we, like the Israelites, may need a few lessons in spending more wisely, more purposefully, thus making us able to help others.  Coming on the heels of yesterday's "use it or give it away" message; today, let's take a good, honest look at our spending habits and see if we can improve how we are using our hard-earned wages.  Is there a hole in your purse or pocket, like there is in mine?  Love, heidi

Be content!

"Be it little or much, be content with what you have..."

Sirach 29:23

 

Let this be my prayer today as I turn off the Amazon One-click purchasing feature!  Seriously, why is it so hard for us to be satisfied with what we have? I blame my Depression-era mother, who never could have enough clothes after being forced to share one good dress with her aunt during the 30's. But, at the end of her life, my mom didn't have much and yet, didn't lack anything.  That is such an important lesson for all of us!  This week let us take stock in the abundance we have and give what we are not using away to others who could use it.  Let us be so grateful and appreciative of all we have. Let our desire to want more make us stop and think of what we actually need and go with that.  Blessings on your autumn Wednesday!  Love, heidi

Repotted and renewed!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

 

A couple of months ago, I got a wild hair and repotted all my houseplants.  They were sad affairs, many as old as ten years, without new soil or fertilizer or anything.  (Shameful, I know, but I wasn't one of the Flower Shop Gainans, remember!) So I replanted them in roomy new pots, with rich soil and I even fertilized them.  Within a short time I noticed new growth! They are now thriving, new shoots and smiling new leaves everywhere! In pondering this and my retreat at the Hermitage last month, I realize that was what happened to me, too.  I was repotted in rich new soil in a comfy new pot and I am growing more spiritually by the day. The silence, the beautiful high desert views, the shy neighboring deer family, the daily prayer and spiritual reading all gave me just what I needed to grow and thrive...just like a new pot and yummy new dirt.  If anyone would like information on Marymount Hermitage, here is the link to their webpage:   

http://www.marymount-hermitage.org/index.htm 

 

The gift of Autumn

"As you, O Autumn, take pleasure in great bounty, let me also take delight in the abundance of simple things in life that are the true source of joy. With the golden glow of peaceful contentment may I truly appreciate this autumn day."

Fr. Ed Hays, "A Book of Wonders"

Yes, indeed!  Yesterday I had a Silent Sunday and greatly enjoyed the simple pleasures that Fr. Ed talks about in this reading.  The day was chilly; the tea kettle was on.  While I was walking Tebow in the nippy fall air, all I could think to say to God was "Thanks..."  Thanks, from the bottom of my heart...for everything.  The changing seasons are such a wonderful time for us to appreciate God's work in nature, as well as in our own hearts.  The turning leaves can make me a little anxious about what follows the autumn, but, no matter...God will be there with me then, too. Blessings on your Autumn Monday! Love, heidi