Prayer for today...and everyday!

"Dear God, help me to spread your love everywhere I go. Penetrate and possess my whole being so fully that all my life will reflect your compassion. Shine through me and be so in me that every person I meet will feel your presence in my spirit."

Adapted prayer of John Cardinal Newman by Sr. Joyce Rupp, "The Cup of Our Life"

 

This could be a print, clip and save, Friends.  Blessings on your weekend! Love, heidi

Filled up to be poured out...

"We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works."

Hebrews 10:24

 

Everything I've read and prayed with lately has been pushing me outward--that is, leading and guiding me to put new legs on my faith and get moving. I've discovered how wonderful it is to have a quiet relationship with Jesus and now Jesus is urging me out to serve others.  Our faith is not just for ourselves, but it is for the whole community. Our gifts are not just for us, but for all.  As cozy and comfortable it is to spend time with just Jesus, those times must lead to the loving service of others.  As I am being filled, I am called to be poured out.  And that is much harder for me!  Jesus continually challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust that we will be given what we need to help build up his Kingdom.  Seems like a big job for a winter Thursday, but let's try!  Love, heidi

Adjust your pace...

"I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me..."

Psalm 40:2

 

God works s-l-o-w-l-y!  If I have learned anything about God in these last several years, that is it. God is not in a hurry to do anything. Except love us. We need to slow ourselves down to meet God where God is, not expecting that God will hurry to accommodate our sense of urgency.  You know how, when you walk with someone, you adjust your pace to theirs? We may need to slow down, this January day, and adjust our pace to the gentle, breezy pace of God.  I suspect it will be worth it in the end. After all, God knows the Big Picture and God knows where the road is leading. Love, heidi

Jesus IN me...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, then to rest afterwards."

Spanish Proverb

 

I have a refrigerator magnet with this on it and I love it! In our busy lives do we ever take the time to do nothing and then to rest afterwards? We are so busy doing...do we ever take the time to just "be;" be with God? Jesus modeled for us going off alone to pray. His was a busy ministry of traveling, meeting, healing, tending the flock, and yet, he took time away from others to pray.  It fueled him for the next task at hand. As part of our Spiritual Director's training, we take monthly Silent Days, where we unplug and spend time with just God. It certainly isn't doing "nothing," as in the proverb, but is spending time just being with Jesus.  One of the more valuable fruits I've learned is that, while it may be Jesus-AND-me during that day, the point of it leads to Jesus-IN-me, to go out and do Jesus' work in the world.  After Jesus finishes his prayer time alone, he goes back to the crowds who need him.  And that, my Friends, is a Monday.  Love, heidi