Avoid slackity!

"Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Romans 12:11

How do you not grow slack in zeal when you've been working at something a long time? Counting up the years of my rich and wonderful career in blind rehabilitation, I can, indeed, drag my feet in slackity (don't try that word at home--I made it up). I have been at this work a long time, and even though each client is unique, and there are new things to learn all the time, I am known to drag my feet a bit (especially on Monday mornings!) And then, just yesterday, a dear, elderly gentleman asked me, "Do you believe in angels?" I answered yes. He went on, "Well, I think you're an angel come to help me with this stuff." It's hard to remain slack with affirmation and gratitude like that! Lord, sometimes, it is difficult to remain full of zeal in the day-to-day of my work. Please help me to see each and every person as You see them and help me to serve them with the zeal I would serve You. For, indeed, each person I meet today is You! Love, heidi

In relationship

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Mark 10:51

You would think it would be so obvious to Jesus that Bartimaeus, the blind guy in Jericho, wanted healing of his vision. So why did Jesus ask? I think it's the same thing we've talked about God wanting from us all week...relationship. Jesus' question, "What do you want me to do for you?" is a conversation starter! Think about it. If Jesus wanted to, he could wave his arms over the crowd of 5000 and heal them all. Maybe he did, he certainly fed them all. But the gospel accounts of Jesus healing people usually involve Jesus talking to them, touching them, questioning them. The relationship is the important part to Jesus, whereas the people start out just wanting what they want. I had a powerful encounter with Jesus in prayer, where Jesus held out his hand and invited me to sit down next to him on a log, dangling our feet over a stream. Jesus wanted me to know he is always that close to me, not just then, but always. I was so grateful to just "be" with Jesus that I couldn't say much. Maybe I was star-struck! Maybe I just wanted to be close, in relationship. And that is what Jesus wants too. Today, let's consider: we don't have a relationship with Santa Claus, whom we just write to once a year and ask for stuff. Let's not treat God the same way. Love,, heidi

Appreciate the past, but live in the moment!

"As we pray to God for today's needs, we should remember all the ways God has blessed us in the past."

Living With Christ

If there is any sense of longing or need today, I can be reassured just glancing back to past situations that have worked out beautifully. At the time, they may have seemed daunting, however! I remember we had job difficulties, during the 80's recession, both times I was pregnant. As difficult as the situation seemed at the time, those times were among our best--we worked together, enjoyed the day-to-day, accomplished our goals. Those were some of our finest hours, as a family, and yet, they loomed so difficult at the time! We can be reassured by looking back and seeing how God has worked in us, preparing us, coaching us, supporting us. Remembering the past can reassure us in the present and give us hope for the future. But what does that mean for us living in the moment? Each moment is a new opportunity for us to savor and enjoy. I sat outside over the weekend and just relished the present moment there, with the angry squirrel scolding my dogs, the birds and their songs, the lilacs in their glory. That moment was all I needed to know that God is blessing me constantly! So, today, as we go about our Wednesday, let's be appreciative of the past, but live in the beauty of the now, too! Love, heidi

Beckoning us into relationship

"'One God and three Persons' is a oneness with diversity."

Rev. Robert Dueweke, OSA, "Living With Christ"

Trinity Sunday is always interesting because the Trinity is so difficult to explain! But I read and heard some very thought-provoking reflections on the Trinity that really got my juices flowing, beginning with this from Fr. Dueweke. He also says, "The Trinity is self-giving surrender and shared love with all creation." The Father loves the Son with self-giving, the Son loves the Spirit with self-giving, and so on. And then it all came together when both our homilist and Fr. James Martin, SJ (whose blog I read) said that the Trinity is all about relationship. God beckons us into relationship. All God wants is us--pursuing us, waiting for us. It is our choice, completely. God does not want to force us and wants us to come freely. But the Trinity exemplifies relationship--the kind of relationship God invites us to share. That relationship is self-giving and reciprocal; it is not one-sided. That relationship has so much power within it that it can reach out to others and invite them in as well. What does that look like on a late-May Tuesday? It means that we are part of a loving family, with God in all three persons. It means that we take that love we receive from our family and give it to those we meet in our day. It is self-giving and relational. A wonderful glimpse of what the Trinity is! Love, heidi

A faithful friend...

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."

Sirach 6:14

After Sam's graduation last weekend, and all the ensuing festivities, Sam and her roommates cleaned out the apartment and all moved on to different adventures in different states. It was hardest for Sam and her friend Jac (Jacqueline). They had been through so much together, since freshmen year! Sam called me in tears, saying they had just said good bye...driving away from the apartment caravan-style at first, and then, one turned one way the other turned the other way. On to their new lives, away from Boise State, and all they had shared. I sat there and cried right along with her. It is heart-breaking, even now, to write this, because I've been there, moving away from dear friends and lives shared. But, like I told Sam, thanks be to God that you have friends that are so hard to leave! It is such a gift to share ourselves with these treasures that God puts into our lives! If we went through our lives without feeling the pain of leaving, it means we never really loved. And that would be such a huge loss. So, today, let's use this scripture to really celebrate our friends. Let's thank God for the treasures in our lives we call friends. Blessings on your Memorial Day weekend! Love, heidi

Adding sin upon sin...

"Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin."

Sirach 5:5

This really made me think this morning. There is a fine line between appreciating God's infinite mercy and taking advantage of it. I thought about the times I go into Reconciliation with the same ol' sins, time after time. I flashed back to the sister who gave a talk at the Fire Rally who said her priest finally asked her what was she doing to actually change the behavior she was confessing each time. It's one thing to faithfully go to Reconciliation, it's another thing to sincerely try to change our attitudes and behavior! I think, the closer I get to God and the deeper the relationship I have with God, the more sincerely I want to be the person God knows I am. It's less about going through the motions of confessing my sins and more about wanting to be a better person. It's less about taking advantage of God's mercy and more about behaving better because I just love God. Wow. Deep thoughts to ponder! Blessings on your Thursday! Love, heidi