The key to communication

Yesterday, during our staff in-service, we were told the key to successful communication is in three words: acknowledge the other. Acknowledge the person with whom you are talking.  Isn't that exactly what Jesus did the whole time he walked the earth? That's why Jesus didn't just heal people, indiscriminately, as he moved through a crowd.  He stopped, looked into their eyes, asked them what they wanted him to do, heard their stories, touched them.  He acknowledged them and had relationships with them, although perhaps, briefly.  We can see that as we watch Pope Francis move through his visit in the US.  It was so moving to see him beckon a little five year old girl to come over to the popemobile so he could bless her and acknowledge her. We can spend a lifetime learning to let another person feel we acknowledge them and care about what they are sharing with us. So, today, as we move through our newly autumn Thursday, let's be very aware of acknowledging all we meet.  Even if it is just a nod and a smile as we pass by them on the sidewalk or in the hall.  Every single person is valuable and well worth acknowledging!  Love, heidi

Mercy, not sacrifice

"Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'"

Matthew 9:13

 

We all will do well to listen to Jesus, here, and do the same. Pope Francis has declared a Year of Mercy, beginning later this year. There are already signs that this Year will have real legs on it--signs of forgiveness and reconciliation from the church toward those who feel on the fringe. The pope has already shown that this Year of Mercy is not just a nice idea to get his name in the papers. The Year of Mercy is a chance for each one of us to look deep inside and see where we can extend forgiveness and mercy in our own lives.  Are there past hurts we can forgive and, thus, really put in the past? Are there people with whom we haven't talked in a while we can reach out and reconnect? Are there people with whom we struggle that we could embrace? What will the Year of Mercy look like in our own lives? What can we do to spark merciful change? Real Mercy. Real Forgiveness. Real Change. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."  Love, heidi

Stuff

"For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it."

1 Timothy 6:7

I still have my mother's stuff.  I mean, I have furniture that was hers, old photo albums with grainy old pictures of unsmiling faces I can't identify. I have boxes of mysterious bits and bobs of old jewelry that belonged to someone ages ago.  She got to leave it all behind when she died fifteen years ago this month and now I have it.  I suppose, when I die, some of these things will end up in my kids' homes and the grainy old photos will be even more unfamiliar.  Who ARE these people and why don't they ever seem to smile?  I've said it before and I'll say it again, stuff can be so burdensome! My only hope is that, when it is my turn to go Home to heaven, my kids won't come in and say in dismay, "Oh, look at all this stuff!"  Lord, I'm asking you today to help me detach from stuff!  I always hear the message in prayer, "Pare down! Let go of it; someone else may be able to use it."  Help me to heed you and follow you.  As you traveled village to village you had very little stuff.  I aspire to that, too. Love, heidi

Our gift--God's work

"Do not neglect the gift you have..."

1 Timothy 4:14

 

Any mention of using our gifts reminds me of Fr. Caleb and his definition of humility: using the gifts God has given while giving God the glory.  I think I can see that so evident as I grow older and see God working through my own weakness.  I have long ago run out of ideas for this Daily Heidi-gram thing and yet, somehow, God gets one out more often than not. If I think about it, the real gift is in the yielding to God and not in the doing myself, and isn't that true for most of God's gifts? When our gifts become about us they quickly lose steam, but when our gifts are in letting God shine through us, we can step aside and see God work. The other part of this reading is about perseverance; Paul telling Timothy: "Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks..." (v. 16). That speaks to me richly, too.  We must never stop learning ourselves so we always have something to share with others.  Those of us who have had the same career for many years may feel tempted to phone it in at this point, and that is NOT what we should do.  We need to keep it fresh, realizing that God's work through us is always new.   So, let's get out there this September Thursday and let God shine though us! Love, heidi

Come to the party!

"Solitude is a place 'where only God will do.'"

Ruth Haley Barton, "Sacred Rhythms"

 

I think the reason I crave my solitude on Silent Sundays is because I am not "alone." I am alone with God, which is a very different alone-ness than just being by myself. It doesn't feel empty or void at all; it feels very full and rich. I feel very much "least alone," as Lord Byron put it. I feel surrounded by loved ones--all in the presence of God.  I know it may sound crazy but I feel so much more my authentic self when it's just God and me.  Heidi--the display model--is nowhere in sight and I can just be the me that God created; faults and all.  I encourage you to try spending some time alone, and unplugged, with God, even just a few minutes.  You may be so surprised who shows up!  God will be God and you will be you; and that's a party!  Love, heidi

Who am I to you?

"But who do you say that I am?"

Mark 8:29

 

I spent some time praying with yesterday's Gospel and this line jumped out at me; specifically, the word "you."  I remember learning that, in Spanish, there is a plural word for you, "ustedes."  Interesting, that in English "you" can be either singular or plural. This creates some confusion to the point that we have to make up a word for the plural you--like y'all or youse (yikes!) But, when I prayed with this, the word "you" was very singular.  "But who do you, heidi ann gainan, say that I am?"  Along with all people reading this Gospel yesterday, Jesus wanted my opinion!  That's a bit heady! "Who am I to you, heidi?"  And what is my response to Jesus?  And how will this change my life? What will this look like as I open the door to my office in a little while? That is where the rubber meets the road for all of us, Friends. How we answer that question indicates how we bring Jesus to a waiting world.  Who do YOU say Jesus is, this September Monday? And how will that affect your world this day?  Love, heidi