"The truth is that we must pray for the strength to do what we are meant to do. We must pray for the courage to meet the challenges of life. We must pray for the endurance it will take to go on even when nothing changes. We must pray that the spirit of God is with us as we do what must be done, whether we succeed in the process or not."
Sr. Joan Chittister, "The Breath of the Soul" (as quoted in Give Us This Day)
I have long had a bug-a-boo about praying for specific outcomes. Maybe it was a lack of faith that made me leery of praying that "this" will happen, or "that," on Tuesday between the hours of four and six. I've never been good at it, really. I pray for people all the time, but just not that specific things will or won't happen. God only knows what would be best for that person, what outcome would be best in the long run, or in the Big Picture. What if my idea was not big enough or the outcome I desired would end up being harmful? I always like the example of Jesus' mother at the Wedding Feast at Cana. She just identified her concern and left it at that. "They have no wine," she said. Then, presumably, she let go of the situation and let Jesus take it from there. (And we all know what HE did!) So especially now in these trying times, I like the idea of praying for strength to do what we are supposed to do. (And, God knows, I need really clear directions!) I think we all need to pray for courage and endurance and also the wisdom to learn from this valuable time. Despite the closing of all the schools, we ARE in school, folks. Think of it as being in Love School. How can we learn the lessons of love through a difficult time such as this? The Spirit of God is with us and the lessons are right in front of us. What are we learning at this Wisdom School? Blessings and love, heidi
Friday, March 27, 2020
Monday, March 23, 2020
Calm the storm!
"(Jesus) got into a boat and the disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so the boat was being swamped by waves; but Jesus was asleep. They came and woke him saying, 'Lord! Save us, we are perishing!'...
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm..."
Matthew 8:23-25, 26
I watched a nice interview with Fr. James Martin, SJ in my newsfeed this morning. He was asked (from six feet away) what scripture can help us during this time of fear. He immediately said the calming of the storm Gospel. This is certainly a wild storm, isn't it? We all feel tossed about, hanging on for dear life as we swirl and bounce along in the boat. We wonder how in the world Jesus can sleep through this storm, right? But, as Fr. Martin suggests, we can wake Jesus up and ask him to calm our inner storms and fears. This is a major storm for all, but it can also be a fierce inner storm, deep within, and fear can grip us tightly. Let's read this passage from Matthew and spend some quiet time with Jesus in our own little boats. What storms within would we ask him to calm? Can he give us ideas of who we can help or how we can calm storms for others who may be suffering even worse? I'm thinking the food banks are being taxed to the max right now...could we send them a donation? Is there someone we can check up on? Goodness knows we have time now to spend quiet time with Jesus...what do we ask him? Love, heidi
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm..."
Matthew 8:23-25, 26
I watched a nice interview with Fr. James Martin, SJ in my newsfeed this morning. He was asked (from six feet away) what scripture can help us during this time of fear. He immediately said the calming of the storm Gospel. This is certainly a wild storm, isn't it? We all feel tossed about, hanging on for dear life as we swirl and bounce along in the boat. We wonder how in the world Jesus can sleep through this storm, right? But, as Fr. Martin suggests, we can wake Jesus up and ask him to calm our inner storms and fears. This is a major storm for all, but it can also be a fierce inner storm, deep within, and fear can grip us tightly. Let's read this passage from Matthew and spend some quiet time with Jesus in our own little boats. What storms within would we ask him to calm? Can he give us ideas of who we can help or how we can calm storms for others who may be suffering even worse? I'm thinking the food banks are being taxed to the max right now...could we send them a donation? Is there someone we can check up on? Goodness knows we have time now to spend quiet time with Jesus...what do we ask him? Love, heidi
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A time to rest...
"Indeed, we live frantic existences. But it's not wrong to rest in the labyrinth, to find a bench or a chair to rest.."
Edward Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
Fr. Ed Hays wrote this book, "The Lenten Labyrinth," in 1994. I picture him pausing whatever he's doing in heaven and noting his advice for the Third Tuesday in Lent tells us to pull up a bench and rest. That's about ALL we can do in the midst of this virus! It feels like Lent is happening to us this year, instead of us choosing to "do" Lent. How can we use this time for the best possible good for everyone? How can we allow this time to heal us, even as we face the uncertainty of becoming sick? How can we let this time grow us up a bit, so we can emerge from it a little wiser, more compassionate, more loving, more like Jesus? This time gives us an excellent chance to think of others first. Pray for those who are ill and who will become ill. We can do the best thing by staying a safe distance from others and not over-buying stuff at the stores. We can call and check on loved ones and support efforts in the community to keep kids fed and occupied. We can seek out reliable information and avoid sharing hyped-up misinformation. We can think of this time as sacred and holy--a time to rest in the labyrinth. We are being asked to slow down, stop the frantic wheels of our usual lives from spinning. Someday, we will look back on this difficult time and remember its craziness. How we view it in the rear view mirror depends on how we live it now. Do we see it as a troublesome burden or as a possibly unique gift? Live this time well. Love others well. Rest in the labyrinth... Love, heidi
Edward Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
Fr. Ed Hays wrote this book, "The Lenten Labyrinth," in 1994. I picture him pausing whatever he's doing in heaven and noting his advice for the Third Tuesday in Lent tells us to pull up a bench and rest. That's about ALL we can do in the midst of this virus! It feels like Lent is happening to us this year, instead of us choosing to "do" Lent. How can we use this time for the best possible good for everyone? How can we allow this time to heal us, even as we face the uncertainty of becoming sick? How can we let this time grow us up a bit, so we can emerge from it a little wiser, more compassionate, more loving, more like Jesus? This time gives us an excellent chance to think of others first. Pray for those who are ill and who will become ill. We can do the best thing by staying a safe distance from others and not over-buying stuff at the stores. We can call and check on loved ones and support efforts in the community to keep kids fed and occupied. We can seek out reliable information and avoid sharing hyped-up misinformation. We can think of this time as sacred and holy--a time to rest in the labyrinth. We are being asked to slow down, stop the frantic wheels of our usual lives from spinning. Someday, we will look back on this difficult time and remember its craziness. How we view it in the rear view mirror depends on how we live it now. Do we see it as a troublesome burden or as a possibly unique gift? Live this time well. Love others well. Rest in the labyrinth... Love, heidi
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
It is good to be here...
"'Holy Faith, All the Way.' 'Lord, it is good to be here.' It will be your holy faith which tells you that wherever 'here' is at this moment in your life is a gift from God since the purpose of each 'here' is to transform us."
Edward Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
I sure needed this as dawn arrives this morning! This "here" right now seems so troubled, so full on uncertainty. The virus, the election, the state of our world right now seems like such a difficult "here," doesn't it? I think it points to a couple of things...first our vulnerability. We humans think we are so powerful and in control, don't we? This "here" is a wake-up call to how fragile we human beings can be. Also, our illusion that we are in control is worth questioning in this uncertain time, isn't it? And what are we to do with this time of difficulty? The labyrinth is such a wonderful tool for dealing with times like these for me! The maze overall looks so complicated and how can I get from here to the center? But, actually, it is very simple. All I really have to do is the very next step...which is right there, next to me. All I can do is the next, quite obvious step. I'll work my way to the center in God's time. I have kids flying all around the world doing scary things right now (Blaine tried flying a helicopter yesterday--yikes!). Believe me, I could so easily freak out (and still probably will!) But, as I read about this tricky "here" happening for so many people, all I can do is look at the very next step on the labyrinth. What can I actually do? I can go work at school to the best of my ability. I seek others and help them as they need. I can pray for all who are going through this collective time of difficulty--my fellow travelers on the labyrinth--some who may be suffering and sick. And I can allow this difficulty to wash over me and transform me. I can learn from this time, gain strength and wisdom from this time. And I can trust that God holds this very uncertain "here" time for all of us. Love, heidi
Edward Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
I sure needed this as dawn arrives this morning! This "here" right now seems so troubled, so full on uncertainty. The virus, the election, the state of our world right now seems like such a difficult "here," doesn't it? I think it points to a couple of things...first our vulnerability. We humans think we are so powerful and in control, don't we? This "here" is a wake-up call to how fragile we human beings can be. Also, our illusion that we are in control is worth questioning in this uncertain time, isn't it? And what are we to do with this time of difficulty? The labyrinth is such a wonderful tool for dealing with times like these for me! The maze overall looks so complicated and how can I get from here to the center? But, actually, it is very simple. All I really have to do is the very next step...which is right there, next to me. All I can do is the next, quite obvious step. I'll work my way to the center in God's time. I have kids flying all around the world doing scary things right now (Blaine tried flying a helicopter yesterday--yikes!). Believe me, I could so easily freak out (and still probably will!) But, as I read about this tricky "here" happening for so many people, all I can do is look at the very next step on the labyrinth. What can I actually do? I can go work at school to the best of my ability. I seek others and help them as they need. I can pray for all who are going through this collective time of difficulty--my fellow travelers on the labyrinth--some who may be suffering and sick. And I can allow this difficulty to wash over me and transform me. I can learn from this time, gain strength and wisdom from this time. And I can trust that God holds this very uncertain "here" time for all of us. Love, heidi
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Looking for love...(in all the right places!)
"Jesus said to his disciples, 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you.'"
Matthew 7:7
Isn't that fabulous news? Wait. What do I really want? Pray-As-You-Go suggests we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deepest desires of our hearts. Because that is what we really, really want. What are our deepest desires? A couple of years ago, the answer seemed so clear. I was making a big change--I was turning a big corner on the labyrinth of life, so that was easy. What about now? Actually, the really deep desires are the same as they have been for many years. I want to grow closer and deeper in love with God. So lofty. So deep, right? But the manifestation of that is a greater love for all with whom I share this planet. I can want a deeper relationship with God and ask for that (I do!) and what does God do? God places difficult humans in my path! Because that is how God shows love to me and asks for my love in return. That's how I grow deeper in love with God. It's never just about me and God. It's always about others and Lent is always a good time to revisit that little gem. I can want God and God may be all I want. But, growing with God means loving and receiving others. As we journey through our early-Lent Thursday, let's keep our eyes open for God today...for if we seek, we will find. Love, heidi
Matthew 7:7
Isn't that fabulous news? Wait. What do I really want? Pray-As-You-Go suggests we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deepest desires of our hearts. Because that is what we really, really want. What are our deepest desires? A couple of years ago, the answer seemed so clear. I was making a big change--I was turning a big corner on the labyrinth of life, so that was easy. What about now? Actually, the really deep desires are the same as they have been for many years. I want to grow closer and deeper in love with God. So lofty. So deep, right? But the manifestation of that is a greater love for all with whom I share this planet. I can want a deeper relationship with God and ask for that (I do!) and what does God do? God places difficult humans in my path! Because that is how God shows love to me and asks for my love in return. That's how I grow deeper in love with God. It's never just about me and God. It's always about others and Lent is always a good time to revisit that little gem. I can want God and God may be all I want. But, growing with God means loving and receiving others. As we journey through our early-Lent Thursday, let's keep our eyes open for God today...for if we seek, we will find. Love, heidi
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Welcome the children...
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not just me, but the one who sent me."
Mark 9:37
I admit it. Yesterday had a real unhinged quality about it at school. We have only a few weeks until spring break, it was a Monday, and I'm not sure of the moon status, but it felt like a full moon. Like I said, unhinged. Times like that I tend to go back to my Early American upbringing and remember the admonishments to "straighten up and fly right" or to "quit cryin' or I'll give you something to cry about!" Yikes, all of that. Thanks be to God, who had a hand over my mouth all afternoon, I didn't go anywhere near THERE, but the thoughts flew through my head, along with "what's wrong with these kids?" Along with God ever ready to cover my mouth, God has provided me coworkers who are such good examples and models. I watch and see how they handle the kids on these difficult days and I see such compassion and patience, even as the kids can be so difficult! So today, I will remember Jesus saying "Whoever welcomes one such a child (crying, difficult) welcomes me." It's truly a gift to have a job with children...they are little Jesuses running around. I just need to remember that! Blessings on your Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday tomorrow...it's nearly Lent again! Love, heidi
Mark 9:37
I admit it. Yesterday had a real unhinged quality about it at school. We have only a few weeks until spring break, it was a Monday, and I'm not sure of the moon status, but it felt like a full moon. Like I said, unhinged. Times like that I tend to go back to my Early American upbringing and remember the admonishments to "straighten up and fly right" or to "quit cryin' or I'll give you something to cry about!" Yikes, all of that. Thanks be to God, who had a hand over my mouth all afternoon, I didn't go anywhere near THERE, but the thoughts flew through my head, along with "what's wrong with these kids?" Along with God ever ready to cover my mouth, God has provided me coworkers who are such good examples and models. I watch and see how they handle the kids on these difficult days and I see such compassion and patience, even as the kids can be so difficult! So today, I will remember Jesus saying "Whoever welcomes one such a child (crying, difficult) welcomes me." It's truly a gift to have a job with children...they are little Jesuses running around. I just need to remember that! Blessings on your Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday tomorrow...it's nearly Lent again! Love, heidi
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