Look for the sacred

"The issue is whether there is anything in our world that we can call 'sacred.'"

Henri Nouwen, "Life of the Beloved"

Henri Nouwen wrote this book at the request of a younger friend who did not share his faith. His friend, Fred, asked him to write something that he and his secular friends could read that would help them tap into the goodness of the world, which Fred obviously saw Nouwen had. When Fred read the finished manuscript, he was disappointed, saying it was much like Nouwen's other books and spoke of Nouwen's faith...not something Fred could relate to, exactly. Nouwen was disappointed too...he'd thought he was onto something and was eager to share with Fred and his friends. The answer he came up with is the question above. Is there anything in our world we can call sacred? It mentions in the book that, at this time, Fred and his wife were waiting the birth of their first child. Well, there ya go. When Fred witnessed that living, breathing gift from God, did he find that sacred? Did he have an experience of God? Who wouldn't? Also, I wondered if Fred ever got into nature. Spending any time silently observing nature surely can teach us that there is sacredness all around us! There is sacredness in people around us who love and support us. There is sacredness even in those with whom we struggle because we realize, through them, God is teaching us. There is sacredness in our world. We may need to quiet the continual hum of our minds and open our eyes to it! Let's spend our weekend looking for the sacred all around us! Love, heidi

Shine on, shine on!

"I came into the world as light..."

John 12:46

...And I need you to shine in the world as light. Each day we are called to shine with Jesus' light in our daily dealings with the world. How blessed are we that an endless supply of light is available for us to tap into as we live each day! Spending a few minutes with Jesus as we begin our day fuels us for whatever will happen, whatever comes our way. We all will face situations today that may challenge us, baffle us, please us, frustrate us, you name it. But we know where to turn for guidance and our Light will help us put light on the situations we face. Lord, I have so much to do today and it all could really stress me out. Please use me to let Your Light shine on each situation I face. I am not much of a "shiner" without you shining through me. Let me be a lamp for you today! Love, heidi

A time to move...

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens...

A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant...A time to tear down, and a time to build."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Our office was moved yesterday. At one point, late morning, I stood in the doorway of an empty room that had been my office "home" for nearly seven years. I was moved by all that had gone on there and moved at the warp-speed passage of time. After much work, at the end of the work day, I stood in the doorway of my new office, admiring how lovely it all looked. Places have always been so important to me! Perhaps too important. I had to take daily walks all around Missoula, saying good-bye, before I was able to leave there when I graduated. I still drive by the old house on Dale, just to see what they've done to it and how it looks now. Places are important to me and someday, probably when I retire, I will look at the office I moved into yesterday with a lump in my throat. Our passages of time. Our places and spaces. God holds all of these in the palm of his hand and gives our shoulders a squeeze. It's all good. Love, heidi

Filled with Christ

"The smiling Christ heals and liberates."

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

My tulips are especially wonderful this year, but after a day of harsh weather, I noticed four of the tulips buds had broken off and lay limp in the dirt. I didn't know if it would work, but I put them into a glass of water. Their heads hung pathetically over the rim of the glass...they were a sad lot. The next morning, however, I was surprised to see them all upright and one was getting ready to open! It reminded me of how Jesus can heal and liberate, just as Brennan Manning says in today's devotion. The smiling Christ raises up our weary heads and infuses our rubbery stems with strength! Jesus does that for us, because we are to go out and do that for others. Today, let's think about how our lives are infused with Christ and how, because of that, we can do anything! We are strong and beautiful, because Jesus makes us so....love, heidi

The gift of ourselves...

"Our greatest fulfillment lies in giving ourselves to others."

Henri Nouwen, "Life of the Beloved"

Once, when I was in high school, I stayed with some friends while my folks were out of town. The young family had a baby, and once when I woke in the middle of the night, I was greeted by the mom, cradling the baby and rocking her tenderly. I still remember thinking to myself, wow...that sure seems like hard work, having to get up so crazy early for a kid! Years later, when I was the one up in the night, cradling an infant, it didn't seem crazy at all. You do what you do because you love your child more than you love yourself...and sleep. Our giving ourselves to our children is just one example of the times in our lives when we give lovingly to others. Our aging parents may need our care; we may have friends who need us as they go through hard times. Or, if you're like me, you are blessed to have a career where you get to help others. We are all called to give of ourselves to each other! Today and this weekend, let's think about others who have given to us and ask God to show us how to lovingly give to others...the gift of ourselves! Love, heidi

Give life!

"Jesus says to us, 'Either you give life to others in your relationships with them, or you drain them of it.'"

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

I don't think we consciously mean to drain life out of others in our dealings with them. I think it's just hard to step out of ourselves and into their shoes, to see things how they see them. And, sometimes, we need to feel better about ourselves and do that at the expense of others. How are we supposed to give life to others in our relationships anyway? I think it is by validating others, appreciating them, being grateful and acknowledging them. And it can't be false, either. That is just as damaging as ignoring others, I think. I had a priest give me excellent advice one time in confession when I was struggling with a difficult work situation. He said that when anyone I work with does something I appreciate, to write a note or somehow go out of my way to thank them for the good they did. Not long later, I had the reason and opportunity to do just that and the whole situation changed for the better. We each need to be validated and appreciated along our journey on this planet. Today, let's be aware of how we can show that to others! Love, heidi