Come and sit...

"Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest...'"

Matthew 11:28

My most powerful and amazing experience of this reading is when I, well...experienced it for myself. I was getting a massage one Saturday, and I always just zoned out during a massage--no talking or anything, I just got lost in my own world. My mind went to a log downed over a lovely stream. There was Jesus, sitting on the log. He beckoned me and held out his hand to steady me as I sat down beside him. Me, being human, and ever so practical, said, "I don't want to keep you from anything..." Jesus responded, "I've got nowhere else to be...I'm here completely for you." So it wasn't just that Jesus called me, like this reading today, but Jesus had ALL the time in the world for me! It was such an awesome time for me and I think of it so often, but especially when I read this reading. I'm so much better at carving out time for sitting on the log with Jesus now. It used to be the only time I was still and silent was during a massage! But now, Jesus beckons me from the log constantly and I go. And, always, always, Jesus has all the time in the world for me! Love, heidi

Change your mind!

"Concretely, abandonment to the will of God consists of finding (God's) purpose for you in all the people, events, and circumstances you encounter."

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

God can change my mind in an instant. Seriously. Ask the girls in my prayer group. I can be all set to not do something worthwhile and, suddenly, I do it like it was my idea in the first place. It fascinates me when God does this, because it means God influences me. It means I can be somewhat pliable and flexible to what God wants; not just steadfast in my own agenda. But, does it happen enough? Probably not. I still really like my own agenda! I like to think that spending time in silence and prayer allows me to be more open to God's will in my life. I like to think that time is what is making me a bit more bendable to God's will in all my circumstances. I have read that the more time we spend with God, the more we understand God's will and think more readily what God's will would be in any given situation. And it may help us to change our minds occasionally if God wants us to! Blessings on your mid-summer Wednesday! Love, heidi

Love better!

"The way we see other people is usually the way we see ourselves. If we have made our peace with our flawed humanity and have embraced our ragamuffin identity, we are able to tolerate in others what was previously unacceptable in ourselves."

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

This really rang true for me this morning as I contemplated it. When I think of something hurtful done to me years ago, thus justifying my still being hurt by it all this many years later, I realize I did the same thing to someone else long before that! The things we are so quick to point out wrong with others, are so often the flaws we dislike in ourselves! Eureka, that! But if we can come to peace with our poorness of spirit, the fact that we are the wounded lepers at Jesus' feet, we can allow Jesus to heal us, too. And then, maybe, instead of being overly critical of others we can see in them the beauty that Jesus sees in us, faults and all! Today, if we find ourselves judging and criticizing others, let us quickly bring that same trait in ourselves to Jesus. Let us choose this beautiful summer day to change our hearts to love better! Love, heidi

Morning conversation

I had a conversation with God this morning...this is what God said.

Most loving parent...

"Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer."

Hosea 11:4

I love this image of God the parent, but this reading today really struck me. God is such a thankless lover and compassionate parent! Regardless of how shabby God was treated by the Israelites, God kept coming back for more. It is easier to see God mirrored through our parents if had a loving childhood. My parents were such a nice balance of parenting. My dad was an over-indulgent, Heidi-can-do-no-wrong, parent. My mom was firm and realistic, not wanting me to be spoiled. Between the two of them, I received a lovely balance of firm, yet abundant, love. I caught a glimpse of the overly indulgent God in my dad and the loving, yet ever-guiding and teaching God in my mom. How blessed I am! Let's spend some time today with our overly indulgent God, who just wants us to be our best selves. I have a long, beautiful drive today into the wilds of Idaho...it's an excellent opportunity to spend time with my most Loving Parent! Love, heidi

Falling in love...

"Life in the Spirit is the thrill and excitement of falling in love with Jesus Christ."

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

If you have been blessed in your life to have fallen in love, remember how that state of being turned your world upside down. Routines were abandoned, schedules changed; everything was stirred up! I remember one friend telling me that her life was so topsy-turvy that she found herself vacuuming her apartment at 5:00 in the morning! All you want is to spend time with that person--no matter what (and with clean carpets, too, apparently!) Our relationship with Jesus is a love-match. At least it is from Jesus' side. Jesus longs to be part of our day and in our thoughts. Think about when you really discovered Jesus. Not just discovered Jesus in church, but really discovered Jesus in your own life and heart. Didn't everything seem different to you? Didn't you change? Didn't you move things around to spend more time with Jesus? That's the idea. Has Jesus turned your life upside down? He wants to. Love, heidi