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

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

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

Two ears, one mouth...

"Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, for anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God."
James 1:19-20

(Quick note: Time is running out for you to hear the folks at Pray-As-You-Go say the word "February"...it's sort of a one syllable deal, like this--Feb'ry. Link below!)
Oh, wow...where has this reading been my whole life? I guess I concentrated on the later verse, "Be doers of the word, not hearers only." (v. 22)  Pray-As-You-Go asks how we measure up to the ideal of listening well, being slow to speak and slow to anger. I'm much more quick to speak and keeping speaking...prattling on and on. I guess awareness is the first step. But it's better to be aware early in a conversation, before this happens or during, not later, laying in bed thinking, "Why didn't I stop talking?" The old adage that we have two ears and only one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak is a good reminder. I just need to stop talking long enough to remember it! Blessings on your last Wednesday before Ash Wednesday! Love, heidi
Pray-As-You-Go

Cheeky to humble...

"She replied and said to him, 'Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps.'"
Mark 7:28

I love it when this reading is used on Pray-As-You-Go, because they always describe the woman as "cheeky" in her comments to Jesus. Jesus had told her the children of Israel must be fed first, after she asked for a healing for her daughter. Cheeky response. I love it. Have we ever been cheeky in our prayers? I've been reading an old journal from a couple of years ago and yes, I can honestly say, some of the stuff I write is cheeky. Seriously, God? A damaging hailstorm right before I close on the sale of my house? Is that the best you can do? I won't even share what I wrote November 9, 2016...it isn't fit to print, but yes, it was a bit cheeky. I really don't think God minds our cheeky prayers, because that means we are comfortable communicating with God. We are in relationship with God and if that means we're cheeky, God's OK with that. I also read back how I was so concerned with what would happen to my dog, Tebow, with the move to Boise. How would he do? How would I find a place to rent that would take him? How would that all work out? As I see the pieces of that puzzle and how they fit into place I can only marvel at the gifts of the situation. I can be cheeky in my prayers, but I can also be humble and awestruck when I recognize God's gifts. So I run the gamut of cheeky to humble, questioning to praising. Quaking to self-assured (wait! that hasn't come yet!) And all of it points to my being in a deep, rich relationship with God. And that's fabulous. Love, heidi

Encountering Jesus...

"Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?'"
Mark 5:30

This reading really hit me this morning for some reason. I usually am awed by the woman with the hemorrhage--her faith and courage to just go after what she knew in her heart was her only hope--Jesus. I can't imagine her fear when Jesus reels about and asks, "Who touched my clothes?" because, in touching Jesus, the woman rendered him unclean in the Jewish tradition. He could have been angry! But the woman steps forward and tells Jesus everything. I am also amazed, too, that Jesus desires relationship with each and every person he encounters. Jesus could have walked through the crowds, healing everyone of everything. There could have been many encounter-less healings along the way, but that is not Jesus' style. Jesus wanted to share a moment with each person. Jesus wanted to look into their eyes and souls. He wanted to praise their faith and cheer them on in their healing. He didn't take credit himself, but told the woman, "Daughter, your faith has saved you." (v. 34) What's really exciting to me is that Jesus wants to encounter us the same way. He wants us to reach out and seek his help for all we go through in our own lives. We need not approach Jesus with fear and trembling like the woman in the Gospel today. Jesus truly wants to walk with us through any difficulty and celebrate with us when it is over and we feel whole again. No matter what our day holds for us, this Tuesday, let's try to encounter Jesus. Love, heidi