I am not God!

"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, not let them slip from your memory as long as you live..."

Deuteronomy 4:9

 

I had a work presentation last night and  I prayed Jesus would help me with it.  I wanted it to be very good and a good help to the person who asked me to present to this particular group.  I prayed on the way there and, while I was presenting, I thought things were going well.  The group was very engaged, people were asking fabulous questions, I was rocking it!  In the glow of success, I drove home, thanking God for being there and helping me.  Then I discovered I'd done the whole presentation with the fly of my pants open.  Yep.  Lest I get too caught up in how great I am, my fly was open.  God is great.  I am not.  Thank you, Lord, for that reminder!  So, today, I will take care and be earnestly on my guard to make sure my pants are fully zipped.  And remember that I am only a pencil in the hand of God, not God herself.  Love, heidi

Yes! Here I am!

"Here I am; your commands for me are written in the scroll.

To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!"

Psalm 40:8-9

 

I had the craziest dream just before I woke up this morning.  Without going into all the silly details, I dreamed I was at a large "Come and See" gathering for both men and women discerning the religious life.  All the "discerners" were young, and yet, there I was, discerning with them.  "But," I kept telling the leaders, "Aren't I too old?"  Finally, an older priest said to me, "You are never too old to say 'Yes' to God."  I woke up with that fresh in my mind.  Then, I realized today is the feast of the Annunciation and it all fit together.  All of us, every day we're alive, have the choice to say 'Yes' to whatever God asks of us. Saying 'Yes' to God doesn't just mean the answer to a vocational call, but to respond with love to our clients, co-workers, family members, students, strangers.  God calls us each day to show compassion to everyone we meet.  That is when we have the privilege, and the responsibility, to say "Yes! Here I am!"  May we answer God's call today just like that...with multiple exclamation points! Love, heidi

Lesson from the "well woman"

"Sir, I see that you are a prophet..."

John 4:19

 

Yesterday's Gospel was the Woman at the well and I was excited to reread the chapter in Fr. Anthony Gittins' book, "Encountering Jesus" about this fascinating woman.  Jesus tells the woman he knows all about her colorful past, the five husbands, the fact that she is living with a man now who is not her husband.  Gittins says, "But (Jesus') intention is neither to condemn her, nor to dwell on the past. He shows no inclination to condemn, only to enlighten, to encourage, and to commission." Even though the woman was not of Jesus' people.  Even though she had lived a rather torrid life to that point, and even though she was a woman, Jesus saw in her, faith and potential. Jesus saw what she could become and what she turned out to be--one who leads others to him.  This woman, as Gittins points out, was far more on-top-of-things than the disciples who basically missed the whole stunning event! Today, before we judge someone as unsavory or un-teachable or even unlovable, let's remember Jesus and the woman at the well.  Jesus did not condemn her...he enlightened her, encouraged her, and then sent her out to teach others!  Love, heidi