"The soul craves experiences that offer it the rich depths of God."
Sue Monk Kidd, "When the Heart Waits"
This jumped out at me this morning as I read her list of suggestions: "Silence, solitude, holy leisure, simplicity, prayer, journaling..." Absolutely what I have found on my journey! Sue Monk Kidd points out that we cannot starve our souls, anymore than we can starve our bodies, without dire consequences. Our souls need nourishment and we get that nourishment by stepping out of our lives and drawing closer to God. We are coming to such a busy and hectic season, and, in the midst of that, we must take the time to nourish our souls. As Advent approaches, let's think, and maybe even jot down, how we will draw closer to God and feed our souls. Can we rise earlier in the morning and spend some time in silence? Can we make an effort to get to Adoration on Thursdays? Can we journal each day through this time; maybe a gratitude journal? Whatever we do, we need to take the time to nourish our souls, especially as we embark on this holy, yet busy season! Love, heidi
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
To know God is to live God's ways...
"We have to be so one with God that we do not continually need to ask for guidance."
Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"
This seemed odd at first, but the more I think about it the more it rings true. Remember that old TV game show "The Newlywed Game?" Couples were asked questions about how their spouses would respond and the better they knew their spouses, the better they did on the game. The more time we spend with God, studying God, learning God's ways, the better we know God. And the better we know God the easier it is to figure out what God wants of us. We don't have to continually ask what God would have us do because we already have a good idea of what that would be. The answer for us is to study God and be in constant relationship with God. God is intricately a part of us and our decision making...it is not such a quandary, "what to do, what to do?" Love, heidi
Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"
This seemed odd at first, but the more I think about it the more it rings true. Remember that old TV game show "The Newlywed Game?" Couples were asked questions about how their spouses would respond and the better they knew their spouses, the better they did on the game. The more time we spend with God, studying God, learning God's ways, the better we know God. And the better we know God the easier it is to figure out what God wants of us. We don't have to continually ask what God would have us do because we already have a good idea of what that would be. The answer for us is to study God and be in constant relationship with God. God is intricately a part of us and our decision making...it is not such a quandary, "what to do, what to do?" Love, heidi
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Remembering the vets...
"I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work
that you gave me to do."
John 17:4
Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran's Day. Five years ago this month, in Kalispell Montana, a great veteran was laid to rest. Al Miron served his country in WWII, but more importantly, he served the veterans of Montana for nearly forty years. He worked for the Division of Veteran's Affairs, tirelessly helping veterans receive their benefits and improving their lives. Al was a family man, raising his own four kids and always one little tag-along...me. My connection to the Miron family began when Al's mom began baby-sitting me when I was two weeks old. It continues to this day. Al's amazing family scooped me up whenever they came to town and included me in every single thing they did. Al was like a favorite uncle to me. He had a laugh that entered a room long before he did...big and boisterous and you laughed at the laugh. Al had infinite patience with us kids...he would tolerate twenty-five verses of "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am," in the car without batting an eye. Yes, Al Miron was a great veteran, and father, and husband and guy. He was the kind of veteran we remember on Veteran's Day. When I think of him entering heaven, I think of all his family and veteran friends waiting to greet him there, and I think of all those who have missed his laugh and are hearing it again. I look forward to hearing it again one day, too, when I get to heaven. So, please pray for all veterans today, those living and those who have already gone to their reward. Let us ask God to bless all men and women who continue to serve...and may we soon have Peace on earth.
Love heidi
that you gave me to do."
John 17:4
Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran's Day. Five years ago this month, in Kalispell Montana, a great veteran was laid to rest. Al Miron served his country in WWII, but more importantly, he served the veterans of Montana for nearly forty years. He worked for the Division of Veteran's Affairs, tirelessly helping veterans receive their benefits and improving their lives. Al was a family man, raising his own four kids and always one little tag-along...me. My connection to the Miron family began when Al's mom began baby-sitting me when I was two weeks old. It continues to this day. Al's amazing family scooped me up whenever they came to town and included me in every single thing they did. Al was like a favorite uncle to me. He had a laugh that entered a room long before he did...big and boisterous and you laughed at the laugh. Al had infinite patience with us kids...he would tolerate twenty-five verses of "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am," in the car without batting an eye. Yes, Al Miron was a great veteran, and father, and husband and guy. He was the kind of veteran we remember on Veteran's Day. When I think of him entering heaven, I think of all his family and veteran friends waiting to greet him there, and I think of all those who have missed his laugh and are hearing it again. I look forward to hearing it again one day, too, when I get to heaven. So, please pray for all veterans today, those living and those who have already gone to their reward. Let us ask God to bless all men and women who continue to serve...and may we soon have Peace on earth.
Love heidi
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The dance of life...
"The point of the spiritual life is that you dance the music God pipes in YOU."
Sue Monk Kidd, "When the Heart Waits"
As I pondered this today, I realized that life is a dance. Sometimes, it is a slow dance--lingering, swaying, more somber and serious. Other times, it's a cha-cha or a salsa--fast, vibrant, reeling. Sometimes, it's just wild and crazy free-style! Sometimes you have a partner, sometimes you don't. One thing is certain, your dance is uniquely YOU, as Sue Monk Kidd emphasizes in this quote. Your dance is the inner you coming visible, the child in you, the less inhibited, less careful you. The inner you can't let music happen without dancing to it. God puts the music within you and your response is the dance. What music are you hearing this day? Love, heidi
Sue Monk Kidd, "When the Heart Waits"
As I pondered this today, I realized that life is a dance. Sometimes, it is a slow dance--lingering, swaying, more somber and serious. Other times, it's a cha-cha or a salsa--fast, vibrant, reeling. Sometimes, it's just wild and crazy free-style! Sometimes you have a partner, sometimes you don't. One thing is certain, your dance is uniquely YOU, as Sue Monk Kidd emphasizes in this quote. Your dance is the inner you coming visible, the child in you, the less inhibited, less careful you. The inner you can't let music happen without dancing to it. God puts the music within you and your response is the dance. What music are you hearing this day? Love, heidi
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The souls of the just...
"But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them."
Wisdom 3:1
This reading is always so comforting to us when a loved one dies. I found myself thinking of my friend, Helen, who I was blessed to be with as she died last Ash Wednesday. Helen was rather late coming to the vineyard and she had such a hard time realizing that God loved her, really loved her. She had such a powerful sense of unworthiness and was always wondering how God could love an old lady like her! It was a real stretch for her to grasp God loving her in spite of all her imperfections (her salty language, for one!) I was constantly reassuring her, yes, God loves you...yes, God has created a place for you. Today, as I read this reading I find myself wanting to talk to Helen, "So, was I right? How is it?" For, I KNOW she is in the hands of God and I know she is OK. For God knows the beauty of our hearts and God welcomes us all, the late-comers, the prickly, those who appear to be on the outside looking in. The souls of the just are in the hand of God. Amen! Love, heidi
Wisdom 3:1
This reading is always so comforting to us when a loved one dies. I found myself thinking of my friend, Helen, who I was blessed to be with as she died last Ash Wednesday. Helen was rather late coming to the vineyard and she had such a hard time realizing that God loved her, really loved her. She had such a powerful sense of unworthiness and was always wondering how God could love an old lady like her! It was a real stretch for her to grasp God loving her in spite of all her imperfections (her salty language, for one!) I was constantly reassuring her, yes, God loves you...yes, God has created a place for you. Today, as I read this reading I find myself wanting to talk to Helen, "So, was I right? How is it?" For, I KNOW she is in the hands of God and I know she is OK. For God knows the beauty of our hearts and God welcomes us all, the late-comers, the prickly, those who appear to be on the outside looking in. The souls of the just are in the hand of God. Amen! Love, heidi
Monday, November 7, 2011
Do it today!
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show...let me do it now.”
William Penn
Fr. Raul used this quote in his homily last night and it was such a call to action for me! So often, we put off doing things we know we need to do. Things we want or need to say go unsaid because we think we have all kinds of time. And then, suddenly, time runs out. Let's take these words to heart today. If we've been thinking of writing or calling a loved one, let's do it today. If we need to forgive someone, let's do it today. If we need to ask forgiveness from someone, let's do that today. Let's think of today as an opportunity to show kindness to a stranger. This is the only November 7, 2011 we will ever know. Let's make it a special day! Love, heidi
William Penn
Fr. Raul used this quote in his homily last night and it was such a call to action for me! So often, we put off doing things we know we need to do. Things we want or need to say go unsaid because we think we have all kinds of time. And then, suddenly, time runs out. Let's take these words to heart today. If we've been thinking of writing or calling a loved one, let's do it today. If we need to forgive someone, let's do it today. If we need to ask forgiveness from someone, let's do that today. Let's think of today as an opportunity to show kindness to a stranger. This is the only November 7, 2011 we will ever know. Let's make it a special day! Love, heidi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)