Home from a long weekend away on silent directed retreat, there are a couple of directions I oould go in this new post on Monday of Holy Week 2010. On the one hand, I could pontificate about the contrasting voices of Palm Sunday's jubilant crowd shouting, "Hosanna...blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," and the loud cries of "crucify him!" which are ramping up for Good Friday.
But, on the other hand, this morning, I want to hold onto the silence of the weekend and share some other kind of reflections. One thing about a silent retreat is that there are hours and hours to do absolutely nothing - except wasting time with God. Seventy two hours of silence invited me to revel in a couple of my favorite things -reading and walking.
Friday dawned clear and bright. After a morning of reflective study and a session with my Spiritual Director, I took the opportunity to drive the short distance from the retreat center in Conway, Michigan, to Petosky State Park. Hiking into the campground and along the shore of Little Traverse Bay, I could hear layers of echoes from past summers - shared camping experinces with family. Saturday I drove a bit further into Petoskey - parking the car at Bay View and walking down the bike trail to the clock and the dock on the bay - sittin' there - praying for each dear family member and simply wasting time with God.
Sitting here, just now, basking in the memories of the weekend and beyond, my heart is stired with gratitude. I'm so grateful for the refreshing and renewal that this annual retreat brought me. Grateful for good memories of family and fun camping experiences. Grateful for time to reflect - for time to simply waste time with God.
When have you simply wasted time with God? When was the last time you you took time to simply be? Give it a try - I'd love to hear how this stirs up gratitude in your heart.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Keepin' it simple during Lent
Today is Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent, 2010. Five weeks ago, on Ash Wednesday, I picked up THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK (with it's) six-minute meditations on the Passion of Mark. This humble little book has been my companion during these days of Lent. The book’s intent is to guide the reader through the daily meditative readings and develop a practice of prayer based on reflection and meditation. The intentional use of the Little Black Book has been framing my observance of Lent in a simple way and for this, I am grateful. Simplicity is what I have needed so as to not get caught up in a legalistic, performance based adherence.
Six minutes - that's all. Yet, this morning's reading cut me to the core. Taken from Mark 15:22-24, the first four words of verse 24 brought another of my Lent intentions - simplicity - into focus with startling clarity. "Then they crucified him." "Then they crucified him" - Pointed words directing my attention to next week's Good Friday. Sharp words - yes, but such an expression of love that I am urged to joyfully press on with my Lent intent - press on to the glory of Easter.
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday which opens the way to holy week. The season on the church calendar known as Lent is drawing to a close.
I'm grateful for the invitation that comes from Lent - grateful that the observance of Lent has come into my sphere of living. Grateful for this annual reminder and marker to enhance the daily journey of spiritual formation and transformation. Grateful for the community of faith that shares this practice with me.
Where are you in this next to the last week of Lent? How has this simple Lenten reflection stirred gratitude in your heart? I'd love it if you'd share that with me.
Grace and peace to you, dear one.
Six minutes - that's all. Yet, this morning's reading cut me to the core. Taken from Mark 15:22-24, the first four words of verse 24 brought another of my Lent intentions - simplicity - into focus with startling clarity. "Then they crucified him." "Then they crucified him" - Pointed words directing my attention to next week's Good Friday. Sharp words - yes, but such an expression of love that I am urged to joyfully press on with my Lent intent - press on to the glory of Easter.
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday which opens the way to holy week. The season on the church calendar known as Lent is drawing to a close.
I'm grateful for the invitation that comes from Lent - grateful that the observance of Lent has come into my sphere of living. Grateful for this annual reminder and marker to enhance the daily journey of spiritual formation and transformation. Grateful for the community of faith that shares this practice with me.
Where are you in this next to the last week of Lent? How has this simple Lenten reflection stirred gratitude in your heart? I'd love it if you'd share that with me.
Grace and peace to you, dear one.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Around the world during Lent
Last night’s Grand Rapids PRESS alerted me to a most interesting phenomenon. The International Space Station (ISS) was on course to fly directly overhead. Not wanting to miss this event, I sat out on the back deck - enthralled - up above, stars twinkled and a thin crescent moon smiled down on me. Meteorologist, Bill Steffen, had informed viewers to look to the NW. Sure enough, at precisely 8:58p.m., the ISS appeared – moving straight towards me as it travelled to the SE – visible for a full three minutes. After it had passed out of sight, I wondered if there might be a way of tracking it online. A quick internet search revealed this site: http://www.heavens-above.com/. What a fascinating revelation! For the next hour and a half, I followed the course of the ISS around the globe.
Tracking its flight, I was reminded of my visit to the Kennedy Space Center back in October, where I was able to enter a replica of a small portion of the ISS. Memories of NASA’s early history also came to mind…. In the early days of the space race – formative years for me, growing up in the 1960s - some Western sources claimed that Russian Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, during the first manned space flight, had made the comment, "I don't see any God up here." He might not have seen God, but he missed the point. God sees. God knows. Isn’t it comforting to know that “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
(2 Chronicles 16: 9)
Having been captivated by last night’s spectacle, I’ve been giving the Heavens Above homepage an occasional glance and see that the ISS continues to circumnavigate planet Earth, like some giant eye in the sky, over two hundred miles high in orbit, at 17227 mi per hour – that’s sixteen orbits of the Earth during each 24 hour period.
For some reason, all this makes me think of Christians all over the world – across the various continents where the global church is alive and well today. I wonder how these brothers and sisters are commemorating this Lenten season. This gives me pause to consider the church through out the ages as well – professing an ancient creed – “…I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints….” Omniscient, omnipresent God, who transcends time and space, sees…. knows….. Here is a source of joy and gratitude for me as I continue with some Lenten practices – a sense of solidarity and community shared by the body of Christ – through out time and space.
Tracking its flight, I was reminded of my visit to the Kennedy Space Center back in October, where I was able to enter a replica of a small portion of the ISS. Memories of NASA’s early history also came to mind…. In the early days of the space race – formative years for me, growing up in the 1960s - some Western sources claimed that Russian Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, during the first manned space flight, had made the comment, "I don't see any God up here." He might not have seen God, but he missed the point. God sees. God knows. Isn’t it comforting to know that “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
(2 Chronicles 16: 9)
Having been captivated by last night’s spectacle, I’ve been giving the Heavens Above homepage an occasional glance and see that the ISS continues to circumnavigate planet Earth, like some giant eye in the sky, over two hundred miles high in orbit, at 17227 mi per hour – that’s sixteen orbits of the Earth during each 24 hour period.
For some reason, all this makes me think of Christians all over the world – across the various continents where the global church is alive and well today. I wonder how these brothers and sisters are commemorating this Lenten season. This gives me pause to consider the church through out the ages as well – professing an ancient creed – “…I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints….” Omniscient, omnipresent God, who transcends time and space, sees…. knows….. Here is a source of joy and gratitude for me as I continue with some Lenten practices – a sense of solidarity and community shared by the body of Christ – through out time and space.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Springing forward in Lent
Yesterday morning, those of us who remembered, woke up an hour earlier than accustomed due to the time change. Here is where we “spring forward” – thus loosing an hour of sleep.
Every year we do this. Every year I ask myself, “What’s the point?”
This morning, I woke up cranky and blamed it on the fact that I was trying to adjust to the time change and that critical hour of lost sleep. Like a slinky, I flopped out of bed and wondered what the point was. Feeling more than a bit cantankerous, other things came into play and I resisted making the bed – again, asking, what’s the point? All this got me thinking, so, really – what’s the point of me personally observing Lent? Pondering that particular aspect of the question and playing with words a bit, invited me to consider that the intentional observance of Lenten practices can, in a way, be seen as another type of "spring." It seems that perhaps these disciplines allow for some of the same functions that the mechanics of various kinds of springs hold forth. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia helped me learn something about springs. For example,
• A torsion spring stores energy.
• Some heavy trucks and railroad cars use coil springs which reduce concussion or shock from violent jolts.
• Torsion bars or leaf springs absorb stresses by twisting.
• The disk spring, which consists of a laminated series of convex disks, is widely employed for heavy loads.
Today, as this picture of a spring is framing my Lent intent, another question is forming – one that is encouraging me to be faithful to these practices. How might these disciplines that are becoming part of the rhythm of my days be a type of spring that will store energy, reduce shock, absorb stresses and keep me flexible, or help distribute heavy loads in the face of that persistent question, “What’s the point? “
The point is, by pondering this question, it seems there's a new bounce in my step -a firmer commitment - a resiliance to follow through with my Lent intent to be grateful. This evening, as the sun sets an hour later than it did last week, I’m choosing to be grateful – grateful for something that I know has a point – That which I know is true: God delights in his Honey Girl. He is the provider of much simple abundance. He is faithful. He knows. He cares.
When have you asked, “What’s the point?” If your Lenten practice could be compared to a spring, which type would you be looking for in answer to the question? And what might you be grateful for even when you miss the point?
Every year we do this. Every year I ask myself, “What’s the point?”
This morning, I woke up cranky and blamed it on the fact that I was trying to adjust to the time change and that critical hour of lost sleep. Like a slinky, I flopped out of bed and wondered what the point was. Feeling more than a bit cantankerous, other things came into play and I resisted making the bed – again, asking, what’s the point? All this got me thinking, so, really – what’s the point of me personally observing Lent? Pondering that particular aspect of the question and playing with words a bit, invited me to consider that the intentional observance of Lenten practices can, in a way, be seen as another type of "spring." It seems that perhaps these disciplines allow for some of the same functions that the mechanics of various kinds of springs hold forth. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia helped me learn something about springs. For example,
• A torsion spring stores energy.
• Some heavy trucks and railroad cars use coil springs which reduce concussion or shock from violent jolts.
• Torsion bars or leaf springs absorb stresses by twisting.
• The disk spring, which consists of a laminated series of convex disks, is widely employed for heavy loads.
Today, as this picture of a spring is framing my Lent intent, another question is forming – one that is encouraging me to be faithful to these practices. How might these disciplines that are becoming part of the rhythm of my days be a type of spring that will store energy, reduce shock, absorb stresses and keep me flexible, or help distribute heavy loads in the face of that persistent question, “What’s the point? “
The point is, by pondering this question, it seems there's a new bounce in my step -a firmer commitment - a resiliance to follow through with my Lent intent to be grateful. This evening, as the sun sets an hour later than it did last week, I’m choosing to be grateful – grateful for something that I know has a point – That which I know is true: God delights in his Honey Girl. He is the provider of much simple abundance. He is faithful. He knows. He cares.
When have you asked, “What’s the point?” If your Lenten practice could be compared to a spring, which type would you be looking for in answer to the question? And what might you be grateful for even when you miss the point?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Coasting through Lent
Today marks the halfway point between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The rhythms of the Lenten season are becoming more practiced and this day finds me with a grateful appreciation of the rise and fall of each new day - a measured flow, yet varied. Waking up this morning, I feel cradled me in a coasting mode. Seems I simply need to let my body seek its own pace. It was the first day in a long time that I haven’t woken up to the alarm. Tuning in to Blue Lake Public Radio seems like the perfect way to ease into the day.
Referencing an online glossary of terms, (http://www.classicalworks.com/html/glossary.html)
allowed for some sweet analogies for this Thursday of the third week of Lent and prompts some questions to be asked of me and you….
Is your day flowing harmoniously or are discordant notes interrupting your hours?
What themes are moving through your days?
Which of the following musical terms describe where you are today?
Fugue - A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition, each voice enters at different times, creating counterpoint with one another
Exposition -The first section of a movement written in sonata form, introducing the melodies and themes.
Sonata -Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo, rhythm, and melody; but are held together by subject and style.
Sonata form - A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition, a development, or recapitulation.
Counterpoint - Two or three melodic lines played at the same time
Legato - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.
Staccato - Short detached notes, as opposed to legato
Rococo - A musical style characterized as excessive, ornamental, and trivial.
Serenade - A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function.
Requiem - A dirge, hymn, or musical service for the repose of the dead.
Refrain - A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.
Pastoral - A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.
Monotone Repetition of a single tone.
Minor - One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood.
Major - One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.
Hymn - A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.
Grave - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.
Galliard - Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.
Forte - A symbol indicating to play loud.
Piano - An instruction in sheet music to play softly.
Fermata - To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.
Drone - Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.
Dissonance - Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.
Coasting into this Lenten day, I'm grateful for the variety of tones, rhythms, styles, notes of the musical forms - & how these metaphorically play out in my days; for Bonnie Bierma at Blue Lake (you can listen here: http://bluelake.ncats.net/) and ears with which to hear the music.
Referencing an online glossary of terms, (http://www.classicalworks.com/html/glossary.html)
allowed for some sweet analogies for this Thursday of the third week of Lent and prompts some questions to be asked of me and you….
Is your day flowing harmoniously or are discordant notes interrupting your hours?
What themes are moving through your days?
Which of the following musical terms describe where you are today?
Fugue - A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition, each voice enters at different times, creating counterpoint with one another
Exposition -The first section of a movement written in sonata form, introducing the melodies and themes.
Sonata -Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo, rhythm, and melody; but are held together by subject and style.
Sonata form - A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition, a development, or recapitulation.
Counterpoint - Two or three melodic lines played at the same time
Legato - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.
Staccato - Short detached notes, as opposed to legato
Rococo - A musical style characterized as excessive, ornamental, and trivial.
Serenade - A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function.
Requiem - A dirge, hymn, or musical service for the repose of the dead.
Refrain - A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.
Pastoral - A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.
Monotone Repetition of a single tone.
Minor - One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood.
Major - One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.
Hymn - A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.
Grave - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.
Galliard - Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.
Forte - A symbol indicating to play loud.
Piano - An instruction in sheet music to play softly.
Fermata - To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.
Drone - Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.
Dissonance - Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.
Coasting into this Lenten day, I'm grateful for the variety of tones, rhythms, styles, notes of the musical forms - & how these metaphorically play out in my days; for Bonnie Bierma at Blue Lake (you can listen here: http://bluelake.ncats.net/) and ears with which to hear the music.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lent and March madness
Kids were out in mass holding court in driveways all through the accustomed neighborhood. Dribbling basketballs punctuated my walk on this, the third Sunday of Lent. Temperatures were hovering near 45 degrees and I was almost CRAZED with spring fever. There was nearly a sense of disorientation – Seven days of sunshine in a row? Was this really Western Michigan or had I been transported to another place? Yet, here were all the familiar houses along the routine route which I have walked countless times over the years. My thankful heart, overwhelmed with yet another day of brilliant blue sky, pumped a new rhythm into my step. Yet, aside from the abundant sunshine, there was something more… Walking through Lent, an attitude of gratitude is being cultivated. A growing mindfulness of what is good and plentiful stirs my heart to sing a grateful song of praise, here, to the One who supplies an abundant and loving provision for me, his beloved Honey Girl.
Now, some might say that it’s simple to be so happy on such a beautiful day. I’m highly aware that clouds will, one of these days – perhaps tomorrow, blanket the sky. Using that as a metaphor, I recall the first entry of this blog. The quote below, from Donna Roberts and http://www.gratefulness.org/word/index.htm, helps me bear in mind that in sunshine or rain, joy or pain, mad, glad, or sad, we need each other.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
A day is coming when I’ll need a friend or two to sing to me. Meanwhile, I’m going to continue the cultivation of this attitude of gratitude – shoring up for myself daily reminders of God’s lavish and bountiful store. I invite you to do the same. Here’s what I’m grateful for this morning:
Community
Friends
Timely quotes
Opportunity to simply be home today and get out for another long walk in the sunshine and blue skies
Now, some might say that it’s simple to be so happy on such a beautiful day. I’m highly aware that clouds will, one of these days – perhaps tomorrow, blanket the sky. Using that as a metaphor, I recall the first entry of this blog. The quote below, from Donna Roberts and http://www.gratefulness.org/word/index.htm, helps me bear in mind that in sunshine or rain, joy or pain, mad, glad, or sad, we need each other.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
A day is coming when I’ll need a friend or two to sing to me. Meanwhile, I’m going to continue the cultivation of this attitude of gratitude – shoring up for myself daily reminders of God’s lavish and bountiful store. I invite you to do the same. Here’s what I’m grateful for this morning:
Community
Friends
Timely quotes
Opportunity to simply be home today and get out for another long walk in the sunshine and blue skies
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Lenten season and song, rhythm and rhyme
The chorus from Tevye's exquisitely poignant song from Fiddler on the Roof has been playing through my mind, over the past few days.
Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years,
one season following another,
laiden with happiness, and tears.
The measured rhythm to that song, stirs a longing for a greater acceptance of the reality of this familiar phrase: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
This season of Lent is inviting me to practice mindfulness - to be more aware of the simple things - day in and day out. This seems to be translating into a more purposeful attention to the details of each day. A heightened awareness helping me settle in to the rhythm of life. Each tick of the clock this morning suggests that this day will develop it’s own measure and rhyme. My hope is that this mindfulness will allow me to be more fully present in the moment. Might this mindfulness allow for a more courteous posture and a more attentive spirit to the one that I’m with. More conscious of the beauty all around me... as well as more watchful for any needs that I might attend to. On this Thursday morning of the second week of Lent, I’m mindful of, attentive to, and grateful for these familiar rhythms:
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall – Seasons
Sunrise, sunset – morning by morning, new mercies I see…
Waves– lapping or crashing on the shore
Music and song
Breath – inhale, exhale
What rhythms are you noticing during this season of Lent?
Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years,
one season following another,
laiden with happiness, and tears.
The measured rhythm to that song, stirs a longing for a greater acceptance of the reality of this familiar phrase: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
This season of Lent is inviting me to practice mindfulness - to be more aware of the simple things - day in and day out. This seems to be translating into a more purposeful attention to the details of each day. A heightened awareness helping me settle in to the rhythm of life. Each tick of the clock this morning suggests that this day will develop it’s own measure and rhyme. My hope is that this mindfulness will allow me to be more fully present in the moment. Might this mindfulness allow for a more courteous posture and a more attentive spirit to the one that I’m with. More conscious of the beauty all around me... as well as more watchful for any needs that I might attend to. On this Thursday morning of the second week of Lent, I’m mindful of, attentive to, and grateful for these familiar rhythms:
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall – Seasons
Sunrise, sunset – morning by morning, new mercies I see…
Waves– lapping or crashing on the shore
Music and song
Breath – inhale, exhale
What rhythms are you noticing during this season of Lent?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Limping along in Lent
Herculean task that it was, I imagined myself conquering it in just one day!
After living with it for 21 years, yesterday was the day. Perhaps by taking this initial step in the process the rest would simply fall into place. Sometimes it takes me awhile, but then, once it’s time, by simply putting my mind to it, I can get’er done.
It all began about a year ago with a trip to Home Depot – to find the perfect color of paint. Good intentions were taken on to freshen up the living room. Oh, but then there was the obstacle of the ancient piano. Before justice could be done, that behemoth would have to go. Months later in the middle of summer, that space was vacated but now I had another excuse not to paint - it was too hot! Seasons waxed and waned. Good intentions lagged. Motivation was suspended - until yesterday when the paint chip card which had been lost in the clutter, was found in a frenzy of spring cleaning. A question formed and I answered that perhaps by rearranging the furniture, I’d be motivated once and for all to actually paint the living room. And so, I set out by moving some of the furniture around. Starting with the cabinet that houses the stereo equipment, I attempted to lift a corner – hoping to jockey it away from the wall. A warning pain shooting through my knee suggested that my body mechanics could be better. In reality, I didn’t have the strength to move the cabinet across the room as it was. After that jolt, my right hip began complaining and I knew that this task was not to be accomplished quickly. Determined to at least begin the project, down on my knees, each stereo component was carefully removed from the back of the cabinet. Considerably lightened, the piece of furniture was easily moved to the space that had been taken up by the piano. Now the individual contents could be moved back into place. All those wires and cords carefully tended to made for slow going, but soon enough it was back in working order. I’m pleased for having taken this first step in actually working towards the fulfillment of getting the living room painted.
What in the world does this have to do with Lent, you might be asking.
Today finds me walking with a bit of a limp after wrestling with that ungainly piece of furniture. This limp reminds me of Jacob’s experience of wrestling with God in Genesis 32: 22 – 31. It seems that the experience of Lent could be likened to a season of wrestling with God.
Old habits and patterns of resistance cannot simply be rearranged, Good intentions, by themselves, do not make for change. A shared commitment to my Lent intent is spurring me on to persevere during these forty days. In a previous post, Anonymous commented...
Honey girl,
Gods grace and love continues to remind me of my walk with him and others is never perfect but I keep trying to be more like Jesus. Lent is a perfect time to reflect on my life and how to change a habit if only for 40 days, and then maybe a lifetime? And to know Gods forgiveness is always there, all I need to do is ask and recieve.
honey girl responded...
Research shows that it takes 21 days to develop (or break) a habit. With that said, faithfulness to our Lent intentions, along with God's grace and support of loving community, makes for an encouraging word. Grace and peace as you practice change.
Today, I need to take my own words to heart and just keep limping along. Meanwhile, I’m grateful for loving, supportive community; for friends who encourage and come alongside; for companions in the journey. I’m grateful for good words and ancient stories that ring true today. And I’m grateful for a new day to step out, once again with my Lent intent – even if it is with a bit of a limp.
After living with it for 21 years, yesterday was the day. Perhaps by taking this initial step in the process the rest would simply fall into place. Sometimes it takes me awhile, but then, once it’s time, by simply putting my mind to it, I can get’er done.
It all began about a year ago with a trip to Home Depot – to find the perfect color of paint. Good intentions were taken on to freshen up the living room. Oh, but then there was the obstacle of the ancient piano. Before justice could be done, that behemoth would have to go. Months later in the middle of summer, that space was vacated but now I had another excuse not to paint - it was too hot! Seasons waxed and waned. Good intentions lagged. Motivation was suspended - until yesterday when the paint chip card which had been lost in the clutter, was found in a frenzy of spring cleaning. A question formed and I answered that perhaps by rearranging the furniture, I’d be motivated once and for all to actually paint the living room. And so, I set out by moving some of the furniture around. Starting with the cabinet that houses the stereo equipment, I attempted to lift a corner – hoping to jockey it away from the wall. A warning pain shooting through my knee suggested that my body mechanics could be better. In reality, I didn’t have the strength to move the cabinet across the room as it was. After that jolt, my right hip began complaining and I knew that this task was not to be accomplished quickly. Determined to at least begin the project, down on my knees, each stereo component was carefully removed from the back of the cabinet. Considerably lightened, the piece of furniture was easily moved to the space that had been taken up by the piano. Now the individual contents could be moved back into place. All those wires and cords carefully tended to made for slow going, but soon enough it was back in working order. I’m pleased for having taken this first step in actually working towards the fulfillment of getting the living room painted.
What in the world does this have to do with Lent, you might be asking.
Today finds me walking with a bit of a limp after wrestling with that ungainly piece of furniture. This limp reminds me of Jacob’s experience of wrestling with God in Genesis 32: 22 – 31. It seems that the experience of Lent could be likened to a season of wrestling with God.
Old habits and patterns of resistance cannot simply be rearranged, Good intentions, by themselves, do not make for change. A shared commitment to my Lent intent is spurring me on to persevere during these forty days. In a previous post, Anonymous commented...
Honey girl,
Gods grace and love continues to remind me of my walk with him and others is never perfect but I keep trying to be more like Jesus. Lent is a perfect time to reflect on my life and how to change a habit if only for 40 days, and then maybe a lifetime? And to know Gods forgiveness is always there, all I need to do is ask and recieve.
honey girl responded...
Research shows that it takes 21 days to develop (or break) a habit. With that said, faithfulness to our Lent intentions, along with God's grace and support of loving community, makes for an encouraging word. Grace and peace as you practice change.
Today, I need to take my own words to heart and just keep limping along. Meanwhile, I’m grateful for loving, supportive community; for friends who encourage and come alongside; for companions in the journey. I’m grateful for good words and ancient stories that ring true today. And I’m grateful for a new day to step out, once again with my Lent intent – even if it is with a bit of a limp.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)