Lingering sounds from The Lion King http://disney.go.com/theatre/thelionking/#/home/ – like a perpetual eight track - (The endless loop tape cartridge player from the ‘70s) keep going round and round in my head. You know how that is? To get rid of it, you just have to sing it – belt it out. Allow me to share. Sing along if you like. Please note that I’ve taken a bit of liberty with the interpretation, but this is, in part, why I particularly love these two songs: Endless Night & He Lives in You (Reprise).
Listen and you'll hear Simba’s lament in the first of these.
Where has the starlight gone? Dark is the day
How can I find my way home?
Home is an empty dream Lost to the night
Father, I feel so alone
You promised you'd be there whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name you’re not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do to end this nightmare
When will the dawning break Oh endless night
Sleepless I dream of the day when you were by my side
Guiding my path Father, I can't find the way
I know that the night must end and that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear and that the sun will shine
I know
Yes, I know
The sun will rise
Yes, I know
I know
The clouds must clear
Sometimes one needs to put it out there in the form of a good lament to clear the air and get centered with a proper focus on the reality of God’s presence with you again. Here, let me say that I’m uncomfortable with the phrase, “…and then, God showed up.” Let us remember that God is omnipresent – he is everywhere. (Psalm 139:7-12, Jeremiah 23:23-24)
Simba’s confidence in his father’s abiding presence – even though he hasn’t felt it, has been restored. He can now join in the chorus of the second of my favorites. (Consider this one from the perspective of Colossians 1:26 and 27 “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages & generations…the glorious mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”)
He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you
Having shared these thoughts, I’m grateful for the music - for the artistry and the beauty that the Lion King has brought into my life.
More than that, I’m grateful for reminders of God’s abiding presence.
Grateful too, that in difficult times, times when I feel lost and He seems far, far away, He hears the cry of my heart.
What is your lament today?
How has God proven His abiding presence in your life?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Did I say ordinary?
Wait a minute - did I say my life was ordinary? Ordinary - not to be confused with dull, indifferent, humdrum, run-of-the-mill, second-rate, so-so, undistinguished, uneventful, unexceptional, uninspired, unmemorable, unremarkable... Pondering my musings of yesterday, I see that my life is anything but ordinary. Simple, yes. Ordinary, no. How could it be ordinary? There is so much to be grateful for. Is anyone's life ordinary? Is not life itself extraordinary?
This thought has stayed with me all day & I can't rest until I set the record straight.
Here’s my short list for the day that proves (to me, at least) that life is anything but ordinary – each jotting a source of uncommon praise:
• I have opposable thumbs
• Watched a doe deer go face to face with a tom turkey in the back yard
• Enjoyed a picnic supper out at Lake Michigan
• Climbed the 240 stairs of Mt. Pishgah with out stopping
• Savored a Tommy Turtle Sundae from Captain Sunday
Life is good. I see God’s goodness and abundant provision at every turn.
Where do you see the extraordinary in the day to day?
This thought has stayed with me all day & I can't rest until I set the record straight.
Here’s my short list for the day that proves (to me, at least) that life is anything but ordinary – each jotting a source of uncommon praise:
• I have opposable thumbs
• Watched a doe deer go face to face with a tom turkey in the back yard
• Enjoyed a picnic supper out at Lake Michigan
• Climbed the 240 stairs of Mt. Pishgah with out stopping
• Savored a Tommy Turtle Sundae from Captain Sunday
Life is good. I see God’s goodness and abundant provision at every turn.
Where do you see the extraordinary in the day to day?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
living an ordinary life
Today finds me grateful - back home after a week of safe and satisfying travels to Southern California. One of the highlights of the trip was experiencing The Lion King. I was enthralled – enraptured with the sounds and sights of my first Broadway experience! Now I’m back on the stage of my ordinary life – catching up with cleaning and yard work, getting essential errands run – trying to get back into the groove of the day to day without loosing my focus and center.
During Lent and the Easter Season I found that certain practices helped establish a practical rhythm that kept me on track. Sometimes I need an assignment to get ‘er done. A good book points the way - The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women's Work" (Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality) by Kathleen Norris begins with a quote by Gregory of Nyssa:
“Let us remember that the life in which we ought to be interested is “daily” life. We can, each of us, only call the present time our own… Our Lord tells us to pray for today, and so he prevents us from tormenting ourselves about tomorrow. It is as if [God] were to say to us: “[It is I] who gives you this day [and’ will also give you what you need for this day. [It is I] who makes the sun to rise. [It is I] who scatters the darkness of night and reveals to you the rays of the sun.”
But I don’t want to read my life, I want to live it.
So, as I live this day, in the day to day, I choose an attitude of gratitude even in the ordinary.
During Lent and the Easter Season I found that certain practices helped establish a practical rhythm that kept me on track. Sometimes I need an assignment to get ‘er done. A good book points the way - The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women's Work" (Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality) by Kathleen Norris begins with a quote by Gregory of Nyssa:
“Let us remember that the life in which we ought to be interested is “daily” life. We can, each of us, only call the present time our own… Our Lord tells us to pray for today, and so he prevents us from tormenting ourselves about tomorrow. It is as if [God] were to say to us: “[It is I] who gives you this day [and’ will also give you what you need for this day. [It is I] who makes the sun to rise. [It is I] who scatters the darkness of night and reveals to you the rays of the sun.”
But I don’t want to read my life, I want to live it.
So, as I live this day, in the day to day, I choose an attitude of gratitude even in the ordinary.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
What's next?
Life just seems so ordinary without required reading and papers to write. What's next? This question keeps popping up these days now that the epic Spiritual Formation/Spiritual Direction Practicum has drawn to its close. For one who has always been scrambling around for the next thing, it's a valid question. I'm trying to hold the response that is coming into being lightly - keeping in line with what I’ve said elsewhere on this blog page:
• I try not to take myself too seriously.
• I realize that I need a lot less than I want.
The answer seems to be, "Not what's next - rather, what's alongside of."
In this blog I’ve been tracking time and the rhythm of the church calendar through Lent and the Easter Season’s joyful conclusion on the day of Pentecost Sunday. So far as this blog goes, I’ve been wondering, what’s next?
Liturgical churches now enter into what is known as Ordinary Time. While not meaning "common" or "mundane," this term comes from the word "ordinal," which simply means counted time.
As one who has not been involved in any church that has marked much of this liturgical church calendar, I find myself in an ordinary time of the common variety.
It’s not a question of what’s next – it’s simply a time of being in the here and now.
In this ordinary time that I find myself in, I’d like to use this page as a place to do what Honey Girl's blog spot has been established to do – be a spot to post simple reflections expressing gratitude for God's goodness and abundant provision.
The journey of the past five years has brought me to a place where I realize that I have everything that I need. For now, let me simply say that I am grateful for today - for opportunity to be outside on this glorious summer like day. Grateful for the time and energy to get some necessary yard work done. Grateful to come in out of the heat into air conditioned comfort and take a break.
Does today find you in an ordinary time? Even so, what are you grateful for?
• I try not to take myself too seriously.
• I realize that I need a lot less than I want.
The answer seems to be, "Not what's next - rather, what's alongside of."
In this blog I’ve been tracking time and the rhythm of the church calendar through Lent and the Easter Season’s joyful conclusion on the day of Pentecost Sunday. So far as this blog goes, I’ve been wondering, what’s next?
Liturgical churches now enter into what is known as Ordinary Time. While not meaning "common" or "mundane," this term comes from the word "ordinal," which simply means counted time.
As one who has not been involved in any church that has marked much of this liturgical church calendar, I find myself in an ordinary time of the common variety.
It’s not a question of what’s next – it’s simply a time of being in the here and now.
In this ordinary time that I find myself in, I’d like to use this page as a place to do what Honey Girl's blog spot has been established to do – be a spot to post simple reflections expressing gratitude for God's goodness and abundant provision.
The journey of the past five years has brought me to a place where I realize that I have everything that I need. For now, let me simply say that I am grateful for today - for opportunity to be outside on this glorious summer like day. Grateful for the time and energy to get some necessary yard work done. Grateful to come in out of the heat into air conditioned comfort and take a break.
Does today find you in an ordinary time? Even so, what are you grateful for?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday, observed tomorrow, marks the close of the 50 day Easter season on the church calendar. I’m grateful for this observance and the rhythm of seasons.
Allow me to share a prayer…
Come Holy Spirit
Come as a cleansing wind
Come as a fire and burn
Come as a light and shine
Come into my heart
Convict and convert
Until I am wholly Thine.
…and a poem entitled, A Man from Phrygia, on Pentecost by Madeleine L’Engle
Lord, I did not choose to be comforted.
I am not ready to bear the many things
you have yet to say: you said it yourself.
But you have sent me (against my will) your comforter
And what is comfort but an iron command?
I don’t want to obey. I won’t. Yes: I will.
Why must I interrupt my self-indulgent weakness
to respond to the austerity of your demand?
I must set my face sternly towards truth
as you turned toward Jerusalem, that all
obedience should be shown us and accomplished.
Your way to truth is hard, is dark, is pain.
You have shown me the way, O Lord, but I
am not prepared to bear your comfort.
And yet, unwilling, unready, recalcitrant,
I receive the flaming thrust that you have sent,
And voices speaking as in my own tongue,
And nothing will ever be the same again.
Allow me to share a prayer…
Come Holy Spirit
Come as a cleansing wind
Come as a fire and burn
Come as a light and shine
Come into my heart
Convict and convert
Until I am wholly Thine.
…and a poem entitled, A Man from Phrygia, on Pentecost by Madeleine L’Engle
Lord, I did not choose to be comforted.
I am not ready to bear the many things
you have yet to say: you said it yourself.
But you have sent me (against my will) your comforter
And what is comfort but an iron command?
I don’t want to obey. I won’t. Yes: I will.
Why must I interrupt my self-indulgent weakness
to respond to the austerity of your demand?
I must set my face sternly towards truth
as you turned toward Jerusalem, that all
obedience should be shown us and accomplished.
Your way to truth is hard, is dark, is pain.
You have shown me the way, O Lord, but I
am not prepared to bear your comfort.
And yet, unwilling, unready, recalcitrant,
I receive the flaming thrust that you have sent,
And voices speaking as in my own tongue,
And nothing will ever be the same again.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Direction
How many bloggers begin with this: It's been awhile since my last posting...
Here's my excuse ;o) Five years of learning in a most profound spiritual formation program/spiritual direction practicum drew to a close this past weekend. The previous month found me in the throes of writing my final paper and now, I’ve come out on the other side not knowing what’s next - what direction to take.
Today finds me pondering and processing with a grateful heart and an open posture of letting go and receiving - simply waiting for direction.
Until honey girl's next posting, let me leave you with this poem by John O’Donohue:
Blessed be the longing that brought you here
and quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
that disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
to discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.
May the forms of your belonging – in love, creativity, and friendship-
be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.
May the one you long for long for you.
May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.
May a secret providence guide your thought and nurture your feeling.
May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness
with which your body inhabits the world.
May your heart never be haunted by ghost-structures of old damage.
May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.
May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.
Here's my excuse ;o) Five years of learning in a most profound spiritual formation program/spiritual direction practicum drew to a close this past weekend. The previous month found me in the throes of writing my final paper and now, I’ve come out on the other side not knowing what’s next - what direction to take.
Today finds me pondering and processing with a grateful heart and an open posture of letting go and receiving - simply waiting for direction.
Until honey girl's next posting, let me leave you with this poem by John O’Donohue:
Blessed be the longing that brought you here
and quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
that disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
to discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.
May the forms of your belonging – in love, creativity, and friendship-
be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.
May the one you long for long for you.
May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.
May a secret providence guide your thought and nurture your feeling.
May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness
with which your body inhabits the world.
May your heart never be haunted by ghost-structures of old damage.
May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.
May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Prescribed Burn
Since Lent, while intentionally cultivating an attitude of gratitude, I've found myself wondering how Paul was able to say, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." What was the Apostle's secret? Recently, while reading from the book, THE WAY TO LOVE, by Anthony DeMello, a turn of the page became a match strike when I read these words, "Search ...in your heart for the spark of discontent and tend the flame till it becomes a conflagration and your world is burned down to a heap of rubble." ... Tend the flame of discontent?
A few days ago the GR PRESS ran a story entitled, "Blaze is creative spark that renews the land.” It told about a controlled fire set on a 32 acre wildlife habitat in Lowell. The Frederick Meijer Gardens had the wildflower meadow torched a month ago in similar fashion. Fascinated by the process, I learned that these prescribed burns are a way of managing fire-dependent ecosystems in a safe, controlled fashion. They are effective in managing invasive species while simultaneously stimulating native plants - incinerating all the non-native plants which compete for sunlight, rain and soil nutrients.
In light of the above examples of incendiary tactics, I see the wisdom behind DeMello’s words. In preparation for a prescribed burn of the spark of discontent; be aware. Take note of the invasive vexation. Name it. Tend its flame. Out of the ashes is the promise of new life. Having visited the Meijer Gardens a few days ago, I was curious – What had been, just days before, blackened, charred ground was now an area boasting tender sprouts of abundant wildflower foliage. It has been transformed into a rich fertile area – one that I look forward to revisiting in the weeks and months ahead so as to enjoy an abundant display of blossoms.
In this fifth week of Easter, I’m on the lookout for signs of resurrection. The wildflower meadow at the Meijer Gardens has become, for me, a tangible reminder of resurrection. For that I’m grateful.
What spark of discontent in your heart is waiting for the breath of the Spirit to ignite and set ablaze that you might see resurrection?
God of the resurrection, God of the living, untomb and uncover all that needs to live in me. Take me to people, events, and situations and stretch me into much greater openness. Open me. Open me. Open me... for it is only then that I will know how it is to be in the moment rising from the dead. (J. Rupp)
A few days ago the GR PRESS ran a story entitled, "Blaze is creative spark that renews the land.” It told about a controlled fire set on a 32 acre wildlife habitat in Lowell. The Frederick Meijer Gardens had the wildflower meadow torched a month ago in similar fashion. Fascinated by the process, I learned that these prescribed burns are a way of managing fire-dependent ecosystems in a safe, controlled fashion. They are effective in managing invasive species while simultaneously stimulating native plants - incinerating all the non-native plants which compete for sunlight, rain and soil nutrients.
In light of the above examples of incendiary tactics, I see the wisdom behind DeMello’s words. In preparation for a prescribed burn of the spark of discontent; be aware. Take note of the invasive vexation. Name it. Tend its flame. Out of the ashes is the promise of new life. Having visited the Meijer Gardens a few days ago, I was curious – What had been, just days before, blackened, charred ground was now an area boasting tender sprouts of abundant wildflower foliage. It has been transformed into a rich fertile area – one that I look forward to revisiting in the weeks and months ahead so as to enjoy an abundant display of blossoms.
In this fifth week of Easter, I’m on the lookout for signs of resurrection. The wildflower meadow at the Meijer Gardens has become, for me, a tangible reminder of resurrection. For that I’m grateful.
What spark of discontent in your heart is waiting for the breath of the Spirit to ignite and set ablaze that you might see resurrection?
God of the resurrection, God of the living, untomb and uncover all that needs to live in me. Take me to people, events, and situations and stretch me into much greater openness. Open me. Open me. Open me... for it is only then that I will know how it is to be in the moment rising from the dead. (J. Rupp)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)