Much as I’ve enjoyed this summer season which is fading from view, I’m welcoming the change of season- settling into a simpler rhythm of autumn. (I can hear some of you with school age children refuting this perspective! [Think soccer, gymnastics, dance lessons, cross country, football and marching band practice, homework, etc.])
Since late May, there's been an irregular rhythm; of getting ready to go away, being gone, coming back home, catching up, and doing it all over again. I need a predictable rhythm in my life or the chambers of my spiritual heart simply don’t function to their fullest capacity.
It seems that all this coming and going has put me in some type of spiritual Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)
Physiologically speaking, A-Fib is an irregular heart rhythm that affects the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). In A-Fib, the atria quiver rather than beating in a normal manner - going into a life-threatening, dysfunctional pattern. This condition is characterized by a lack of coordinated atrial activity - a loss of organized atrial contraction which can lead to a myriad of clinical scenarios… As this condition progresses, ventricular tachycardia may set in and the activity of the heart becomes chaotic - beating too fast to effectively pump blood. At this point, a decisive intervention by way of defibrillation has to be applied or the heart will fail – resulting in death.
Paralleling the clinical assessment and evaluation of A-Fib, I’ve taken a serious look at my spiritual vital signs. Applying this to my inner life, there are some very clear symptoms that point to Spiritual A-Fib.
Figuratively, my heart rate is irregular and racing. Oxygen saturation is diminished due to insufficient respiratory activity. This has led to wheezing and diminished breath sounds. Venous pressure has built up in my head and neck. Other symptoms include tenderness, edema and over reactive reflexes.
Posting this blog entry has given me pause to apply a portable Defibrillator to my heart; allowing it to return to a productive heart rhythm. As I settle into the autumn of this year, it is time to return to some of the spiritual practices that have fallen by the wayside over the past few months – and breathe.
I’m so grateful for this reminder to keep it simple and focus on God’s goodness and abundant provision. As I think back to the inception of this blog, there was an intentionality of expressed gratitude and sharing of the practice of spiritual disciplines.
Simple reflection has given me a direction to take in future blog postings. If you choose to journey with me, I invite you to consider implementing some spiritual practices to your own life that will help keep your heart beating in a regular rhythm of love to the ONE who is faithful and ever present in your life.
Stay tuned for a book giveaway that celebrates a specific spiritual practice.
Until next time,
Grace and peace,
Honey Girl
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
a simple hymn of praise
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.
This old hymn puts to words what I've been unable to articulate after returning from a memorable vacation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Savoring the week just past, I can still hear the rhythm of the waves on the Lake Superior shoreline, envisage the double rainbow on the beach, review the most spectacular sunset ever witnessed, breathe in the pine scented air while hiking the forested dunes - each of these reminders of the freedom, gentleness and unfettered lightness that infused each day. Upon my return, I ponder - How might I capture and continue to live out of a grateful heart for the simple abundance of those grace filled days where I delighted at every turn in God’s presence and glorious creation?
Is there a song that speaks of where you are today? I’d love to have you sing it back to me.
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.
This old hymn puts to words what I've been unable to articulate after returning from a memorable vacation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Savoring the week just past, I can still hear the rhythm of the waves on the Lake Superior shoreline, envisage the double rainbow on the beach, review the most spectacular sunset ever witnessed, breathe in the pine scented air while hiking the forested dunes - each of these reminders of the freedom, gentleness and unfettered lightness that infused each day. Upon my return, I ponder - How might I capture and continue to live out of a grateful heart for the simple abundance of those grace filled days where I delighted at every turn in God’s presence and glorious creation?
Is there a song that speaks of where you are today? I’d love to have you sing it back to me.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
a simple channel
Earlier this summer I was witness to a 700 foot freighter getting stuck in the channel at Ottawa Beach. The channel had recently been dredged out, but significant rainfall allowed for beach sand to wash back into it. Obviously the canal has to be deepened repeatedly to allow for the safe, unobstructed passage of the occasional freighter.
Currently the street I live on is closed to through traffic while the road commission is working to replace the culvert that allows a stream to flow under the road. It’s quite an interesting project which gives me another visual of the importance of keeping the channel open.
Any consideration of these watercourses suggests that regular maintenance is required to keep the water flowing freely. Unless debris is removed from the approach, it could well become clogged or dammed up resulting in all kinds of problems. When the medium is maintained, there is a simple downstream gravitational flow that runs freely.
With that in mind, this old hymn invites me to look at my interior life as a channel – a culvert – a conduit.
I love old hymns and words.
Channels Only
1. How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.
2. Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation
All Thy loving message sound.
3. Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.
4. Witnessing Thy power to save me,
Setting free from self and sin;
Thou who boughtest to possess me,
In Thy fullness, Lord, come in.
5. Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit
Hearts that full surrender know;
That the streams of living water
From our inner self may flow.
Chorus:
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
Doris Donnelly reminds me that as a conduit of Living Water, "I am pulled not by guilt but by gravity and grace to do what I have come to understand with a high degree of certainty is God's will for me."
The morning office from The Divine Hours concludes with this Prayer of the Church:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
Words, hymns and prayers; simple reminders of God’s abundant provision to help me fulfill his purpose on this pathway that is the river of life.
I invite you to apply this prayer and the above hymn to your purpose as a conduit of God’s love and grace. Where then, might you need some dredging or opening so as to more freely flow with the Master’s power?
Currently the street I live on is closed to through traffic while the road commission is working to replace the culvert that allows a stream to flow under the road. It’s quite an interesting project which gives me another visual of the importance of keeping the channel open.
Any consideration of these watercourses suggests that regular maintenance is required to keep the water flowing freely. Unless debris is removed from the approach, it could well become clogged or dammed up resulting in all kinds of problems. When the medium is maintained, there is a simple downstream gravitational flow that runs freely.
With that in mind, this old hymn invites me to look at my interior life as a channel – a culvert – a conduit.
I love old hymns and words.
Channels Only
1. How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.
2. Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation
All Thy loving message sound.
3. Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.
4. Witnessing Thy power to save me,
Setting free from self and sin;
Thou who boughtest to possess me,
In Thy fullness, Lord, come in.
5. Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit
Hearts that full surrender know;
That the streams of living water
From our inner self may flow.
Chorus:
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
Doris Donnelly reminds me that as a conduit of Living Water, "I am pulled not by guilt but by gravity and grace to do what I have come to understand with a high degree of certainty is God's will for me."
The morning office from The Divine Hours concludes with this Prayer of the Church:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
Words, hymns and prayers; simple reminders of God’s abundant provision to help me fulfill his purpose on this pathway that is the river of life.
I invite you to apply this prayer and the above hymn to your purpose as a conduit of God’s love and grace. Where then, might you need some dredging or opening so as to more freely flow with the Master’s power?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
simple symphony
Wanting to post another entry here on honey girl's blog spot over the past few weeks, several drafts have been composed but nothing felt right. You know I like to keep it simple. Today, then, allow me to simply share the following quote:
To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich
to study hard, think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars, and birds,
babes and sages, with open heart,
to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
await occasions, hurry never-
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)
I like it. It holds a reflection of this blog spot's purpose - to post simple reflections expressing gratitude for God's goodness and abundant provision. It reminds, me, too, of a plaque hanging on my wall, which affirms this truth - Beckoned or not beckoned, God is present.
Taking a cue from starsandstillness, I'll add this caveat:
"As always, this quote is not a recommendation of the author’s general work, about which I know next-to-nothing."
Where are you aware of God's goodness and abundant provision -
unbidden and unconscious growing up through the common?
To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich
to study hard, think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars, and birds,
babes and sages, with open heart,
to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
await occasions, hurry never-
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)
I like it. It holds a reflection of this blog spot's purpose - to post simple reflections expressing gratitude for God's goodness and abundant provision. It reminds, me, too, of a plaque hanging on my wall, which affirms this truth - Beckoned or not beckoned, God is present.
Taking a cue from starsandstillness, I'll add this caveat:
"As always, this quote is not a recommendation of the author’s general work, about which I know next-to-nothing."
Where are you aware of God's goodness and abundant provision -
unbidden and unconscious growing up through the common?
Monday, July 12, 2010
simply me
Today's post stems from some ponderings that I've been absorbed with after someone asked the question, "when are you most completely you?"
I am most completely me when I'm in a creative space. There are several facets to Honey Girl's creative side - I'm a writer, yes. I'm also a baker and a musician. (Does my interest in photography make me a photographer?) These are some of the creative processes that feed my soul - that flow out of my true self and give expression to the woman that God created me to be.
I am also most completely me when I'm in a relational space as a spiritual director and spiritual companion - fully present to those around me.
Another scope of these ponderings is a reflection of my relationship with the ONE who calls me friend. Whether blogging, baking, making music, in community, or practicing silence and solitude, my hope is that my heart's desire is clearly echoed by these words of Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God:
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.
I invite you to consider this question, when are you most completely you?
When are you most fully alive, living out of your true self, in possession of God?
I am most completely me when I'm in a creative space. There are several facets to Honey Girl's creative side - I'm a writer, yes. I'm also a baker and a musician. (Does my interest in photography make me a photographer?) These are some of the creative processes that feed my soul - that flow out of my true self and give expression to the woman that God created me to be.
I am also most completely me when I'm in a relational space as a spiritual director and spiritual companion - fully present to those around me.
Another scope of these ponderings is a reflection of my relationship with the ONE who calls me friend. Whether blogging, baking, making music, in community, or practicing silence and solitude, my hope is that my heart's desire is clearly echoed by these words of Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God:
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.
I invite you to consider this question, when are you most completely you?
When are you most fully alive, living out of your true self, in possession of God?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Simply grateful
Summer is in full swing and this post invites me to give expression of simple gratitude as the rhythm of the seasons pulses along.
This morning found me grateful for flitting hummingbirds and butterflies in the perennial garden and a pair of wild turkeys strolling in the back yard with their ten chicks. Now, as dusk settles in, I'm grateful for lingering daylight and flickering fireflies. In the growing darkness, I’m grateful for the faithful appearance of Venus in the Western sky. Bird song has settled down for the night and a chorus of crickets has taken up the beat.
Except for the awareness of these simple pleasures it might have been an ordinary day.
I’m so thankful for eyes to see and ears to hear these evidences of God’s goodness and abundant provision.
How might you give affirmation of the same during these summer days and nights?
This morning found me grateful for flitting hummingbirds and butterflies in the perennial garden and a pair of wild turkeys strolling in the back yard with their ten chicks. Now, as dusk settles in, I'm grateful for lingering daylight and flickering fireflies. In the growing darkness, I’m grateful for the faithful appearance of Venus in the Western sky. Bird song has settled down for the night and a chorus of crickets has taken up the beat.
Except for the awareness of these simple pleasures it might have been an ordinary day.
I’m so thankful for eyes to see and ears to hear these evidences of God’s goodness and abundant provision.
How might you give affirmation of the same during these summer days and nights?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
grateful with nothing new to say
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Chorus
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Chorus
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Chorus
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Chorus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)