by Liz | Oct 21, 2010 | main
Several years ago I worked my way through Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It involved an exercise of taking the time daily to write down five things that you are grateful for. At times I struggled (life seemed a bit dark at the time); I recorded things like “my family” or “having a job” or “having a home.” As, I said, this was during a dark time in my life and as I wrote things down, I think I wrote things that I thought I should be grateful for. It was a good reminder each day and it certainly was a help to try to look at the good things.
This past weekend one of my godsons got married. We flew out to Texas to help celebrate the occasion. My oldest son was the best man. This was really a family celebration — a small wedding, but a weekend filled with friends that are more like family than friends. I listened to my son give the toast at the reception. The sense of BROTHERS came through so strongly. This despite the fact that these boys have not lived in the same town since they were 5 years old and have taken very different paths in life. But, they regard each other as brothers at a very deep level.
I had the chance to spent time not only with my son, but my daughter in law as well. When I teasingly made some comment about her not really knowing about the often odd family that she married in to, she responded – “Yes, but I’m glad I did.”
The groom hugged me repeatedly – and the bride, whom I had never met in person was open and welcoming. It seemed that the fact that we were special to her new husband meant that we would be special to her.
So many joys —
So, today, when I think of what I am grateful for, it comes from the heart. I am grateful for these blessings: my children, answered prayers, my friends who always seem to be there when needed… The joy of grandchildren. These aren’t listed because I think I should be grateful. These are the elements of my life that remind me how blessed I am. I sit in awe. I let go of the disappointments and the things I can’t control.
Alleluia.
by Liz | Oct 17, 2010 | main
Today’s first reading comes from Exodus 17:8-13 and tells the story of how the Israelites did battle against Amalek. Moses stood above the battle and as long as he held his hands up, Israel would win in the battle. If his arms tired and he lowered them then Amalek would do better. So — Joshua and Aaron helped Moses keep his arms raised.
We just don’t make this journey alone. Our arms grow weary. We need to rest. So, thanks be for those who help hold our arms high; thanks for those who are meant to hold their arms up and lead and thanks for those who willingly provide the support but are not called on to hold their own arms up.
We all have a place. We all have a role. And all things work to good for those who love the Lord.
Not such a deep thought — but one worth keeping in focus.
by Liz | Oct 10, 2010 | main
I have a favorite commercial right — I think is a Subaru commercial. I’m more sure it is a car company commercial.
The scene is the father leaning into the window of the parked car, saying things like: “Buckle your seat belt.” and “Are your mirrors adjusted?” The focus shifts to a young girl (maybe 7 or 8 years old) sitting in the driver’s seat, smiling at daddy, but looking a bit like she already knows all this, or knows it all. Back to dad saying “Call when you get there, but don’t use the phone while you are driving” — and then you see that she’s not a youngster, but a teenager — far more grown up than Daddy sees her.
It’s so true. Yesterday I went to my neighbor’s daughter’s wedding. Emily is a lovely young woman — a college graduate. A grown-up. The ceremony was lovely and Christ centered. But, I still see that toddler. I still see the 6 year old at my door asking if I want to buy Girl Scout cookies. Just as I often think of my own children as laughing toddlers or little ones struggling to swim all the way across the pool. I still see them running through the house with baby hooded bath towels streaming behind them like superman capes. Never mind that they are all married, home owners and 2 of the 3 have children.
I wonder – does God see that child in me? I suspect God sees through all of the grown-up trappings I put on right into the child that was fascinated by watching a cat give birth to kittens — the child who fell off the porch into a forsythia bush and was terrified by the event. And that is good.
Jesus told us that to we must become as little children to come to God. I hope I can still remember what it means to be that little child myself.
by Liz | Oct 5, 2010 | main
Today’s On Point (Public Radio) is focused on Glen Beck — prophet or demon? (show info here)
I’ve been trashed by my sister because I dislike listening to Mr. Beck. I dislike his politics. I really find it offensive that he claims to speak for Christians… because what I hear in the Gospel and have learned from an ongoing relationship with God is so very different from Mr. Beck’s approach.
I’ve been blasted by my sister because she claims I have a closed mind. She’s sure that if I just listen to Mr. Beck that I will find truth and light. And so, because I have avoided too much contact, I spent an afternoon on the net, reading transcripts of his shows and other “first person” info from and about him. Her (my sister) has no grounds to accuse me of a closed mind because I haven’t listened or read. I’ve listened and read.
The questions posed by today’s On Point broadcast bring me to the following thoughts:
- Mr. Beck may be good for America because he might inspire folks to actually look at what he is saying
- Mr. Beck has his own faith journey to follow. But, he should be very careful to proclaim that he has special knowledge about the core beliefs of Christianity. I have my own perceptions which reach very different conclusions. He probably has some elements of the essential Truth, and I probably have other elements of Truth. And, his railing against social justice issues is causing me to doubt how open he has been to the Love given us as a free gift by God.
- The idea that Satan can quote scripture with the best of us won’t go away.
And so, I find myself in the position of praying for Mr. Beck — and for all of us. That we find our way and do so without destroying each other.
by Liz | Oct 2, 2010 | main
I’m pretty good at head knowledge. No, actually I am really good at head knowledge. Maybe not as good as that man I’m married to who is well out of the normal range for IQ, but still I’m good. I took the Pew Forum Religious Knowledge quiz and scored 100% (here, try it yourself! – let me know how you did)
Heart knowledge is one I have to work on… maybe not so much to do it better, but to recognize what I do know within myself. I am really good at hiding my own feeling from myself, so I suspect I’m really good at being able to just not see what I see with my heart. Heart knowledge — I guess that’s the stuff you learn by paying attention to what your feelings/emotions are telling you. It is good to be in a place where I can know that these companions (emotions) can be as informative at times as the good old scientific data and facts from a book. It is also good to understand that just like book learning, those feelings don’t control me — but they do help me to learn what is going on.
There is one question in that quiz that gave me a brief pause — it has to do with the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church on what happens at the Consecration:
- The bread and wine become the body of Christ
- The bread and wine are symbols of the body of Christ
At one level, I consider this a no-brainer. It is a point of conflict between my protestant upbringing and my RC faith. I felt head and heart go to war — and then I realized that while I could argue semantics, I could try to pick apart the choices (of course they are symbols, but of course they are more — they come the body and blood present with us), there was that part of me that understood the meaning behind the words and most of the time can accept it. The heart won over the head… The heart remembers why I was called to this particular communion within the Christan family.
Lord — help me listen not only with my ears, but with my heart.
