Silence

Silence, unless the reason for speech will bear the searchlight of Eternity (Amy Carmichael).

I don't know if I'll ever reach this standard! But I can work on it a little today.

Depression after the elections

It's interesting that my last blog (so long ago) said that I don't believe God has a "plan" for us. I continue in that belief, but as bleak as things may seem at times, Tom Ehrich's words today remind me why I am an optimist about life. He says, "I know that things get better - if I allow myself to see God at work. I know that joy and meaning don't come from successfully managing the particulars of life, but from God... Whatever life throws at us, God redeems. Not because we toed a line and earned God's favor."

May everyone who reads this post sense joy and meaning.

Images of God

My readings today encourage me to find the images of God that most speak to me. God as mother and father, God as life giving water... And then one sentence from Tom Erlich's message for today grabs me. "I don't believe God has a "plan" for me, but rather a desire."

I just read the most beautiful post by Callid Keefe-Perry called Bird Shadows/Holy Spirit. He blogs at The Image of Fish if you want to check it out.
This is the part that I most loved:
"... sights of the shadow of a bird flitting
by the sill near the bed of an aging Grace,
who can no longer move but counts herself
lucky because at least she can still see.
This is my God:
expectant and grinning
wild and near."
I hope Mr. Keefe-Perry doesn't mind my quoting him!
Open my eyes today, God, to the shadow of the bird flitting by the sill of wherever I am.

Lenten reading

Lent is almost over and I must say I have stuck it out with John Donne although it hasn't been easy. Today one of the phrases in his sermon gave me food for thought. He says, "How ever long you live, how ever long you lie sick, you die a sudden death if you never thought of it."

Distances and intimacies

During this Lenten season I have been starting each day by reading a short passage or two which I then try to carry with me in my mind during the day. The main source I chose is turning out to be difficult for me. I chose readings from John Donne, who lived from 1532 to 1631, and although beautifully written, the passages tend to deal heavily with sin and rooting out evil in ourselves. This is all well and good, especially during Lent, but I find that readings based on the premise that creation is good resonate more with me.
Anyway, yesterday a supplementary reading made such an impression on me that I decided to return to this blog, which I have long neglected, to comment on it. It was a passage from a person named Phillip Bennett, source unknown. I do not know who Phillip is or was. The phrase reads, "Draw me deeper into this dance of love where our distances touch and our intimacy leaves sacred space for all."
That is my overall wish for everyone for Lent - may we be conscious of making our distances touch by seeing the divine in everyone with whom we cross paths. And may that vision of the Holy One present in all living beings inspire such awe in us, that we are careful to leave sacred space in our dealings with everyone.
Readers and loved ones, may this wish be true for you today!