Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
COMFORT OUR HEARTS WITH PEACE: DECLUTTER
SUNDAY, WEEK TWO: PEACE
As we prepare our rooms to foster more Peace this week, let’s begin by removing the clutter that detracts from it. The Peace of Christ comes to give us freedom from disturbance–freedom from worry, fear, doubt, weariness, demands, interruptions, and other pressures that upset our souls. Look around the room of your heart–where do you envision the clutter that detracts from your peace?
Perhaps you picture headlines with more bad news… a very full calendar… recent medical test results… a storm brewing outside your window… an angry text from a coworker. Some of this clutter can be mindfully remedied or reduced–but for the clutter that seems especially burdensome, we can ask the God of Peace to help us…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
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Shortly after we moved into our current home, we prioritized getting one room in order, so that in the midst of the mess, we could retreat into that room for a bit of serenity. I think Jesus had a similar idea when he said, “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). I do find that I am more peaceful and prayerful when I remove the clutter that distracts and stresses me.
Today my peace is cluttered by a new concern for Jim’s heart. Eight years ago, he had open-heart surgery to remove an aortic aneurysm and repair the aortic valve. This valve is leaking again, and his aorta is being monitored for additional expansion. Our peace is hampered by our worries about his health and a possible second surgery.
This clutter feels especially heavy, so as I ask God to help us, I remember how God helped us before. I cling to God’s promises of hope and now, peace. I try to enter that quiet space within my heart-room, that place where Peace has reigned before, to absorb God’s compassionate and steadying presence.
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
(Psalm 62:5-7)
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Is any clutter disturbing your peace today? What might you do to remove or remedy that clutter? The Peace of Christ does abide in our hearts, and we can discover this infinite and incredible Peace–even by clearing just one small space.
Bible verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
BRIGHTEN OUR HEARTS WITH HOPE: REST AND REFRESH
FRIDAY, WEEK ONE: HOPE
As we close out our week of Advent Hope, let’s rest and refresh our spirits by revisiting young Mary’s song of hope, sung early in her pregnancy:
And Mary said,
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
(Luke 1:46-50)
In her book, Home by Another Way, Barbara Brown Taylor points out that Mary sings this song of praise when “All she has is her unreasonable willingness to believe that the God who has chosen her will be part of whatever happens next–and that, apparently, is enough to make her burst into song. She does not wait to see how things will turn out first. She sings ahead of time, and all the angels with her.“
She continues… “If there are any big changes going on with you right now–if something is underway you cannot predict the end of… then you might try following Mary’s lead… While it would certainly be nice to have some details about how it will all turn out, that is not really necessary, is it?“
Mary’s hope is our hope, too. Our Hope in Christ assures us that no matter what tomorrow brings, no matter what adventures or trials may be in store, God is with us to provide direction, courage, strength, comfort, joy, and–always–loving and caring companionship.
May our hearts be refreshed with the light of Hope, the light of Christ, as we rest in this assurance. In a beautiful benediction, Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us:
“May your souls magnify the Lord, and your spirits rejoice in God your Savior… For the Mighty One has done great things for you, and holy is his name.”1
1Taylor, Barbara Brown. Home By Another Way. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1999 (pages 18-19).
Bible verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
(Photo by Karen, taken at St. Timothy’s in the Valley Episcopal Church)
BRIGHTEN OUR HEARTS WITH HOPE: FURNISH
WEDNESDAY, WEEK ONE: HOPE
This step is a fun and creative task for me–adding the finishing touches to a room. As you envision your heart-room filled with the Hope of Christ, what would you add or include? Do you think of a sprouting tulip bulb or a package of seeds? A gift of encouragement received during a trying time? A cross-stitched Bible verse or quote? A photo of the sunrise? What one special symbol of Hope might brighten and uplift your spirit?
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For my symbol of Hope, my pair of walking shoes comes to mind. Over the years, I have aged from a young jogger who could manage a 10K run each year, to a swiftly paced, five-miles-a-day hiker, to a slowly sauntering walker who now covers about two miles–on good days. 😉
So, how is this my hopeful vision? My Hope comes from knowing that no matter my pace, God’s presence has remained with me every step of the way. Each time I lace up my shoes, I know I will feel God near… I will be inspired, comforted, or encouraged… I will be nurtured by God and God’s creation. I remember the many times I have been surprised, sustained, steadied, and even spoken to on one of my daily journeys.
And as I consider the future with my aging and gradually diminishing body, my Hope comes from knowing that one day God’s presence will be with me on the final journey home.
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted,
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)
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Do you have special memories of God’s faithfulness, images of loving and supportive family and friends, or other experiences of Hope to hold in your heart today? Where do you see the Hope of Christ revealed in a tangible way? How might you shine with the tangible evidence of the Hope within you today?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Bible verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
BRIGHTEN OUR HEARTS WITH HOPE: REARRANGE
MONDAY, WEEK ONE: HOPE
Today’s task is to brighten our room by letting in more light. In what ways might you bring more light of Hope into your heart-room? Would you set a reading lamp near a comfy chair with a good book nearby? Would you light a fire in the fireplace or light a candle? Would you place a chair near the window to watch the snow falling? How might you rearrange your room or your priorities to increase the light of Hope?
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Today I choose to simply open the curtains and look beyond my inner room. Hope rises even when I see the reality of the outside world, for I also see the dawn on the horizon, the carefree spirit of the birds and chipmunks, the beauty of the season. Hope also rises because, as I open my heart to look beyond myself, greater daylight then pours in. When we rearrange our priorities and open ourselves to more of Hope’s light, we see beyond ourselves to the needs–and the beauty–of the world. And as we look outward, the light of Christ is shining in, illuminating the needs of our rooms and guiding our steps within them.
It is you who light my lamp;
the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
(Psalm 18:28)
I then open a dark closet, and I am reminded of childhood moments when I sat in the corner of my bedroom closet, hiding away. That small dark space was my sanctuary of solitude and stillness. There is a place for darkness within the light of Hope, I think to myself.
I leave the closet dark.
In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. –Francis Bacon
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The light of Christ is our Hope. How will you foster more of this light into your room, your life? Is there a space for quiet darkness to remain? May Hope fill your room to overflowing–then pour out through your open window as a beacon for all to see.
Bible verse is NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
BRIGHTEN OUR HEARTS WITH HOPE: DECLUTTER
SUNDAY, WEEK ONE: HOPE
God’s love revealed through Jesus remains with us on this earthly journey, giving us hope amid all of life’s joys and trials. Hope is the faith that we are beloved by God, who can lighten our days, illuminate our paths, and guide us into brighter tomorrows. During this week of Hope, let’s give our heart-rooms more space and light for Hope to grow. (For simplicity, I will use the words “room” or “space” to mean our heart, soul, inner being, or spirit.)
Our first step is to clear the clutter in our room. What clutters your hope? What burdens remain in the recesses of your heart that obscure any hopeful glimmers? Does a lingering memory cast a shadow of discouragement? Do you notice a recent disappointment, an ongoing problem… or a waning faith?
Hope does abide in this room; what particular clutter keeps it from flourishing?
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Today I find that my hope-diminishing clutter is a sense of resignation or futility, especially about the larger problems of our world, the ones in which I feel helpless—and then hopeless. I long for a world of peace and goodwill for all, but my hope is hampered by practical resignation (we have struggled from the start) and by an unattainable resolution (at least in this life).
The prophet Micah helps me with this clutter, for he also wrestles in this earthly threshold between resignation and resolution.
But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
(Micah 7:7)
Micah’s words of hope actually come after his lament of grief and despair over the corruption of Judah, beginning with, “Woe is me!” Micah finds his hope, even as he waits, in God’s steadfast love and salvation. He will keep looking to God, waiting for God, trusting in God to hear him, and in doing so, he will remain faithful to his mission of forming Judah into a nation of justice and mercy–no matter the outcome.
We too, can continue our faithful work with hope as we “look to the Lord… and wait.” Because the Hope of God in Christ now remains with us–while we dwell in this earthly threshold between resignation and resolution.
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What clutter steals your hope, darkens the light of Christ? Is it time to ask God to help you break it down and take it away? God, who is steadfast love and salvation, who became incarnate to dwell among us, is present right now to hear us, hold us, help us–and to give us a roomful of hope.
Bible verse is NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
(Photo by Karen)
PREPARING ROOM–ADVENT 2023 (INTRODUCTION)
In these past months, we were blessed with visits from dear friends and family members, and I found a special delight as I prepared our spare bedroom for their overnight stays. While I cleaned and dusted, changed the bedding, set out towels, provided extra toiletry items, and decorated for the autumn season, I envisioned the comfort of our guests and the joy of our time together. I wanted each of them to sense how happy we were to have them with us, how important they are to us, how I hoped they felt contented and comfortable. I especially wanted them to know they are always welcome and wanted here.
I have been reflecting on this idea as the Advent season approaches. We often consider this season as a time of preparation, a time to prepare our hearts to receive Christ Jesus once again. And since Jesus has already come, we have access to every gift he offers—especially the Advent gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Wouldn’t it be lovely if he would find our hearts fully prepared with the gifts he has so generously shared with us?
In this year’s Advent reflections, we will consider how we might prepare our hearts much like we would prepare our homes. What might we do to make our hearts a welcoming space? What kind of furnishings would we have? What special touches would we add, what extra efforts would we make? How might we create a heart-room that fosters the comfort of Jesus and enhances the joy of our time together?
Each week, we will consider four tasks within the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love:
~ Clear the clutter (Sunday)
~ Organize or rearrange the space (Monday)
~ Furnish or decorate the room (Wednesday)
~ Rest to be refreshed and ready for his arrival (Friday)
My prayer is that these reflections will enhance your Advent preparations. I am grateful for your presence here!
(Photo by Karen)
THE GRACE OF GRATITUDE
I am wondering… do you feel as I do, a bit reluctant to be joyfully grateful this Thanksgiving?
I have many blessings–for which I am very thankful–but I am also concerned about those who are enduring terrible circumstances; the immense grief and loss from wars, disasters, and other tragedies; the painful awareness of our nation’s broken and often hateful history; some family concerns and sadnesses. I have been feeling as if I would be short-sighted and selfish to celebrate my blessings while others are lacking… my contentment when others are suffering… my joy when others are grieving.
Then a few days ago, I read this article from Greater Good and was reminded that gratitude has several aspects–and I had been neglecting the full significance of gratitude:
Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, argues that gratitude has two key components, which he describes in a Greater Good essay, “Why Gratitude Is Good.”
“First,” he writes, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.”
In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”
Emmons and other researchers see the social dimension as being especially important to gratitude. “I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion,“ writes Emmons, “because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”
Because gratitude encourages us not only to appreciate gifts but to repay them (or pay them forward), the sociologist Georg Simmel called it “the moral memory of mankind.” This is how gratitude may have evolved: by strengthening bonds between members of the same species who mutually helped each other out.1
This Thanksgiving, may I be mindful of each aspect of gratitude as I thank God for every goodness in my life. May I be:
Joyfully grateful
for these bonus days of living,
for my precious family and friends,
for my home and all good gifts,
for the beauty of creation,
for the love of God.
Humbly grateful
for all good gifts, unmerited, undeserved, given by grace alone,
for dear ones who have freely loved and encouraged me,
for helpful servants who have taught, healed, mentored, or inspired,
for all who work for the betterment of the world.
Generously grateful
for every gift I can share with others,
for a spirit of kindness and compassion,
for each caring community in the world,
for the wisdom to steward all of creation.
Tearfully grateful
for the friends and mentors who have gone before,
for our laughter, love, and life together,
for the beautiful promise of eternity.
Hopefully grateful
for the assurance that God is always present, always loving,
for the goodness that awaits, remains, and overcomes,
for the guidance to make the world a little better,
and for the dawning of each new day.
1https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition
(Photo by Karen)
REFLECTIONS OF GOODNESS–WEEK TWO
(Each November, Sarah E. Westfall invites writers to notice and share the goodness they find in the small moments of the day, using the tag, #liturgyofthelittlethings on Instagram. These were my reflections from the week.)
November 9th
READY FOR THE SEASON
Nature seems to be starting early with its Christmas decorating. My longing, ready heart says, “Bring it on!”
I am grateful for the gifts of Christmas that nature brings to mind–the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love–and to recognize that these gifts of goodness are always with us, for every day, in every season.
November 10th
I had a delightful surprise that is perfect for today’s #liturgyofthelittlethings post! Two marvelously creative artists, my son-in-law, @rial_rye and my Instagram friend, @jefferywilcoxpaclipan are contributors for the Little Things Exhibit @swancoachhousegallery from now until January 4th.
Both of these artists have wonderful works, and their background stories and spirits are inspirational as well. I encourage you to learn more about them on their Instagram profiles!
November 14th
As autumn glory fades and falls
to carpet earthly ground
but winter snows have not yet come
with whiteness all around
then sweet November brings the frost
to trim the leaves below
with dainty decoration
between the blaze and snow.
November 15th
Between the peaks and valleys,
on the hillsides where we spend
so many of our earthly days,
how might we better tend
ourselves, our souls, our spirits
to flourish and to grow?
How do we nurture and maintain
between each high and low?
May we know just where to cling
and let our roots grow deep,
so when the storms of life rain down
this hillside long and steep,
we do not lose our footing
nor let go and wash away
but absorb what is essential
to thrive another day.
November 16th
While walking around our community cemetery, I was drawn to this gravestone. The name, Adkins, is part of my history, my heritage. And even as I don’t know this person, after reading the beautiful words I know we are eternally kindred. We are united through spirit, we are lovers of nature, we are the ones who have found our peace in the sanctuary of the earth’s grandeur.
PEACE OF MIND
Peace of mind is to breathe the air
at the top of a West Virginia mountain,
to watch a red autumn leaf float
lazily down a crystal river;
a campfire on a hill for all for miles to see.
In my mind I think of times left behind,
in the mountains of Appalachia,
where rivers run like liquid crystal
and mountains reach to touch the sky.
To climb a mountain and look off on
all there is to see gives one of the
greatest feelings of all, those of
love, peace and tranquility.
The mountain looks so rough and rugged
like the mighty warriors
guarding sacred valleys of the sun,
but to those who know the mountains
as I do, see them as the mother of us all,
who gives us love, life
and our peace of mind.
~ D.B.A.
(Photos by Karen)
SUNBEAM MOMENTS
On a recent hike up Meek’s Mountain, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon these sunbeams lighting my path ahead! I regarded the scene as holy, and several familiar Bible verses came to mind…
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I thought about how lovely it would be to have sunbeams lighting our way, guiding our path each day. To have the visible assurance that we are headed in the right direction, that God’s presence goes with us, that God is pleased to lead the way. When I reached the sunbeams, I paused to center myself in the sacredness of the moment, in the quiet joy of feeling immersed in God’s presence on this holy ground. And as I then resumed my hike, I turned to look back at the scene, longing to take it in one more time…
I couldn’t see the sunbeams.
The beams of light reflected in the mist were only visible from my earlier perspective on the path. Had I been hiking from the opposite direction, I could have been standing in a “sunbeam blessing” yet never have known. So much of how we see life depends on our viewpoint, our perspective.
An integral part of our faithful journey is to recognize that there is always more to life “than meets the eye.” Every moment might be a holy one, every step a guided one. Maybe the place we are standing on is holy ground, even if we aren’t quite positioned to see the sunbeams. This is the gift and essence of our faith–the peace and hope we can have in this present moment–as we trust that one day, our new perspective will reveal the blessing held within it.
Photos by Karen
All verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
REFLECTIONS OF GOODNESS–WEEK ONE
Each November, Sarah E. Westfall invites writers to notice and share the goodness they find in the small moments of the day, using the tag, #liturgyofthelittlethings on Instagram. These were my reflections from the week.
November 1st
On this All Saints’ Day
I lovingly recall
those who have gone before
but who always remain
through
love poured
wisdom shared
humility lived
grace extended
and
joy remembered.
November 2nd
Our local grandchildren live in a neighborhood that isn’t conducive for trick-or-treating, so we are fortunate to have another neighborhood near us that is. These generous people make Halloween special with lots of decorations and candy. We are grateful that our grandchildren have a fun place to go–along with about 300 other young people!
Last year, I began the practice of walking the neighborhood on November 1st to pick up any trash left behind. This small gesture is simply one of gratitude in return for their kindness.
But today I’m mindful
of the good people
who clean up messes,
not once a year,
not in return for a kindness,
not with recognition or reward.
The good people
who are not the mess makers,
but the ones who
regularly and humbly
clean up after them.
Thank you.
November 3rd
Normally this feather would have gone unnoticed, but today it has significance…
A few days ago, I read a post from a writer friend, who had found a similar feather on her daily walk. As she journeys through cancer treatments, this simple gift was a precious symbol of goodness and hope, reminding her of Emily Dickinson’s words,
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul…”
And so, today this feather immediately brought my friend to mind. I don’t know exactly how God works, but as I whispered a prayer for her, I sensed a holy purpose…
a few words written and received,
two writers walking similar paths,
and this one small feather,
connecting us
across time and distance,
inviting me to pray.
November 5th
There is a nest within my soul
where Love abides to stay.
A shelter from the storms of life,
a place to hide away.
There is a nest within my soul
though weathered now, and worn,
but Love finds this a perfect space
in which to be reborn.
There is a nest within my soul
now open to the sky.
For Love has brought me to this place
where I can freely fly.
November 6th
GOING FIRST
With courage to be colorful
and strength to stand apart,
may I make each day wonder-full;
your joy and peace impart.
Transform me in your love so bright
to shine with vivid hue,
and fill my soul with radiant light–
reflecting only you.
Oh, let me never hesitate
to be the first to start,
if I can help initiate
more love in every heart.
November 7th
This morning’s moment of goodness was a quiet pause underneath the pines.
“In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures.”
~ Cynthia Rylant
November 8th
OPEN
I wonder what this day will bring;
will something new arrive?
Will my soul soon begin to sing,
or struggle to survive?
Whatever this day holds for me,
my heart’s an open door.
For I hope there will always be
a place for love to pour.
Simply Soul Searching 