Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
SPIRITUAL SPACES
When we moved into our current home six years ago, I had the movers place my desk in a corner between our kitchen and living area. At the time, I felt that this location would be sufficient until I could move the desk to a bedroom and have a separate office for my writing space. Now I no longer wish to do that. These six years of reflecting, writing, praying, and journaling in this corner have created an atmosphere that fosters my creativity. When I sit down at my desk, my spirit quietly settles, becoming more readily reflective and open to inspiration.
I notice similar feelings about our back porch. As long as the seasons allow, Jim and I have our early morning coffee, devotional readings, and prayer in our cozy outdoor space before we begin our day. We gather again before dinner to chat over beverages. Each time I head out to our porch, I can feel my spirit slowing, relaxing, opening to God and nature. This is the space where I am invited to simply BE.
And one day on my walk at Valley Park, I impulsively stopped to pray in the outdoor amphitheater. This spot is now a spiritual stopping point on my walks, a moment of sanctuary where I pause to consider the day and my life’s journey within it.
God is omnipresent, not confined within sanctuaries or designated spaces. But our spiritual spaces help foster our sense of God’s presence with us. Perhaps this is another reason that Jesus tells us, “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.” A place set apart to pause and pray in solitude can become a sacred space, a place in which we let our thoughts ebb, our hearts open, and our awareness deepen.
The whole inhabited earth is sacred space in which God lives, breathes, and acts. ~ Carter Heyward
Yes, “the whole inhabited earth is sacred space…” and our personal daily sanctuaries give us room to pause, remember, and notice this holy presence of God, around us and within us.
The Bible verse is Matthew 6:6 (NRSVUE), found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photos by Karen
SECOND THOUGHT: GLIMMERS OF LIGHT
(Additional reflections on this week’s earlier post, Glimmers of Light, with a nod to Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening)
As I walked through the forest green,
within the darkness there was seen
small glimmers of your radiant light,
a light so hopeful and serene.
You guide my steps with love so bright
and draw me near, so that I might
find calm within the stormy fray,
feel peace within your watchful sight.
So, as we journey on each day,
may everything I do and say
become your opportunity
to bless another on the way.
Oh God, reveal your love through me;
reveal yourself in all I see.
For you are here–above, behind,
below, within–and soaring free.
Remain within my soul and mind
so everywhere I seek, I’ll find
your holy presence, pure and kind,
your holy presence, pure and kind.
(Photo by Karen)
GLIMMERS OF LIGHT
While hiking along Meek’s Mountain, surrounded by lush green darkness, I noticed these glimmers of light on the leaves. They radiated hope for my discouraged soul…
Recent weeks have felt heavy for Jim and me. He and other high school teachers were told to remove signs that designated their classrooms as “safe spaces”–places where students are welcome and free from harassment (largely because of their gender or orientation). We feel even more compelled to stand up for social justice, to offer refuge and inclusion, to serve with compassion, kindness, and love. I and many others have spoken before county commissioners and school boards; Jim has affirmed, comforted, and encouraged others as a teacher, pastor, and friend. Yet it seems that the loudest and angriest voices are the ones being heard and heeded, and at times we can become weary or discouraged.
These patches of sunlight in the dark woods have inspired me to keep watch for other glimmers of light, those soft yet radiant glimmers of hope we can find when we are attentive.
I find hopeful glimmers of light in teachers who wear tee shirts that display both solidarity and inclusivity; in young students who courageously share their stories before these often-volatile public meetings; in groups who work for social justice; in other stories of perseverance and progress; and in sacred words of inspiration, such as:
God loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. *
These small patches of sunlight have inspired me to provide glimmers of light, too.
Jim and I (and other teachers and students) are wearing rainbow-hued wristbands. We have no expectation that wearing these will change another’s opinion. We simply hope to quietly and visibly let others know that we are with them, supporting and standing with them. I hope that my words today will be another glimmer of light for those who struggle for acceptance.
Friends, if you are feeling alone, misunderstood, afraid, or rejected, please know that so many of us are with you and love you. The One who created you is with you and loves you. Completely.
The woods may seem so dark and deep, but one small glimmer of light will shine–ever so gently, ever so softly–yet ever so brightly with radiant hope. May each glimmer encourage and sustain us, so that we too, may brighten other paths with glimmers of encouraging hope.
(One of the signs that had to be removed, made by our friend, Jill. Photo credit unknown.)
* Bible verse is Psalm 33:5, NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Nature photo by Karen
SECOND THOUGHT: REVEALING GOD’S KINGDOM
(Additional reflections on Monday’s post, Revealing God’s Kingdom)
One of my favorite children’s books is Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney. The story tells of Alice Rumphius, who as a young girl would hear her grandfather’s stories of faraway places and declare, “When I grow up, I too will go to faraway places and when I grow old, I too will live beside the sea.”
To which her grandfather would add, “There is a third thing you must do… you must do something to make the world more beautiful.” 1
After a lifetime of adventures and now an older woman, Miss Rumphius looks upon her beautiful garden of lupines and wishes she could plant more of them, but a season of illness and winter weather keep her from doing so. Yet, the following spring, she is surprised to discover lupines growing over the next hill! The winds and birds had helped scatter the seeds. Miss Rumphius then begins to scatter lupine seeds wherever she goes, and by the following spring there are lupines growing everywhere.
She had helped the world become more beautiful.
Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how...”
We can freely and generously scatter the seeds of God’s goodness, trust the winds of the Spirit to carry them, let the seasons of Creation nurture them. We may not know how the seeds will sprout and grow, but we do not work alone. We can joyfully, simply open our hearts and hands to share the love of God–and together, make the world more beautiful.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” —Desmond Tutu
1Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. New York: Penguin Books, 1982. Print.
(This story is fictional, although there seems to be an actual woman who scattered lupines in Maine.)
The bible passage is Mark 4:26-27 NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
REVEALING GOD’S KINGDOM
A friend once shared with me his vision of our eternal heavenly kingdom as a time when we will get to see all the good differences we have made for others, especially the differences we may not have known.
I was reminded of this last week when writing a note of gratitude. I had recently discovered the podcast, The Stories Between Us, with Shawn and Maile Smucker. Their podcast includes interviews and conversations about the writing life, and each episode has inspired and motivated me to “Keep writing!” as they say. Their last episode was aired on June 1st, so I wrote to tell them that they may have finished their podcasts, but their good work would continue as I now listen and learn. I closed my email by sharing my friend’s vision of heaven with Shawn and Maile, adding, “Today, I want to give you a sneak preview on ‘this side of heaven’. You have made a good difference for me.”
The next day I received a grateful email from Shawn, letting me know that my words of encouragement were just what they needed that week.
Jesus often said that the kingdom of God is here with us now. We can make this kingdom more visible each time we use our gifts to help one another; encouraging, comforting, enabling, accompanying. We can also point out more of God’s good kingdom by describing the ways we notice God’s presence in our lives; how we sense God is moving, where we see God in creation, what we hear God saying in our conversations and studies.
And we can reveal more of God’s kingdom by thanking those who have revealed a bit of it to us.
Maybe you remember a past kindness that now brings another smile. Or a dedicated teacher who encouraged you along the way. Or a friend who quietly listened. As different mentors, different moments come to mind, perhaps we are being nudged to let them know the ways they have made good differences in our lives. In returning their kindness, we are extending the goodness of the kingdom once again.
Through noticing, sharing, or returning God’s goodness and love, we help reveal God’s present and heavenly kingdom. Each small glimpse, each story of faith, each word of gratitude, helps to spread more of this eternal joy and gladness among us… within us… here and now.
If you would like to hear Shawn and Maile’s podcasts or check out their other offerings, visit: https://www.thestoriesbetweenus.com/
(Photo by Karen)
SECOND THOUGHT: VENTURING…
(Additional reflections on Monday’s post, VENTURING OUT–OR NOT)
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33 NRSVUE)
After Jesus rescued him from the water, Peter then stayed on the boat with the other disciples and worshiped Jesus. If I were in Peter’s situation, I would feel embarrassed by my failure. And if Jesus had asked, “Why did you doubt?” as he pulled me up, I would feel desperate to redeem myself, to have a second chance to prove my faith and trust in him. With a moment to rest and regroup–and in a now calmer sea–I would have pleaded, “Oh, let me try again!” Instead, it seems that Peter set aside any shame or need to prove himself, and simply turned to Jesus in love and gratitude.
You may also remember that when Peter later sees Jesus–newly resurrected–cooking breakfast on the shore, he eagerly jumps from the boat and swims to him (John 21). Peter didn’t see this as an opportunity to redeem himself by trying to walk on the water again. Reacting from his heart, not his ego, he swam across the sea, driven by the sheer joy of reuniting with his rabbi and friend.
I can so easily forget that with all our frailties and flaws, we are still fully loved. We are loved, not because of our perfect efforts, but because God IS perfect love. We can let go of our need to defend or justify ourselves and simply be grateful. We can imperfectly serve God with pure joy and love, unconcerned about ego or image, and at times, even through imperfect acts of foolish exuberance.
Whether we walk or swim, succeed or fail, our perfect God sees our efforts, knows our hearts–and loves us still.
Bible verses are found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen, Bar Harbor, ME
VENTURING OUT (OR NOT)
As Jim and I were quietly exploring St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, I turned into a small corner of the sanctuary and came upon this stained-glass image of Jesus rescuing fearful Peter from the water. Tears suddenly filled my eyes, for I recognized this as a God-moment. Back in January, when I chose my guiding word for this year–Venture–I had also chosen a few verses from this Bible story to enrich the meaning of my word:
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. *
In choosing these verses, I have hoped to find the wisdom to recognize when my discernment is of God: “Lord, if it is you…”
And I have hoped to find the courage to venture–get out of the boat–when I sense that I have been invited to “Come.”
As I now revisit the rest of the story, I’m reminded that Peter had wisely discerned that it was Jesus who called him, and Peter had found the courage to get out of the boat–the very things I hope to do. And yet, he still became fearful when the storm raged on. Like Peter, our discernments may be filled with prayerful certainty, but upon venturing out we can encounter trouble and turbulence. We too, may begin to flounder when new challenges raise our fears and doubts.
And like Peter, we can call out to Jesus for help.
I find one more gift here. Jesus questioned why Peter doubted him, but he didn’t scold Peter and say, “Now go out there and try again!” Instead, Jesus brought Peter safely back to the boat. Jesus recognized this as a time not to compel, but to comfort.
When we prayerfully and courageously step out in faith, only to encounter difficulties that raise our fears and doubts, we can still turn to God in Christ for help. God knows our holy longings, but God also knows our circumstances and obstacles. As you listen to your soul today, do you hear God encouraging you to keep trying–or do you feel God leading you back to safe harbor?
Take heart. Whether we venture out at God’s invitation, or abide securely in God’s comfort, God’s presence remains with us. Is there any better place we could be?
(Photo by Karen, Kennebunkport, ME)
* Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
(Matthew 14:22-33 NRSVUE)
Bible passage found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
SECOND THOUGHT: HOW LONG…
FINISH LINE
When I can’t see the finish line
nor even ’round the bend,
I wish that you would tell me
how this is going to end.
When every step is painful,
my spirit’s fading fast,
that anxious question haunts me:
How long will this part last?
It’s then that I remember
how in my times of fear,
in sorrow, pain, or anguish
your presence felt so near.
You drew me ever closer
and peaceful vigil kept,
giving me a breath of hope
to take another step.
The path may seem uncertain,
the journey long and rough,
but you are right here with me
and that will be enough.
No matter where I venture,
the finish line’s in view,
for you’re my destination:
my goal is always YOU.
(This new Friday series, ON SECOND THOUGHT, replaces A PICTURE AND A POEM and will offer additional reflections on Monday’s posts. The structure may vary–there may be a poem, a prayer, a benediction, a quote, or other thoughts on the meditation. My prayer is always that these will serve you well.)
Photo by Karen, Bar Harbor, ME
HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?
My sister Janet had cautioned us that the path around Jordan Pond would be challenging, but Jim and I set out with confidence. We had our hiking sticks and walking shoes. We had our strength and stamina from regularly hiking farther than the distance around this pond. We knew to follow Janet’s helpful suggestion: start early and go counterclockwise to accomplish the harder portion first. We were well-prepared and positive!
Janet had also warned us that we would encounter boulders along our way–but I had not anticipated such large boulders, nor how long the boulder-strewn path would continue. Several times I struggled for balance, my walking stick slipped into a few crevices, and Jim would gasp behind me and warn, “Be careful, Honey!” As we continued to climb and clamber, my hip ached and my spirit sagged.
My constant inner question was, “How long will this last?”
Later, as I reflected on our experience, I began to sense that much of our difficulty came from this uncertainty. We didn’t know how long we would endure these boulders; the trees and curves on our path kept us from seeing very far ahead. I felt that if only we could have seen where the path would become level and smooth again, we could have held our goal in sight, and I would have been more inspired and encouraged for this leg of our journey.
But maybe not.
I may have found that the boulders continued for a much longer distance. I may have discovered additional obstacles after the boulders. I may have become more discouraged and prompted to turn back. We then would have missed the beauty that was still before us.
And so it is when we are enduring any of life’s difficult trials. The question, “How long will this last?” can fill our every thought. Often, we cannot know; the time frames of life are not always precise nor predictable. How many more treatments will I need? How long will this pain linger? When will I find a job? Will there ever be relief? How long must I wait for answers? We can feel almost desperate to know–and yet afraid to know.
How do we continue on in our times of uncertainty, pain, heartache, or struggle? How do we endure?
As Jim and I learned on our hike, we take the very next step. We pause to rest and breathe. We watch for the beauty. We go with encouraging companions. We help one another along the way. We feel God holding, guiding, and providing us with strength and sustenance in each moment. We carry with us the hope of a better, brighter day…
and we trust that it will come.
With God as our resting place, we can run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
There will always be a race.
And there will always be a resting place.1
(Photos by Karen and Jim; Jordan Pond, Bar Harbor, ME)
1Rubietta, Jane. Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats. Intervarsity Press, 2005.
“SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER”
My Reader Friends,
I will be pausing my regular posts for these next weeks, but for all good reasons. The remaining summer days will be filled with family times, travel times, and more in-depth writing times!
Thank you for your companionship here; I am deeply grateful and honored that you take the time to read and reflect. I hope you will find many gifts and joys in our time “apart”.
I wish for you this lovely blessing from John O’Donohue.1
For Equilibrium, a Blessing:
Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.
As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.
Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.
As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.
As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.
As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.
May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.
Take care and know that I hold you in my heart.
1John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
Post title, “See You in September” comes from a song of the same name written by Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards
(Photo by Karen)
Simply Soul Searching 