Simply Soul Searching

Monday Moment, June 10th

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4 (NRSV)

My morning walk was absolutely glorious. After a long winter, I relished walking in the warm sunshine, under blue skies, alongside greens and blossoms and blooms. I appreciated the freedom of less outerwear- no cap, mittens, or coat. My pace slowed as I enjoyed the morning. I had no need to hurry home to escape the cold. I was exuberant! On mornings like this, I can’t wait to put on my walking shoes.

But oh, there are days when the winter temperatures chill my bones, or the miserable rains soak my clothes, or the gusty winds hamper my pace. I am uninspired to get out there, and if I do, the joy isn’t readily found.

And so it is with our daily living. There are some days so filled with pleasures and plans that we awaken early, joyfully eager to get on with the day. But we also have those other days that we would rather not face at all- let alone walk through them with joy.

How do we keep walking, how do we persevere when our days are dreary, challenging or burdensome? How might we experience the serenity, peace, presence, freedom and joy found in my springtime walk through ALL seasons of life?

Over the years I have learned several ways to encourage myself to walk with joy through all kinds of weather. These practices may foster our perseverance and joy through all days and seasons of life as well.

I find it helpful to…

Remember the reasons why I walk. My walking routine isn’t just a random decision each day. I know I need to walk for my health. I also walk to be inspired for writing. I walk to unwind and de-stress. I walk to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. When I remember the benefits I will receive by getting out there, I remain motivated to do so.

In the same way, we have a purpose for living. We are here to be all that God has created us to be; to live in love, to serve God, and to serve one another. Whether our days are dreary and dismal or glorious and graced, we can live each one in the awareness that we are serving as a unique part of God’s greater plan. We have a reason for being! Knowing that we matter to God will help us to persevere with joy.

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.   (Ephesians 2:10)

Prepare for the weather. When I take time to dress for the weather and step out fully prepared, my walk is more enjoyable and comfortable. I am ready to face whatever the weather brings.

Paul has wise words for us to prepare for each day. When we take the time to clothe ourselves in the goodness of God, we are better equipped to face whatever the day may bring. We will have all that we need to weather every moment with grace and peace.

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.   (Colossians 3:12-14)

Watch for the hidden or unexpected beauty in every day. The different seasons and days bless me with a splendid variety of color, scenery and inspirations of nature. My walk may be be cold, but the snow gently blankets the world in purest white. The wind may sting, but the trees serve as examples of flexibility and grace in times of turmoil. The rain may soak my feet, but the plants rejoice in a cleansing, refreshing shower.

When we seek the hidden gifts in each and every day, we will also uncover joy. Some gifts we may not fully comprehend until we live in eternity. Some gifts may be revealed as unexpected peace or clarity from God through turmoil and trial. Some gifts may add humor to an unpleasant situation. When we take a deeper look at what is in order to see what might be, we often find blessings of comfort, insight, hope, and yes, even joy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  (Matthew 5:8)

Make walking a regular habit. I have been walking for years, so this practice has become ingrained in my being, a regular part of my day that I rarely debate or question. Walking is such an integral part of my morning routine that when I am unable to walk, I feel a sense of loss.

Jesus knew the importance of a regular prayer time with God. In the gospel of Luke alone, there are several passages that tell of his time apart to pray. Jesus endured many days with terrible trials and persecutions, and he needed this time alone with God for help, guidance, strength and obedience. Our daily prayers will help us center ourselves in God- for all that the day holds.

But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.    (Luke 5:15-16)

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God.   (Luke 6:12)

 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”   (Luke 9:18)

Invite God along. When I walk, I ask God to accompany me. I often ask, “What would you have me know today?” My time passes quickly as I pray, ponder and feel the presence of Christ. I find peace, comfort, discernment and joy during my time alone with God.

God is always with us. But when we “invite” God’s presence into our day, we open ourselves to notice and appreciate that presence more deeply and fully.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?
    Or where can I flee from your presence?   (Psalm 139:1-7)

Remember that better days are coming. As I continue to walk through the cold winter days, I walk with the hopeful assurance that spring will return. In fact, I know that all of my walks through the cold, windy, and wet winter months will bring even greater joy to my delightful springtime walks.

We get a glimpse of this greater joy in the book of James. If we give our earthly trials and difficulties to God, God can use them to bless and perfect us.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.   (James 1:2-4)

Imagine how good I will feel once I arrive home. As I set out on those cold, wet mornings, I anticipate a warm shower and hot cup of coffee once I return to our cozy home.  I imagine how wonderful this will feel and how thankful I will be to have my walk accomplished for the day.

Our earthly paths will be winding and at times, unclear. Our paths will take us through both storms and splendor, cold and calm, difficulty and delight. But our paths will lead us all to one glorious heaven. In the midst of our trials, we can anticipate the one awesome home that will be ours to enjoy for eternity. In this we can find our complete joy.

So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.   (John 16:22)

~ All Scripture verses from BibleGateway.com (NRSV)

~ Photos taken by Karen at Swan Creek Metropark, Toledo and Pearson Park, Oregon

Monday Moment, June 3rd

Last week, my dear friends- the ministry/office staff of St. John- took me to lunch as I was finishing up my time and position there. As we were eating, Pastor Michael invited the staff to share some of the things they most appreciated about me. They didn’t know this at the time, but I had words of affirmation for each of them as well, written in a letter I left for them back at the office.

What a treasured gift this was! I came away from our time together feeling~

Noticed. As each friend named certain specific qualities they saw in me, I realized that I wasn’t just another person filling a position. The ways in which I served had been an asset to the team. My role and gifts had made a unique difference. In their noticing, I learned that I did have a special purpose in serving with them, albeit for a short season.

Appreciated. In all of our words to one another, there was profound gratitude. Our obvious affection and appreciation for one another became more apparent as we shared our memories and joys of serving together in ministry. The rich blessing of friendship is a wonderful reason to be thankful.

Encouraged. There are times when we might be discouraged in our vocations, or we may overlook the special gifts we use in service for others. When we are reminded of our individual, unique, God-given traits and how they have impacted others, we are inspired and motivated to use them even more.

Guided. Michael asked me what new plans I have in mind, and I shared a dream I hope to pursue in my writing. He offered a suggestion to write with a particular perspective- and it was the same approach that I had been considering! His suggestion helped to confirm which direction I should take. The Spirit often moves through others, and I thanked him for being prompted to speak when the idea came to him.

Peaceful. Most of all, I had this peace that no matter what might happen to any of us, we had said the words that needed to be said. We had acknowledged with one another how our relationships and time together mattered. Our friendship was of God. I knew that if I were to die tomorrow, each of us would be thankful that nothing remained unspoken. These times are like being able to enjoy our own eulogy!

May we learn to affirm one another as if today was our last chance. Most likely it won’t be, but then our words will bless others to live their future days feeling noticed, appreciated, encouraged, guided and peaceful. May we consider the words we would use for a farewell blessing at the end of life and say them now- that they may serve as a blessing of encouragement for this day, and all the days yet to come.

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other...  (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NRSV)

(Photo: This mug is another treasured gift the staff gave me. Pastor Michael says these words quite often! God IS good…)

Monday Moment, May 27th

Springtime in West Virginia is so lovely! Crocuses, tulips and daffodils rise up to border and brighten my walking path. Dogwood and Redbud trees add sprinkles of white and purple among the green hills. Colorful peonies gift us with a delightful fragrance from their beautiful blooms. Except for the sneezing, I love this time of year!

The gradual opening of buds into blooms offers a new message for me this season.

After the cold and often harsh winter, a tightly-enclosed bud waits until the conditions are right for emerging from its protective enclosure. The bud senses that there is both enough light and enough warmth to open and flourish. Its vulnerable blooms are slowly exposed as the sunlight increases and consequently, temperatures warm.

Once fully open, the revealed flower shows its true beauty with all who pass by; it shares its nectar and pollen with bees, birds and other small creatures; it casts its delightful fragrance upon the breeze. The blooming flower fulfills its glorious purpose- that of bringing its unique beauty and sweetness to other living things.

I wonder how many of us have a self-protective tendency to remain enclosed within our buds, hiding under layers of cultural norms, religious doctrines, societal expectations or family systems. We refrain from revealing our own search for truth and purpose by keeping our questions, doubts, brokenness, insights, hopes, or dreams to ourselves. We choose to spare ourselves from the embarrassment, judgment, or exclusion that might result from our honest seeking.

We are so fortunate when we have a place to belong, with people who love us as we are. We develop into our true selves when we have a safe space to wrestle with our doubts, ask the deeper questions, and wonder about possibilities without feeling threatened or diminished. We heal and flourish as God’s creation when we have people who accept us and embrace us as is, with all of our wounds, quirks, and questions.

What if our faith communities fostered the conditions that are conducive for blooming? What if we became the warm, light, gentle atmosphere that would enable people to reveal their fully-human identity, to share their broken and beautiful souls, to risk being vulnerable? In doing so, they would be able to explore their God-created identity, realize their God-given purpose, and discover their God-fashioned beauty.

One heavenly day we will enjoy a fellowship where all of our true, diverse and unique purposes are fully revealed, as well as fully embraced and appreciated. Until that day, how might we encourage one another to open up our protective buds and fully bloom- and then share that unique beauty and sweetness with other living things?

Monday Moment, May 20th

Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 

A few months ago, I was feeling blissful about our new life in West Virginia. After having so many aspects of our lives undone by health issues a few years ago, we were finally feeling as if we had found our new purposes and places here. I likened this feeling to the satisfaction of a completed puzzle. All the pieces of our lives had been reassembled in a beautiful new way.

But we all know from experience that our “completed puzzles” only last for a brief time. Those moments of feeling all-together are often fleeting, aren’t they? Recently I made the difficult decision to leave the wonderful pastor and staff, good people, inspiring worship experiences, and meaningful ministry I have grown to love over the past two years. (The denomination made a decision in which I could not abide.) A large section of my “puzzle” has been undone.

The image of life as a puzzle that is continually being assembled, disassembled, and reassembled on its way to perfect completion brings me comfort in these unsettled days.

Our family enjoys working on jigsaw puzzles when we are together. The puzzle gives us a fun project to do while we share stories and memories, listen to someone’s favorite music, or at times ponder our own thoughts in the silence. Once a puzzle is finished, we stand back to admire it for a little while, then break it apart and place the pieces back in the box until another time. I realize that more joy is found in the process of completion than in admiring the finished work.

So it is with living this life. Throughout our lives we will seek those integral pieces that serve to complete our purpose here. Along the way, we will try numerous pieces that do not fit in order to find the one piece that fits perfectly. These attempts are not failures, but an essential part of our process toward completion. We will also appreciate the camaraderie as we help one another search for a particular missing piece. We will be delighted to find a piece that we know will fit perfectly even before we attempt to place it. We will be surprised when we discover that a piece we once thought would never fit actually is the right one to fill an empty space.

There will be painful times when a portion of the puzzle is torn apart, after we have come to believe we had that section in place for good. We will need to patiently and persistently reassemble it, keeping a hopeful vision of our future full picture before us. And when we get close to finishing, we may even find that one elusive piece we imagined was lost forever.

On our way to perfect completion, may we learn to find joy in the seeking and the finding, the losses and the surprises, the community and the teamwork, and even in the breaking and the reassembling. These trials, challenges, joys and discoveries are all part of the process of creating our one final, beautiful picture. One that in the end will be perfectly complete.

Photo Credit: Hans-Peter Gauster @sloppyperfectionist, downloaded from Unsplash.

Monday Moment, May 13th

Do you ever experience those frustrating times when “not bothering” to do something creates more of a bother later? I do quite often- and these usually happen when I am “just” going to do something quickly. Thinking I have a simple task that shouldn’t take much effort, that very lack of effort leads to more of a hassle in the end!

For example, the other day I set up my ironing board near an electrical outlet that was underneath and behind a side table. Instead of crouching to face the outlet directly, I remained behind the ironing board and tried to turn sideways and down to plug my iron into an outlet I couldn’t see. A few awkward moments later I gave up and did it the right way. Why didn’t I just approach the task directly the first time?

I frustrate myself with other simple tasks as well…

– Trying to make do with a coin or table knife instead of finding a screwdriver.

– Groping in the dark drawer for my socks instead of turning on the light.

– Fumbling with a bracelet clasp instead of putting on my glasses.

– Attempting to carry piles of items from my car instead of bagging or boxing them.

Each time, I become increasingly annoyed until I decide to do the task the proper way. At that point, I have already wasted time, I have strained my eyes and my spirit, I have dropped my belongings, or I may have even injured myself. Exasperated, I then do what should have been done in the first place- make the effort to do the task correctly, efficiently, and with the proper tools.

We know the need to plan well for big events such as vacations, career changes, or educational options, but how often do we try to make do or simply get by in our everyday tasks and routines? More importantly, how often do we enter each day without the proper preparation, especially as we seek to live and serve as people of God? Can we live our days faithfully and abundantly if we just get by or make do as we go along?

Of course not. We need spiritual practices to help us be more readily prepared and postured to live as followers of Christ. The time we spend in prayer and other spiritual disciplines will enable us to handle the tasks and trials before us with more grace and peace.

Kneeling before the outlet under the table, I am reminded that I should begin each new morning by facing the day with a posture of prayer and humility.

Finding the right tool for the task, I am reminded that I should use my essential tools of Bible reading, prayer, and reflective journaling to equip myself for any challenges ahead.

Turning on the light, I am reminded that I should first seek the Light of Christ to illuminate my soul before I search for anything else.

Putting on my glasses, I am reminded that I should ask God to give me clarity and vision for all of my daily decisions and plans.

Regrouping and boxing my belongings, I am reminded that I can place all my burdens in God’s hands, and I can ask God to help me reorganize my daily cares and responsibilities to keep God as my first priority.

Why bother? When we “bother” to spend time with God, we are given the posture, the tools, the light, the clarity, and the help for any bothersome things that may come our way. Time spent in prayer and reflection is not time wasted, but time invested for faithful, abundant living. Perhaps we could even say, “Spiritual practices are really no bother at all!”

Monday Moment, May 6th

The other day poor Jim was caught in a downpour as he was on his morning walk. Luckily he was close to home and returned wet but largely unscathed. I was more fortunate a few hours later, when I enjoyed the glorious after-rain beauty.

After the storm, the fog on the hills rose upward and disappeared into the heavens.

After the storm, the sky was more dazzling than ever, with the dark clouds and the sun’s rays contrasting beautifully in shades of blue and white.

After the storm, the trees and plants were washed clean and they glistened in the sunshine.

This isn’t my best photo, but after the storm, I discovered this vulture raising its wings to dry them. This was the best gift of the morning, as it seemed to me that the vulture was praising God- with wings uplifted in gratitude!

My spirit was refreshed as I observed how nature responds with joy after the storm, in unique and awesome ways. Tree branches may be broken by the winds, flowers may droop from the downpour, crops may be damaged by the hail, and yet nature rejoices as it steadily recovers.

Life will be interrupted with sudden storms that surprise us. Enduring these storms is unpleasant at best- and quite devastating at worst. God’s Word exists in all of God’s creation, so even through nature we can find deeper meanings and spiritual insights to help us respond to the storms of life. When we are watchful, we discover that God is moving and revealing through all of creation, all the time.

After the storm, may we seek the hidden blessings and respond as nature does- with the clarity of the lifting fog, with the radiance of the clouds and sky, with the pureness of the washed flowers, and with the praise of the uplifted wings.

Monday Moment, April 29th

Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV)

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

On one of my morning walks the other day, I was amused by a little dog in our neighborhood. He was barking nonstop at the front door of his home, impatient to be let back inside. I wanted to tell him that he could stop the incessant barking, that his owners knew he was there, and that he just needed to be patient. Silly dog!

Then I thought about the times when I am waiting for an elevator that is taking a while. I push the elevator button a few more times- even though it is already glowing from my initial push. I know I should be patient, I should give the elevator time to arrive, and yet I feel compelled to push the button anyway! Silly Karen!

These moments remind me of the parable of the unjust judge. When we don’t receive an immediate answer to our prayer, we may become like the barking dog or the bothersome widow and keep repeating the same prayer over and over. Some would read this parable as Jesus’ encouragement for us to just keep asking God, to keep bothering God until we get our answers. Others would say that this parable is a story of opposites, that God is totally unlike the unjust judge and will immediately hear our prayers. Jesus seems to say both, which is beautiful in itself (verses 1 and then 7-8).

Jesus knows that the real blessing found in our prayers is that we are the ones changed in the praying of them. God will always be God; God will always hear our prayers and lovingly answer them. Jesus invites us to pray all the time and to keep asking, not because we need to get God’s attention, but because there is a blessing for us in the asking.

Our pestering prayers keep us seeking God. As we wait for answers, we remain expectant, watchful, aware. The fact that we keep pushing the elevator button tells us that we haven’t given up hope. If we truly thought it was futile to wait, we would simply walk away. But we know the elevator is there even when we cannot see it. We know the doors will eventually open. So it is with our prayers. We know God will answer us. We know that there is movement in the silence while we wait. We know God is working, so we will not walk away but remain steadfast in hope.

Another thought that occurs to me is that I am assigning human limitations to God, who is limitless. If God is pure love, does God become annoyed or impatient? We humans may tire of being pestered, but does our infinite and awesome God ever grow weary? Perhaps our pestering prayers even bring joy to God, who truly wants to love us completely and constantly.

Oh, there are times when we do find peace in lifting our prayers to God and then leaving them there. But when we feel we need to keep pestering, we can trust that God willingly receives our unceasing prayers with unlimited love. After all, Jesus is the One who tells us to keep praying!

Keep barking, little dog.  

Keep praying, dear friends. 

Image Credit: Clipart image from easyfreeclipart.com

Thank you, dear readers, for following my Lenten devotions this season. I hope that they blessed your spiritual journey as we walked together through the forty days, into Holy Week, then to the cross, and- joy of joys- to the incredible Resurrection! How blessed we are to know such a life that Jesus lived, to know we are loved, and to know we are eternal. Thank you, Jesus!

You bless me more than you know. Your kind notes of encouragement, your comments and sharing on Facebook, and your faithful reading are treasured gifts to this writer.

Thank you.

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash