Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
MY GUIDING WORD FOR THE YEAR: WONDER
Many of us know and share the practice of choosing a word for the year to guide our decisions and inspire our mindfulness. As I began to reflect and “wonder” what my word for 2025 might be, the word “wonder” suddenly resonated with me! WONDER will be my word for the upcoming year.
Wisdom begins in wonder. ~ Socrates
First, wonder as curiosity speaks to my spirit. I have been longing to learn new things, to explore new ideas, to grow and mature in wisdom and insight. I hope that when I wonder about something, I will make time to learn about that subject. I have already started making a list of a few topics to research: the history of West Virginia, more of the background and intention of the original writings of the Bible, and how to design gardens and landscapes that help the environment.
But then…
The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. ~ Anais Nin
The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~ Ralph W. Sockman
I find this to be so true! As I gain more knowledge about life, I increasingly marvel at God’s goodness, creativity, wisdom, and holy mystery.
And this leads to (most of all)…
Wonder encourages us to stand humbly before the unfathomable mysteries of human life, trusting that, in them, we encounter God. — Melanie Svoboda in Traits of a Healthy Spirituality
It takes grace in our time to keep our minds open to wonder, to be ready for the tug from God, the push from the Spirit, and the revelation of deep things from the hearts of ordinary people. It takes grace, but it is a great gift. — Lewis B. Smedes in How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong?
Wonder as awe and amazement will help me to be more attentive to the goodness of God throughout all of creation; throughout the universe, earth, nature and wildlife, and people and moments. Even in this time of darkness within my soul, I hope that by centering in God’s mystery and majesty I will find deeper peace, consider life with greater and holier perspectives, and live to serve with courage and strength.
OPEN TO WONDER–A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
Holy Creator, Infinite Love,
Open my eyes to wonder…
that I might look upon stars and soil
mountains and valleys
oceans and springs
seeds and sprouts
and marvel at your creation.
Open my spirit to wonder…
how I might graciously
steward each of these
and everything that grows
in the incredible space between.
~~~~~
Open my heart to wonder…
that I might cherish this precious life
the miracle of new birth
the maturation of body and mind
the surrender into eternity
and marvel at the privilege of each day.
Open my spirit to wonder…
how I might generously
serve both young and old
and all beloved people
in the number of years between.
~~~~~
Open my faith to wonder…
that I might find your presence
in quiet prayer
in sudden insight
in meaningful conversation
and marvel at the nearness of you.
Open my spirit to wonder…
how I might gratefully
savor each awareness of you
both expected and surprising
in the infinite moments between.
Happy new year, dear friends.
(Photo by Karen)
16. CHRISTMAS DAYS AMONG OTHER THINGS: LOVE WITHOUT INDIFFERENCE
Friday, December 27th
The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference… The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.
~ Elie Wiesel
This birth is not to be taken lightly.
Almost every part of Jesus’ earthly life story is incredible–and should be life changing for us. From his humble birth, he lived a life of simplicity, he walked with integrity and faith (amid challenges and threats), he taught with wisdom, he showed us the way of radical love, he chose to forgive us all as he suffered and died, and through his resurrection, he revealed our eternal life. Jesus came in love, to show us love, so that we might live in love. As we celebrate his birth, as we celebrate that God is with us, we can rejoice with joyful gladness!
But this celebration is also an invitation…
Now that we have celebrated Jesus’ birth, will we put away our nativity crèches and get on with our usual lives? Or are we going to remember him with love, seek him with mindfulness, follow him with devotion, and serve him with joy?
Will we deepen in faith and wisdom?
Will we courageously listen and heed holy nudges?
Will we care for one another, forgive one another?
Will we challenge ourselves to do more in service to others?
Will we be sacred stewards of this creation?
Will we share the joy of beloved community?
The love of God in Christ is here with us. We are invited to embrace this love and live AS his love in the world. May we accept this invitation humbly, wholeheartedly–and always, lovingly.
Happy Days of Christmas, dear friends. This is the last post of the series, An Advent Among Other Things. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
(Photo by Karen)
15. CHRISTMAS DAY: LOVE AS HOPE, PEACE, AND JOY–FOREVER
Wednesday, December 25th
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven…!” (Luke 2:13-14)
“For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” In the last few weeks of Advent, I have had a deep and emotional reaction when I pray this last sentence of the Lord’s Prayer. I am overcome with the trusting hope that God’s loving kingdom will remain, even when these present days are upsetting. I find the sweet peace that God’s power will abide, the power that will strengthen us, help us persevere, and guide us to do the next right thing in every future day. Finally, I have the incredible joy–and my tears flow–as I envision the glory of God in bright and radiant love–for eternity!
The gifts of Advent hope, peace, joy, and love overwhelm me, all because of a tiny baby born those many years ago. The gifts of God in Christ restore my faith and extend my vision beyond any present darkness. Because of Jesus’ lowly birth, his humble life, and his servant heart, we can live in the wondrous, beautiful, glory of God, right now… and forever.
Yours is the kingdom…
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”
~ Revelation 21:3-5
Yours is the power…
I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
~ Ephesians 3:18-21
Yours is the glory…
For it is the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:6
Forever…
Love never ends.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:8
Happy Christmas, dear friends.
(Photo by Karen; all Bible verses are NRSVUE)
14. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: LOVE OVER EXCLUSION
Monday, December 23rd
This past spring, when I and several others spoke before our county commissioners to defend our local Pride event (for the LGTBQ+ community), one woman yelled out to us, “We just don’t want you to go to hell!”
As much as I found her concern presumptuous and misguided, I knew that she sincerely meant what she said; she felt it was her responsibility to keep us from defending what she believed would lead to our condemnation. In a way, I actually felt sad for her. I wondered what it would be like to live in such a fear of God–to not only live in fear for my personal life but to be responsible for everyone else’s.
I am very grateful to understand that God has lovingly created this world with unique and beautiful diversity. The love of Christ comes to us as God’s hope for universal love and unity, and as God’s desire for mutual acceptance and understanding. This love is God’s presence with us, displayed each time Jesus encouraged the marginalized, lifted the oppressed, helped the suffering, comforted the mourning, and welcomed the stranger. This love is God’s wisdom shared in the teachings of Jesus, about being blessed in our own brokenness, being humble in our judgments, and being generous in our lovingkindness.
This gracious, liberating love is our eternal love and joy, right here and right now, the love and joy we can experience each time we speak, encourage, or help another, each time we follow the ways of Jesus, and each time we remove the boundaries of exclusion to welcome another in.
Thank you, God, for Jesus and for your loving relationship with us, an everlasting love to savor and to share, here and now.
(Photo by Karen)
13. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: LOVE IN CHRIST
Sunday, December 22nd
(For my spiritual reminder this week, I plan to place my hand over my heart and pray, “I hold you in my heart, Jesus.”)
We are now very close to Christmas Day, and Love is the perfect focus for such a time. The love of God shown through Jesus is what brings us our hope, peace, and joy.
Back in January, I chose Cherish as my guiding word for the year. I had intended to be mindful of cherishing and savoring my life, my health, God’s presence, and the blessings of each day. Now as I review the year, I notice that the intended purpose for my word was gradually reversed. More than my efforts to cherish my days, I felt God cherishing me in my days.
I sensed God’s presence cherishing me with every meaning of the word. Merriam Webster defines cherish as to hold dear, to feel or show affection for, to keep or cultivate with care and affection, to harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely. Throughout the year, I felt God dearly holding me through the difficult days, showing affection with many surprising joys, cultivating my spirit with care through lessons and insights from life experiences, and never abandoning me, but harboring me deeply and resolutely.
This Christmas, may we remember and celebrate the Love of God that is with us and cherishes us through all of life. The Love that holds us, helps us, heals us, and hallows us (makes us holy).
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19 NRSVUE)
Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14 NRSVUE)
May we feel loved and be love this week.
Photo by Karen
12. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: JOY FROM MARVELING
Friday, December 20th
The more I learn to see that God’s presence is with us in everything, I increasingly find all of creation as sacred and divine. God’s presence is revealed in Jesus, in Spirit/Christ, and in one another. God’s presence is also revealed in the intricate miracle of new life, the beauty and wisdom of nature, the abundant and precious earth, and the mysterious majesty of the infinite universe. When I take the time to notice and marvel at God’s generous, creative goodness, I feel an inner joy rising within.
The author Sue Monk Kidd shares this awareness of earthly spirituality: “We come to recognize the innate holiness of the earth, the sacred dwelling in nature, matter, and body. We understand these things are not only creations of the Divine, but manifestations of the Divine.”
When we pause to marvel at God’s goodness, God’s creation, and God’s infinite love, we can regard our world and live our days with grateful joy.
Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty. ~ John Ruskin
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
~ Psalm 118:24
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. ~ Aristotle
For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
~ Isaiah 55:12
Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous. ~ Bill Moyers
For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face.
Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:12
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.
~ Gerry Spence
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
~ Song of Solomon 2:12
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36
Too often we argue about Christianity instead of marveling at Jesus.
~ John Ortberg
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
~ Psalm 8:3-4
Today, may we find many reasons to marvel, and to find our joy as we thank God for them all.
Photos by Karen
11. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: JOY WITHIN HEARTACHE
Wednesday, December 18th
With all of the joys of the Advent and Christmas season, most every one of us will also have tender moments of heartache as we miss our dear ones who have gone on to eternal joy. We will hold an ache that is both sore and sweet, for our loss feels great because of the joy we once shared. We will fondly remember and treasure the joy-filled moments, but we will wish we could have more of those moments. In these bittersweet days, we might be comforted by these words from Helen Keller:
What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. ~ Helen Keller
Her words are so true. When I come across a photo of my cousin Sharon, I always smile–and sometimes chuckle–at the memories of her with my sister and me. I like to think that several qualities and quirks in my character come from my dad. As I age, I hold a vision of my gentle grandmother as I seek to become an elder of quiet wisdom. All the people who once brought such joy continue to do so as I remember and try to emulate them in some way.
During our worship service on Sunday, we sang The Lord’s Prayer, and I became emotional at the words, “for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” My deepest joy is found in our faith that helps us see life as a continuum of eternity. The departed saints are with us still, in silent but profound ways. God, who is timeless has made all of creation to remain present and intertwined in some way forever. Joy arises when we can remember that there is only a thin wall between here and “just beyond here.”
And this eternal beyond is filled with joy. Our loved ones have been received with great joy… and one day, so will we. In this, we can feel such sweet comfort and joy even within our heartache.
GONE FROM MY SIGHT
Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,”
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
And that is dying…
(Photo by Karen, Bar Harbor, ME)
10. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: JOY DESPITE IMPERFECTION
Monday, December 16th
We have all heard that the unexamined life is not worth living, but consider too that the unlived life is not worth examining. ~ Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
In a recent podcast, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman shares the story of Gerald Hodges, a high school student and star athlete in several sports, who courageously abandoned his fear of failure to learn how to swim. When questioned why he would do this, especially with all the success he had elsewhere, Gerald replied, “I felt like if I couldn’t handle not being good at something, then how could I consider myself a successful person?” *
Gerald’s story can inspire us to consider trying something new–just for the joy of humbly learning or practicing something beyond our usual inclinations and capabilities. More than that, his story can inspire us to surrender any need for perfectionism. I tend to discount a new creative idea if I believe I wouldn’t be very good at it. And in her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron addresses the way this need for perfection hinders creators and creativity:
We opt for setting our limits at the point where we feel assured of success… Usually, when we say we can’t do something, what we mean is that we won’t do something unless we can guarantee we’ll do it perfectly… Very often a risk is worth taking simply for the sake of taking it. There is something enlivening about expanding our self-definition, and a risk does exactly that. 1
Beyond trying a new sport, hobby, or craft, this idea can be extended to simply living this life. We are all living these particular days for the first time. We are inexperienced at life; we will not handle our days perfectly, we will make mistakes as we keep learning, and we will think that we understand and manage life well, until life changes–and our “expertise” diminishes.
But the joy of Christ is meant for us through all of life. We can be unafraid to try something new, knowing that we will remain upheld and beloved. We can accept our imperfections while allowing God to instruct, correct, and guide us as we go. We can be alive with joy as we experience new and different things, as we live each day fully and abundantly, as we fumble and stumble along.
We can experience the joy of being perfectly loved throughout our imperfect lives.
*https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cultivating-connection-amidst-division/id1765227660?i=1000674983407
1. Cameron, Julia. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. Copyright 1992, 2002. Penguin Putnam Inc. (Pages 121, 123)
Photo by Karen; this is a special canvas, a gift from our son, on which I can “paint” with water (which eventually then dries back to the blank canvas). It’s a perfect way to practice my imperfect painting. On the easel is a print of a painting that was done by my dear dad, who was a talented watercolor artist.
9. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: JOY IN CHRIST
Sunday, December 15th
(For my spiritual practice in this week of Joy, I plan to sit and savor a refreshing glass of sparkling water or a mug of hot tea each afternoon.)
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)
Perhaps we choose Christ because we see doing so as the right way. We want to do the right thing and be the right kind of people. What does Jesus want? Our joy. Our experience of an abundant, fulfilling life. Becoming better people is merely a byproduct of dwelling in the love of God. 1 ~ Vanita Hampton Wright
What a gift this is, what a relief it is, to know that Jesus wants us to have a life that is abundant and full of joy. So often, I get the order reversed. I desire to please and obey God so that I will receive God’s joy and mercy, when the reality is that God’s joy and mercy come to me first–so I then can live my life in joyful trust with God’s continuing guidance. My life of discipleship is a “byproduct of dwelling in the love of God.”
Jesus also invites us to experience joy with his invitation in John 16: “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” In this topsy-turvy life, we are never left alone. We have God’s presence in Christ always with us, the presence that comforts, strengthens, guides, listens, and hears our every prayer.
We can even ask for joy itself. In his book, The Hidden Adventure, the late Tim Hansel shared a story about an 82-year-old pastor who struggled with painful skin cancer. After enduring fifteen operations, he was in chronic pain, and he was also embarrassed by the way his appearance had been scarred. One day, as he doubted Tim’s example of choosing joy despite his circumstances, he read in John 15:11 that joy is a gift from Christ: I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
“A gift!” he thought. He didn’t know what to do, so he got down on his knees. Then he didn’t know what to say, so he said, “Well then, Lord, give it to me.”
And suddenly, as he described it, this incredible hunk of joy came from heaven and landed on him.
“I was overwhelmed,” he wrote. “It was like the joy talked about in Peter, a ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ ” And before he knew it, he was dancing around the house. 2
This week, may we keep the joy of Christ in our hearts, the joy we might have just for the asking.
1 Wright, Vanita Hampton. Small Simple Ways: An Ignatian Daybook for Healthy Spiritual Living. 2019 Loyola Press. (Page 147)
2 Hansel, Tim. The Hidden Adventure: The Remarkable Things Ordinary People Can Do When They Let God Use Them! Copyright (c) 1987, Guideposts Edition. (Originally published as Holy Sweat)
Photo by Karen
You might enjoy reading the rest of Tim Hansel’s excerpt:
He (the 82-year-old pastor) just had to get out. So much joy couldn’t stay cooped up. So he went out to the local fast-food restaurant and got a burger. A lady saw how happy he was, and asked, “How are you doing?”
He said, “Oh, I’m wonderful!”
“Is it your birthday?” she asked.
“No, honey, it’s better than that!”
“Your anniversary?“
“Better than that!”
“Well, what is it?” she asked excitedly.
“It’s the joy of Jesus. Do you know what I’m talking about?”
The lady shrugged and answered, “No, I have to work on Sundays.”
Isn’t that the way it is? We’ve limited the idea of an exciting Christianity to one day of the week! Yet this man was living proof that change can produce a joy that spreads out over all the days of our lives, and it can happen during any season or circumstance of life. (Page 59)
8. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: PEACE THROUGH DARKNESS
Friday, December 13th
One morning while journaling early in November, I had a sudden revelation: I am a different person now. Feelings of resignation and apathy overwhelmed me, as I questioned my usual ways of living, and as I wondered if I had made any good differences in the world. The moment was so powerful that I knew I had to withdraw and pay attention…
What has happened to my longtime sense of purpose? What usual ways of living or being do I need to surrender? What might God be calling me to do with this new awareness?
Feeling sad and unsettled, I pulled away from my normal routines and interactions. For a few weeks I read, journaled, prayed, walked, burned candles, left Facebook, and avoided news media. I was desperate to find a sense of peace, a way to quiet my soul, but darkness shadowed my days.
Then one quiet day I decided to have a small retreat. I began reading the book, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter (by Sue Monk Kidd) and journaling my thoughts. The author describes a time when she felt as if she was descending into a dark gorge as she, too, sensed a life-changing perspective and different, deeper purpose. Much of her story resonated with mine, but I was especially surprised to read these excerpts:
Descent is not about finding light but about going into the darkness and befriending it. If we remain there long enough, it takes on its own luminosity. It will reveal everything to us. (page 93)
There is deep wisdom in giving up the fight to make it go away… You are where you are. So be there… Just accept what is and be with it, really be with it, because when you do that, you are being in the moment, in the truth. You are being present as you live your life. (pages 96-97)
These words were exactly what I needed to hear and to hold. I am to stop struggling and searching for answers and instead, simply abide in this darkness and wait for illumination. I can look at this time of unknowing as a gift. The darkness is fertile ground, where new life is stirring within. I must be patient until the time is right, to rest and reflect until this new life is ready to sprout.
And with these new thoughts, the peace of Christ came over me.
If you are experiencing a similar darkness, I pray that you may be filled with the peace of Christ as you await its illumination.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
Isaiah 9:2 (NRSVUE)
(Photo by Karen)
Simply Soul Searching 