I've been out and about lately having opportunity to see good friends and loved ones. After such a long winter, it is good for my soul to feel the connections. What I'm experiencing though is there is a division between people who are quick to voice opinions on current events, and those of us who keep silent. It's a dangerous dance.
To be silent can be misinterpreted as agreement. And yet, to truly say what's on my mind sets up a trap for disagreement. I don't like confrontation. And I don't like to focus on what makes us different.
Especially when the topics are volatile and emotionally charged. There are just too many loose adjectives that are being used to describe people with a difference of opinion. When did name calling become so fashionable?
I was reminded of the movie Bowfinger when Eddie Murphy is the errand boy and has to run across multiple lanes of LA traffic to get the scene. He's told it's 'safe' and encouraged by the team, "you can do it". But the truth is, he is totally at risk of being run down by the traffic.
That's how it feels to have a conversation about anything that is current, political, spiritual, sexual, financial, or any number of issues that are relevant to our country and culture.
Where is the safe place for conversation? When is it ok to have vastly different opinions and still listen to the other person without feeling threatened or angry? Is it possible to imagine that even those we don't agree with may have insight or understanding that we don't have? Can we stand in our beliefs without engaging in a battle?
Can our silence be a powerful force in the mission for love and peace?
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
the process of proving
"Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share in Christ's suffering, that you may also rejoice when his glory is revealed. ... And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you." 1 Peter 4:12-13, 5:10
Do you ever feel like you are tiptoeing through life just waiting for the next 'bad' thing to happen?
You know it will. You or someone you love will get sick. There will be challenges with money. The world around us appears to be in chaos. The bees are dying. Trash is piling up. The car breaks down. A relationship ends. The floods come, the earth shakes, and we are tried to our core.
That's just life on this planet.
So how are we of faith to live with joy and peace if we're either in a storm or waiting for the next one?
First, it's not negative to anticipate the challenges of life. If we think everything is always going to be perfect, we're not being realistic. We have been told very clearly that the 'fiery ordeal' will come upon us. It's not IF. It's WHEN.
That doesn't mean being the Eeyore of the family (always predicting the negative outcome).
Life will be filled with abundance, love, and happiness, but to live as if we might get lucky and avoid any trouble, in fact cuts us out of something very important.
Sharing. There is nothing more intimate than to share in the sufferings of someone we love. Walking the path. Holding their hearts. Being patient in expectation of our prayers being answered. My deepest loves have come not through easy life, but through the challenges we've shared. We can be at our most authentic in suffering. Ego doesn't spend much time there. Angels are always there. If we rejoice in our suffering, we can be transformed. We can experience the comfort of those who love us, and grow in compassion for those who suffer too.
Restoration. Just as we have been told to expect trouble, we have also been promised that God, himself will restore, establish, and strengthen us. I can reference hundreds of scripture that promises that God is with us. WITH US. Angels surround us!! Even in the darkest night, and the saddest hours, we come from a God who has suffered too. The divine chemistry of life itself is born in the struggle. We are not designed to be coddled. We are created to be challenged, live out our faith in that challenge, and to expect restoration! The key is not to get too attached to our own ideas of what restoration looks like. We must trust in love.
As I'm now in the midst of God's plan for restoration of my life, I've chosen to focus on the fruits of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal 5:22-23
It's a daunting list, so I'm starting with love and joy. That's it. Every day, with everyone, in all situations, I'm calling myself to love and joy.
More than anything I hope that as I can withstand the trials, my faith will prove itself, and I will indeed rejoice to see God at work in my life.
If you are in need of prayers - please leave a comment and I will add you to my daily prayers.
Do you ever feel like you are tiptoeing through life just waiting for the next 'bad' thing to happen?
You know it will. You or someone you love will get sick. There will be challenges with money. The world around us appears to be in chaos. The bees are dying. Trash is piling up. The car breaks down. A relationship ends. The floods come, the earth shakes, and we are tried to our core.
That's just life on this planet.
So how are we of faith to live with joy and peace if we're either in a storm or waiting for the next one?
First, it's not negative to anticipate the challenges of life. If we think everything is always going to be perfect, we're not being realistic. We have been told very clearly that the 'fiery ordeal' will come upon us. It's not IF. It's WHEN.
That doesn't mean being the Eeyore of the family (always predicting the negative outcome).
Life will be filled with abundance, love, and happiness, but to live as if we might get lucky and avoid any trouble, in fact cuts us out of something very important.
Sharing. There is nothing more intimate than to share in the sufferings of someone we love. Walking the path. Holding their hearts. Being patient in expectation of our prayers being answered. My deepest loves have come not through easy life, but through the challenges we've shared. We can be at our most authentic in suffering. Ego doesn't spend much time there. Angels are always there. If we rejoice in our suffering, we can be transformed. We can experience the comfort of those who love us, and grow in compassion for those who suffer too.
Restoration. Just as we have been told to expect trouble, we have also been promised that God, himself will restore, establish, and strengthen us. I can reference hundreds of scripture that promises that God is with us. WITH US. Angels surround us!! Even in the darkest night, and the saddest hours, we come from a God who has suffered too. The divine chemistry of life itself is born in the struggle. We are not designed to be coddled. We are created to be challenged, live out our faith in that challenge, and to expect restoration! The key is not to get too attached to our own ideas of what restoration looks like. We must trust in love.
As I'm now in the midst of God's plan for restoration of my life, I've chosen to focus on the fruits of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal 5:22-23
It's a daunting list, so I'm starting with love and joy. That's it. Every day, with everyone, in all situations, I'm calling myself to love and joy.
More than anything I hope that as I can withstand the trials, my faith will prove itself, and I will indeed rejoice to see God at work in my life.
If you are in need of prayers - please leave a comment and I will add you to my daily prayers.
Friday, May 3, 2019
the Silent Retreat
I've always thought it would be a great experience to go to one of those 'Silent Retreats'.
A place to ponder in silence the wonder of life, my journey, and to hear the still small voice.
God had other plans.
18 months ago I was on my 'last' group coaching call when I knew I was dying. I hung up the phone and collapsed. If you've read my Angel post, you know what happened next. Since that day I have silently watched as it appeared that my life as I'd known it was being erased. There was nothing to say and nothing I could do. I was taken hostage by the system that told me I was disabled and would never work again. I had to face a life of dependence, limitation, and uselessness. In the measure of a lifetime, 18 months is not very long. When one is waiting for someone else to determine the rest of your life, it's an eternity.
I had to let go of my dreams, my ambition, my identity. I waited in the silence. I could not believe that that was God's plan for me, but I had to go through the process. Finally this past month I was notified that my application (and numerous appeals) have been denied. It was so strange to be furious with the 'system' that runs amok in it's own power, and yet so relieved. I believe that God ultimately made the decision. Too many people have been praying for me to believe otherwise.
So here I am surrounded by my angel feathers, having let go of everything, starting all over again.
I get to choose who I want to be now. I'm not sure yet exactly what doors will open. I do know I have a message and a gift. And I've been given another chance to create a future that is productive and abundant.
I am here. I am back. I am ready to work.
A place to ponder in silence the wonder of life, my journey, and to hear the still small voice.
God had other plans.
18 months ago I was on my 'last' group coaching call when I knew I was dying. I hung up the phone and collapsed. If you've read my Angel post, you know what happened next. Since that day I have silently watched as it appeared that my life as I'd known it was being erased. There was nothing to say and nothing I could do. I was taken hostage by the system that told me I was disabled and would never work again. I had to face a life of dependence, limitation, and uselessness. In the measure of a lifetime, 18 months is not very long. When one is waiting for someone else to determine the rest of your life, it's an eternity.
I had to let go of my dreams, my ambition, my identity. I waited in the silence. I could not believe that that was God's plan for me, but I had to go through the process. Finally this past month I was notified that my application (and numerous appeals) have been denied. It was so strange to be furious with the 'system' that runs amok in it's own power, and yet so relieved. I believe that God ultimately made the decision. Too many people have been praying for me to believe otherwise.
So here I am surrounded by my angel feathers, having let go of everything, starting all over again.
I get to choose who I want to be now. I'm not sure yet exactly what doors will open. I do know I have a message and a gift. And I've been given another chance to create a future that is productive and abundant.
I am here. I am back. I am ready to work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)