Randy's friendship, though it was very brief, changed my life.
“Our
only desire and our one choice should be this
I want and I choose what better leads me to
God’s deepening his life in me.”
I want and I choose what better leads me to
God’s deepening his life in me.”
While this statement may be reflective of other people at WW, you live it in a way that is uniquely yours and your way drew me to you. I desired to be with you and learn from you because I instinctively knew it would connect to my soul and change my life.
Thank you for encouraging me to pursue my DMin degree in Spiritual Direction.
Thank you for helping me think creatively about the different learning styles and environments which is the foundation of the K6 Experience Studios.
Thank you for encouraging me to check out the Godly Play and other similar programs. (Timing is everything; I’m still working with that material and hopefully will make some big changes in the preschool age program during 2009.)
Randy the way you live life, is a source of encouragement and challenge to me. The Spirit can influence and guide us only to the extent we are in touch with our inner self. You have had the courage to personally journey inward and in turn have challenged me to go deeper and to answer the tough inner questions for myself. That is living a reflective life.
Through you I have learned that God is always present, I just need to become aware of him. You have helped me learn to look for Jesus in ALL places, people and circumstances. You helped me learn that “everything is sacred” – my time with my kids, a walk in the woods, lunch time, encounters with people serving the public -- not just moments that happen in the church building, with other Christians, or discussing Bible things. This deeper understanding of my Christian spirituality has totally changed how I live my life.
I had the opportunity to create a mandala and for one hour I got to “play” with a three cent paper plate and a couple of markers. At the end, I was asked to “hold” my mandala and pray with it over this next month. I was encouraged to hear the message that it shared, reassured that there is no right or wrong answer or explanation for my mandala. Here are my reflections:
I’ve looked at the mandala over the last couple of weeks. I’ve turned it around and wondered at the strong bold line and the twisting green branches. I’ve noticed the repetition of circles or circular edges. At the beginning of this part of my spiritual journey, I was concerned that I was moving away from God, that this mysterious, foreign way for me of approaching God would ultimately “require” me to choose something else over Jesus.
My mandala expresses a journey that started with Jesus, my heart’s desire. The journey has pushed the boundaries of my understanding of God. In fact I realize that understanding God is less important than loving Him and accepting His love for me. Some of my understandings have deepened and others are completely new. I feel like I’ve met the Holy Spirit for the first time.
My mandala represents the cycle of leaving and arriving; dying and growing; going in to the desert and returning to community a changed person. My mandala design continues to the back of the circle and ultimately ends back at the center, back at the heart. The image reminds me of an egg waiting to be fertilized. A new creation, a new life is being formed. The new creation is my true-self; the true image of Lori Ann Mero Tate, the precious daughter of our Father, Creator God.
Someone I know said. . . . there is much to say, but few words. . . . thank you. I love you.
And not that you care. . . but I quote you all the time. J
Your friend and fellow sojourner –
Lori Tate
