Excited this Friday, Jen Gienapp from WWKids ministry, and I are going to Detroit to checkout Gleaners. It is one of 3 kids mission adventures we have planned for the year. We'll be at Gleaners, an inner city food ministry, in late January.
Afterwards, I am going to try to connect to small group of sisters from the Missionaries of Charity. (This is Mother Teresa's religious order.) The nuns pray from 2-3 and I'm hoping to join them. Don't know what will happen, but I feel compelled to be in the presence of these women. I know I will be changed.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Prayer for today
As our kids start school today, this is my prayer for them . . .
Be kind and merciful.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be a living expression of God's kindness:
kindness in your face
kindness in your eyes,
kindness inyour smile,
kindness in your warm greeting.
To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely,
always give a happy smile.
Give them not only your care, but also your heart.
- Mother Teresa
Be kind and merciful.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be a living expression of God's kindness:
kindness in your face
kindness in your eyes,
kindness inyour smile,
kindness in your warm greeting.
To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely,
always give a happy smile.
Give them not only your care, but also your heart.
- Mother Teresa
Eat, Pray & Love
Several months ago a couple of friends asked me to read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Eat, Pray & Love." They wondered what I thought of it.
As soon as I picked up the book, I began to see it everywhere. The lady at the YMCA waiting to pick up her son was reading it. The person at the coffee shop was reading it.
The "eat" portion was OK, but quite honestly I have food issues. I couldn't get over the fact that Liz was gaining so much weight (that she really needed). The "love" portion was good as well, but it was "pray" that resonated with me most deeply.
Liz's description of trying to sit silently and mediate totally connects with me. Her inner conversation is hilarious. How one thought leads to another and soon she is traveling around the world in her mind. She is distracted by anything that will prevent her from looking inward and upward. It is amazing what our minds will do to keep us from pursuing God.
Liz's comical challenge of sitting quietly eases my own struggle of being quiet. I'm not alone. I imagine most everyone who begins down the road of contemplative prayer, has similar stories to tell.
The desire for contemplative prayer has been growing inside me since I was a young girl. As a quiet, introverted kid I spent many afternoons back in the woods with my dog. I would take my journal and drawing pad, write poems, journal and talk to God. There was a special place about a mile from home. It was a small pond with a tiny cabin. Few people knew about this secret place.
My ability to be alone comfortably has always been a sign of personal health for me. Seriously, it’s like a test. If I avoid being alone that is usually a sign that something is off kilter or I’m avoiding something. I do have other means of avoidance – reading too much, eating, working non-spot: all of these are “red flags” indicating that I’m not at peace in my spirit.
Lately being still has been a challenge for me, yet I accept that it is just a part of my personal journey and not to fight it or beat myself up because I’m not as successful as I wish I were. I don’t know if what I do is “right or wrong” but I know that over the last several years, my life and my relationship with God has totally changed. Because of that, I’ll get up in the morning and try to sit quietly with my Father and enjoy His presence.
As soon as I picked up the book, I began to see it everywhere. The lady at the YMCA waiting to pick up her son was reading it. The person at the coffee shop was reading it.
The "eat" portion was OK, but quite honestly I have food issues. I couldn't get over the fact that Liz was gaining so much weight (that she really needed). The "love" portion was good as well, but it was "pray" that resonated with me most deeply.
Liz's description of trying to sit silently and mediate totally connects with me. Her inner conversation is hilarious. How one thought leads to another and soon she is traveling around the world in her mind. She is distracted by anything that will prevent her from looking inward and upward. It is amazing what our minds will do to keep us from pursuing God.
Liz's comical challenge of sitting quietly eases my own struggle of being quiet. I'm not alone. I imagine most everyone who begins down the road of contemplative prayer, has similar stories to tell.
The desire for contemplative prayer has been growing inside me since I was a young girl. As a quiet, introverted kid I spent many afternoons back in the woods with my dog. I would take my journal and drawing pad, write poems, journal and talk to God. There was a special place about a mile from home. It was a small pond with a tiny cabin. Few people knew about this secret place.
My ability to be alone comfortably has always been a sign of personal health for me. Seriously, it’s like a test. If I avoid being alone that is usually a sign that something is off kilter or I’m avoiding something. I do have other means of avoidance – reading too much, eating, working non-spot: all of these are “red flags” indicating that I’m not at peace in my spirit.
Lately being still has been a challenge for me, yet I accept that it is just a part of my personal journey and not to fight it or beat myself up because I’m not as successful as I wish I were. I don’t know if what I do is “right or wrong” but I know that over the last several years, my life and my relationship with God has totally changed. Because of that, I’ll get up in the morning and try to sit quietly with my Father and enjoy His presence.
First Day of School
Kids first day of school. Jeff's entering third grade and Allie will continue at the Montessori school in their kindergarten program.
Last night as I tucked them into bed, we prayed that they would have kind hearts, encouraging words and be a good friend to others. We prayed for our good friends, Mr. Randy and Miss Kris, who are walking through - their life journey struggling with cancer.
Often during our drive to school, we talk about different ways that the kids can see God throughout their day. Love our discussion time in the car.
Last night as I tucked them into bed, we prayed that they would have kind hearts, encouraging words and be a good friend to others. We prayed for our good friends, Mr. Randy and Miss Kris, who are walking through - their life journey struggling with cancer.
Often during our drive to school, we talk about different ways that the kids can see God throughout their day. Love our discussion time in the car.
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