As my relationship with my Beloved has grown, His voice becomes clearer. What began as a personal desire to know the voice of my Beloved has expanded to guiding and directing my kids in discerning God's voice. One thing we do is play the "quiet game" in which I encourage the kids to be still, close their eyes and listen; simple become aware of their surrounding.
On one occasion after a few minutes of quietness, I asked Jeff what he heard. He replied a motor boat and birds. Then I asked him, "If you did not have ears, could you still hear God?" Jeff paused and thought for a moment and then replied, "Yes, because I hear Him in my heart."
Louella passed away years ago, but there are very few days that I don't think of her and thank God for what she taught me.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Voice of my Beloved - II
My encounter with Louella changed my life forever. Her simple but profound words set me on a quest to know and recognize the voice of my Beloved.
Fast forward 12 years. I'm married now, have a 5-year-old son and have been regularly practicing centering prayer and slowing learning to recognize my Beloved's voice. Ironically the earlier I got up in the morning, the earlier my son got out of bed. To be honest I was a bit irritated and frustrated that my son frequently interrupted my "God time."
One summer morning as I sat still, I heard my son's footsteps. At once I felt frustration swelling up within me but almost immediately I heard a voice say, "Invite Jeff to join you." As the footsteps approached my frustration melted away and when Jeff appeared around the corner I invited him to cuddle on my lap. As we sat quietly together a peace washed over me and the Spirit showed me that these quiet moments with my son were holy. God my Father was smiling at this mother and child, madonna iamge. At that moment, my "God time" paradigm was shattered and my understanding of what was holy deepened.
Fast forward 12 years. I'm married now, have a 5-year-old son and have been regularly practicing centering prayer and slowing learning to recognize my Beloved's voice. Ironically the earlier I got up in the morning, the earlier my son got out of bed. To be honest I was a bit irritated and frustrated that my son frequently interrupted my "God time."
One summer morning as I sat still, I heard my son's footsteps. At once I felt frustration swelling up within me but almost immediately I heard a voice say, "Invite Jeff to join you." As the footsteps approached my frustration melted away and when Jeff appeared around the corner I invited him to cuddle on my lap. As we sat quietly together a peace washed over me and the Spirit showed me that these quiet moments with my son were holy. God my Father was smiling at this mother and child, madonna iamge. At that moment, my "God time" paradigm was shattered and my understanding of what was holy deepened.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Voice of my Beloved
It's been about 15 years since, my friend and film maker, Len and I interviewed Louella Thompson. She was this beautiful, middle-age African American woman who had opened a soupl kitchen out of her home. It was named, "Feed the Hungry." When I asked Louelle how her ministry came about, she simply said, "One day I heard God say, open your house, feed whoever comes in. Don't ask questions, just feed them."
I was younger then, just out of seminary- what I'm saying is I was arrogant and naive! - so I asked her, "How did you know it was God who said this to you?"
This gracious, Godly woman looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes. Then she turned to my friend and asked, "Len, are you married?" to which he replied "yes". She then asked, "When your wife calls you on the phone, do you ask 'who is this?'" "Of course not," Len replied, "I recognize her voice." Louella looked back towards me and said, "I know the voice of my Beloved."
I was younger then, just out of seminary- what I'm saying is I was arrogant and naive! - so I asked her, "How did you know it was God who said this to you?"
This gracious, Godly woman looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes. Then she turned to my friend and asked, "Len, are you married?" to which he replied "yes". She then asked, "When your wife calls you on the phone, do you ask 'who is this?'" "Of course not," Len replied, "I recognize her voice." Louella looked back towards me and said, "I know the voice of my Beloved."
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Things I've missed
This summer has been odd. It seems like plans and schedules were tossed out as my family all focused on my hip replacement surgery and my recovery. I am two months post op and feel great. As I have slowly gotten back into the flow of normal family life, work and routine, I realize all that I have missed.
- the early quiet mornings alone
- seeing the sun rise
- the morning sounds as a new day appears in the eastern sky
- cooking breakfast for the family
- gardening
- baking bread
- shooting photos
- composting
- walking back to the pond with the dog
In the absence of all the things that naturely feed my soul, I've noticed a certain dissatification in my soul, a discontent or restlessness. Sometimes these feelings can be a sign of positive movement, pulling me towards God. But I don't sense that.
Don't get me wrong. I have certainly felt God's presence during these past months. My family and I have been loved and cared for in so many ways. My surgery and healing time has been miraculous. Seriously I feel great, I just need to continue to strength my muscles.
I'm looking forward to this new season. Getting back into a routine with the kids and back into the daily activities that nourish my soul and fellowship with My Father, God; his son Jesus and the Spirit.
- the early quiet mornings alone
- seeing the sun rise
- the morning sounds as a new day appears in the eastern sky
- cooking breakfast for the family
- gardening
- baking bread
- shooting photos
- composting
- walking back to the pond with the dog
In the absence of all the things that naturely feed my soul, I've noticed a certain dissatification in my soul, a discontent or restlessness. Sometimes these feelings can be a sign of positive movement, pulling me towards God. But I don't sense that.
Don't get me wrong. I have certainly felt God's presence during these past months. My family and I have been loved and cared for in so many ways. My surgery and healing time has been miraculous. Seriously I feel great, I just need to continue to strength my muscles.
I'm looking forward to this new season. Getting back into a routine with the kids and back into the daily activities that nourish my soul and fellowship with My Father, God; his son Jesus and the Spirit.
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