Traveling Inward -Labyrinth

There are two underlying themes to the Labyrinth:

journey and relationship.


As well as this there are three themes that link specifically
with the three sections of the Labyrinth:

The inward journey - 'letting go' or shedding
what do I hold onto that hinders the Spirit from abiding in me?
pride, fear, lack of faith, control, image

The middle of the labyrinth - 'centering'
be still and know that I am God, You lack for nothing

The outward journey - 'incarnation'
be Jesus' hands and feet, be His peace, His love

check out Online Prayer Labyrinth
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/paradigm/

Humility

Mother Teresa had this to say. . .

"Let us beg to have our hearts ‘meek and humble’ like Jesus.

We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully.

Do not let a chance pass you by.

It is so easy to be proud, harsh, moody and selfish,

but we have been created for greater things.

Why stoop down to things that will spoil the beauty of our hearts?"

Then today she said,

“Humility always radiates the greatness and glory of God.

Through humility we grow in love.

Humility is the beginning of sanctity.”

Spirit, guard my heart against pride and selfishness.
Let me hold loosely all that you have given and entrusted to my care.

Help me discern your voice and guard

the fragile beauty that has begun to grow within my heart.

Waiting Around

I can’t responsible for other people’s journey. I can only be responsible for myself and what God has called me to. Lately it seems that God is calling me to peace.

To be peaceful in the midst of chaos
To be peaceful within, resting in Him
To bring peace,
To be the presence of peace in difficult situations.

My strength
-- my peace, my love, my joy, my contentment, my patience --
will come from settling down in complete dependence on Spirit, Father God. Vs. 16

God is not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to me.He’s gathering strength to show mercy to me. God takes the time to do everything right --- everything.
Those who wait around for Him are the lucky ones. – Isaish 30.16,18 The Message

These first 2.5 weeks back to school and work have been tough. Randy began to traveling 5 days a week to Toledo to work. Prior to January he worked 3 days in Toledo and 2 days from the house. This change in his work schedule has really impacted me. The first week of the month is always busy, with monthly meetings like

Love Shack – our church’s leadership meeting;
Ganton Center – our kids playing games with elderly folks;
Allie & Jeff’s gymnastics and basketball every Monday @ 4 and 6:30;
I was sick with a nasty cough
I was at the Wharton theater twice to see the ballet Sleeping Beauty (w/the family) and Legally Blond (w/6 of the WWKids leaders)
And in the midst of these first three weeks of school, the kids have missed 3 days of school, we’ve had over 15 inches of snow and attended my spiritual direction weekend class and wrote papers.

Ok, when I look at all this “life” happening it's not to whine (I hate whining). Everybodies life is busy. But being mindful of my own busyiness helps me put things in perspective . . .

I need to give myself some grace and just be thankful that I made it through.
There seems to be a pattern here, like I’m always needing grace. . . duhhh.

The Lord longs to be gracious to you. . . . Lori Ann, his beloved daughter. . . Isaiah 30.18