Mother Teresa's Bday

Today is Mother Teresa's bday. She would have been a 100 years old.

I became acquainted with Mother Teresa during my spiritual direction course work. I had to choose a "saint," someone whom I would walk with and learn from. I was drawn to Mother Teresa because she was a woman,and I also loved her hands - gentle, healing, full of life experiences. Not a particualy "spiritual" way to choose a saint,but the Spirit did not guide me wrong. It was no accident that Mother Teresa was my saint.

There are days in ministry that I feel like I make little progress.
Haven't we dealt with this issue;
haven't we had this conversation;
we have no money again;
who else "needs/wants" me today; etc?

Then I think of Mother Teresa. Everyday she began sitting in silence in the presence of Jesus, she took communion and the essence of her beloved Jesus filled her. THEN everyday she walked into the streets of Calcutta, into a cultural system that saw little change and she LOVED and cared for whomever she came in contact with.

Mother Teresa encourage me (and others) to believe the best of those we encounter. To believe that they are doing the best that they can, with what they have, at this particular moment.

I know that ministry goals,plans and measureable objectives are important, but ultimately it is about loving others, inviting, encouraging and guiding others to become WHOLE human beings created in the image of God.

Thank you Mother for the life you lived. Thank you for showing me how to follow more closely after our Beloved Jesus.

Seasons

I love Michigan! I was born, raised and lived in Michigan until I moved to Kentucky in 1992. When I moved back to Michigan in 2006 I truly felt like I had come home. I love the Michigan seasons. For me the seasons are a tangible guide that impacts the flow and rhythm of my life. Perhaps because I am a gardener!

These past months have been a difficult season - lossing my dad, health issues and surgery. My good friend and spiritual director encouraged me to just "be" and stay in the river of grace. To place no demands on myself, to just let the gentle waters of grace soothe and heal. I have done no work, no studying, no blogging for the last 7 weeks or so. While it has felt odd it has also been good.

It is humbling but good to be on the receiving end of things. To let others do for me and my family. To let others provide meals, clean my house or drive me around. I have felt God's love and grace each time I have received these gifts.

As the seasons of Michigan subtly shift towards an Indian Summer so is my season of life changing. I am back at work. Each day I feel better and stronger. Today for the first time I got up early and sat in my favorite chair and listened to the rain hit the leaves. I have missed my early morning times, listening and watching a new day dawn. It felt good this morning. I sensed God's presence in the early morning quietness.

It is well with my soul.

Good Questions lead to Good Faith

Throughout the gospels Jesus was reportedly asked about 183 direct questions; however he only directly answered 3 of those questions.

This is quite amazing to me since I thought my most of my faith was based on having the “right” information and “right” answers! Isn’t that why I went to seminary? To learn the “right” answer and pass that “right” answer onto everyone who will listen – not excluding my husband, my kids, my siblings, my co-workers, etc. And if they don’t listen, I’m to convince that they should listen because I know the “right” answer!

Jesus’ way is very different than how I would do it. Can you imagine? Typically when Jesus was asked a question he responded in one of three ways.
1. Jesus was silent. Before Pilate (John 19.9) he remained silent.
2. Jesus asks another question, as with the coin of Caesar (Matthew 22.19)
3. Jesus gives an illustration as with the Good Shepherd (Luke 10:30)

I wonder how I as both a parent and a kids' leader, can more fully integrate
Silence, Questions & Stories into my kids' lives.

I am so thankful for my life.
For the real treasures of life - husband, kids, dog,
friendships, ministry, gardens & dirt.
Good books, wine and food.
laughter, warm evenings & stars

I am so blessed to be a part of the WW ministry team.

What brought about this moment of gratitude?

Even though there are changes and challenges (my U2 concert was canceled!) I am so blessed.

My mom is doing good. I’m healthy. My kids are healthy.

Oh yea, I can’t walk can I? But other than that I’m incredibly healthy!

Yea, I had to go to timeout twice yesterday because I wasn’t “playing” well with Allie, but today is a new day for both of us!

All is well. . .
I hope and pray that you are aware of God’s presence in your everyday life