Just over three weeks at the shore brought me many new
friends and experiences, it enriched my soul, and most importantly reminded me
of my call to ministry. It was however not good for the soles of my feet. Don’t
tell my physical therapist but he was right flip flops, for people with bone
spurs on their heels, are of the "devil". Pain in both heels is a small price to pay however to be reminded of God's greatness in a world that often seems less than great. In less than 5 minutes of reading the news of the day it is easy to become discouraged. It is easy to think no one, not even God "has it together". I was reassured over and over however, that for every negative we might see or experience in the world around us there are more acts of kindness and humility that we don't see. If we want to know that more good than bad is happening in the world we have to be part of making it happen. While without out doubt God "has it together" much more than we do, our help in "keeping it together" is much appreciated.
As my time at the shore drew to an end
my heart overflowed with joy at the hospitality my new friends in Christ shared
with everyone who entered the retreat house. I am blessed to have new friends to journey along with on
this road of life and ministry. I am grateful that my soul has been enriched in
ways I didn’t know it needed to be lifted up! I am reassured that God has
called me to ministry in this time and place with people are faithful in their
love for Christ, one another and the world.
As I was on the train back to Pittsburgh, after the
woman beside me shared all her medical issues with me, I had time to reflect on
where I had been and where I am going. I truly spent time at Christ's open table,
sharing with others different from me. Different yes, in our individual
convictions of faith, our understandings of who Jesus Christ is to us and to
all of humanity, but the same in our belief and trust that God has put us on
this planet to do and be co-creators together.
This week I get to spend time celebrating the
marriage of two friends and colleagues in ministry, see family and friends,
and most importantly I get to make new memories with some of the people God has called me to journey with through life and ministry.
Week
Six (Various locations) (9/6-9/12)
Hope
for the week: I hope
the people I am away from during this sabbatical time know they are in my
thoughts and prayers daily.
Is
there an Answer (last week’s question): What one thing will I
continue doing from my time on retreat?
While I had been somewhat faithful to my time on the yoga
mat before sabbatical began, beginning my daily routine with this practice
makes such a different in my day, how I feel, how I stand, how I act toward
others. With the exception of my 4:45am wakeup call on Friday to catch my
flight to Kansas City. Daily yoga practice is one of the many things that has
continued even though retreat is over and will continue even after my
sabbatical ends.
Question
of the Week: How
will I allow God to change me this week?
Thought
for the week: It is
important, no matter how “busy” we are, to take time daily to sit in the
presence of God. By sitting in God’s presence we reminded that we in fact are
not the creator of all things but God is. On the days we don’t “have it
together” we need to remember that the Creator of all things does have it together
and we would do well to follow God’s lead rather than forging ahead on our own.
I invite you to join me daily in the Prayer for the week: Renew my soul O God that I might always
remember your presence. A presences that is there with the rising and setting
of the sun. A presence that is available whether I “have it together” or not.
Remind me this week that you O God, Creator of all things, have it together.
Lead me in the direction you would have me to go that others might know You
because of how you have called me to live. Amen.
36 days down, 25 to go! See you soon Oskaloosa :)
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