Sunday October 26: You Shall Offer Hospitality

My moment receiving gratuitous hospitality came in the form of a simultaneous hug from three different women, all named Elaine. I am being beckoned to offer this gracious, hospitable place to my youngest brother, struggling now between continuing to do a job he loves, which requires weekly travel, with the reality that travel by air, stays in hotels and icy receptions at worksites will be the norm for the foreseeable future. I can welcome his complaints and concerns with gracious love, try not to get my feelings hurt when he vents and give him words that encourage him to slow down and listen to his still, small voice before making any major life decisions. <3 linda

Sunday October 18: Rendering One’s Life

As I look at my life, it seems as if this conscious selection of what is of value and what can be set aside occurs daily, as the Holy Spirit guides my next practical steps. Tasks I think are important to complete are set aside for other duties that arise unexpectedly. Later, time will be freed so I can complete those tasks. What is of value continues to revolve around relationships; with Christ foremost, and with my husband, grown children and their spouses next. I refresh myself at the well of contemplative prayer daily and pour that water into everyone I encounter – the more unexpected the better. It seems I am being called to let go of schedules and learn to live more fully present in the moment. Schedules can be tweaked; people are of value and need love. <3 linda

Sunday October 11: The Banquet is Ready
Yes, I accept this invitation to relax into the ground of my being: God’s expression of God’s self in me. I want everyone to come to this party, to relax into who they are as well. More relaxing equates to less tenseness…we don’t need more tense these days. <3 linda

Sunday October 4: Straining Toward God

My task: to pray a different lament psalm every day for the next forty days, then gaze into my heart to see if anything has changed. Today I pray Psalm 12; verse 3 aches my heart:

“The all tell lies to each other, flattering with their lips, but speaking from divided hearts.”

The condition of my heart today is clouded with confusion. Reports of COVID-19 infection 10% of the world’s population surface. National security at risk with the numbers of infectious in government leadership positions. A world rushing back to “normal” before true healing can be achieved. I pray in the clouded silence; not needing to know, needing to heal. <3 linda

Sunday September 27: Breathing In, Breathing Out

Yes, I have experienced the fruits of Centering Prayer flowing into and through my activities. My daily mantra “pray and do the next practical thing” tie them both together as one, like a mobius strip is one continuous loop on two sides – inseparable. Many times, in prayer, action is suggested I had not planned for that day, and that action is what I do instead of what I planned. The bonus is less day to day stress of “oh, I need to do thus and such!” Trusting God is acting via my consent, whatever I accomplish in a day I consider God’s will to be accomplished. <3 linda

Sunday September 20: Turning Our Gaze to God’s Ways

How is my commitment to contemplative living nurtured? By groups like this. My centering prayer practice. Online courses with Spirituality and Practice. Relationships with other contemplative friends.

This commitment has changed my life because I used to become quite overwhelmed with world situations far from my control. I know when I am in contemplative prayer those situations come with me and my prayer energy can be directed by the Holy Spirit to whatever situation(s) God sees fit. I don’t need to know where or what, I just need to show fidelity to the practice and trust God to work in the world’s best interest. <3 linda

Sunday September 13” Think of Your Day”

When I reflected on the work I did and the people I met yesterday, I see that my role is to be a source of edification; to uplift, encourage; and to provide a fresh perspective. Yesterday was spent in mowing the yard so my husband could tackle another project. Later, edifying meant a fresh haircut for him because he is uncomfortable at barber shops. Neither job is caused my demise, neither are at the top of my favorites, yet doing them helped him physically and emotionally. Who would have thought? <3 linda

Sunday September 6: Amen, I Say to You

The continuing theme of lifting up humanity before the throne also speaks to a continuing diligence on each individual’s part of a willingness to bear their own pain. During the course of this year, what work I may have done to finally bear my own pain from the past became a foundational work upon which I have to continue bearing new pains, daily pains. I have to be hones; I don’t particularly like that work, which is why I avoided it for decades. Yet I understand, on some inner level, how important bearing my own pain is to be able to bear my share of the world’s pain. The network of love keeps me supported and I thank you all for that support. <3 linda

What would it be to form a world-wide network and pray? It would be powerful. As I sit in centering prayer at daybreak here, others are already in prayer in time zones before me and still asleep in time zones after mine. One prayer relay race, passing the prayer baton on to the next contemplative. We are joined by the great cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before, all those yet to be. All praying God’s will be done in and through us. Teaching us how to love better, see the other clearer, hear my neighbor more distinctly. It would have the potential to be a continual prayer, one that is never ending, always healing and comforting; sustaining and nourishing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear my prayer. <3 linda

Sunday, August 23: Who Do You Say That You Are?

Who do others say that I am? Mother. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Coworker. Student. Author. Athlete.

Who do I say that I am? God’s Beloved. Nothing else matters. linda<3

Sunday, August 16: Crossing Boundaries to Get to Another’s Side

What distances me from others? For the moment physical distancing restrictions. It keeps me separated not only from another’s side with whom I am not familiar, but keeps me from the side of those I do know. I go out once a week and am determined to be a calm, uplifting presence to all I encounter.

What do I need to bring me closer to others? Connection opportunities. I’m still trying to find my way around a new locale; more time for familiarization will help increase occasions for connecting. <3 linda

Sunday, August 9: Always Trying, Always Failing, Always Trying Again

The major place in my life I have been holding back, partly due to doubt and partly pandemic fear, is my next employment. I had discerned about ten years ago a call to write a book, and several moves, jobs, life changes put the book writing on hold. I was writing small group studies and completing them in the group, but nothing published outside the small group. Now, I am in a new locale, am seriously revisiting this call and am starting to frame out the book. Oh, Lord, make haste to help me! And thank You in advance for the answers to my plea.  <3 linda

Sunday, August 2: Unexpected, Unearned, Simply Given…

Where am I discovering the unexpected, the unearned, the simply given? Present moment. Right here. Right now. The joy of being able to put pen to paper and write, to manipulate keyboard and computer to post this reflection. God in me connecting with God in you and greeting as Mary and Elizabeth. Interconnectedness with all, especially identifying with each other’s pain. I am in the process of discerning a writing call and using my healed painful experiences to bring healing to the world – or to just one other person. What this looks like is not clear, except I am taking “As It Is: Spiritual Journaling 2020” course to help me through this process. Trusting God completely. Staying as centered in joy amidst the chaos of life as I am able because joy is also unexpected, unearned, and simply given. linda <3

Sunday, July 26: Stepping Into The Unknown

How are the practices of Centering Prayer, lectio divina or participation in prayer groups nurturing equilibrium and discernment within my current life circumstances? I center almost every day. It has become my central grounding practice. I do pair this with lectio divina of either a Bible passage or writing from any of a half dozen daily meditations. Something always catches my soul and I ruminate on it throughout the day. These practices keep me grounded so I can go out, when I go out, and edify everyone I encounter. Being still helps maintain equilibrium, and whole hearted listening to the voice of God coming from the other aids discernment.  linda<3

Sunday, July 19: The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…

The Divine Presence is manifesting for me in my daily routine, which is not really a routine for as often as it changes according to the day’s requirements. I can plan and God giggles and says, “not today, linda, I have other plans for you.” To pray and then do the next practical thing is my best way to experience the Divine Presence.

I have experienced grace in an unexpected way. I have not seen family since Christmas. My brother had a job near us recently and we were able to meet him at a park, to connect with close family, chat a bit, cry with joy a bit, and feed our souls on the bread of love. Spirit met us all there and I am so thankful. Extremely glad to have had even a limited time together. linda <3

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