A photo of clouds that showed a heart in the space.
The words:
"See the heart? The clouds cleared a space and made a heart. Sometimes things have to be cleared away for the heart to become whole. #seeaheartshareaheart"
Clearing away, pruning, letting go... these actions allow wholeness and healing.
What needs clearing away, pruning, or letting go in your life?
May hearts become whole.
Rev. Deb
[Photo is mine]
I spent 3 hours of my Sabbath day of rest on Friday soaking in creation, listening to the sounds of rustling leaves and the roaring creek at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge in Soddy Daisy. I sat on rocks, climbed around on the rocks, spent time in my hammock, read a little bit, enjoyed a tootsie pop, blew bubbles, and enjoyed the silence and solitude. Basically, I wasted time with God. I took time to 'be still and know'. It was a delight, as Sabbath time is meant to be, a time to enjoy the beauty around me. The activities mentioned are spiritual activities for me. You can call them spiritual disciplines or practices as well. Which ones specifically? Rock sitting. Hammock time. Reading. Enjoying the tootsie pop. Blowing bubbles. Silence. Solitude. Pretty much any thing that brings me into the presence of the Creator and allows me the opportunity to rest, to listen, "to be", etc. -- those things are spiritual disciplines/activities/practices. What I practice in creation isn't the 'end all' of my practices, but they are ones that give me energy and draw me into relationship with the Creator.
I was able to remember my baptism as there was water in a hole of a rock. That was an unexpected benefit to the recent rains.
Some leaves were showing their red and yellow colors.
At one point while I was in the hammock, I heard a clacking noise below and sat up. I saw a kayaker making his (her?) way down the creek. That was an unexpected bonus!
It was a beautiful day and a restful time apart.
I posted several photos and a video on Instagram and Facebook with an invitation.
Here is that post:
"I invite you to join me here on the rocks, by the North Chickamauga Creek on my Sabbath. Listen to the water with me. Watch it flow. Look at the leaves that are changing color. Hear the wind blow? Notice the hole in the rock with water? Take a moment to remember your baptism and that you are a loved, beloved child of the Beloved. Breathing in. Breathing out. Peace on this day."
I enjoy inviting others to join me on the journey, to listen to what I am hearing, to see what I am seeing. Walking with others along the way/the path is an integral part of the faith journey for me, as we are all in this life together.
Other photos from my time apart.
I've shared what brings me life in this post. A few questions before we go. If you'd like to respond, please do so. I'll respond back.
[All photos are mine. Taken at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, Soddy Daisy, TN 10/22/21]
Psalm 124 was recommended to me several weeks ago. I got around to reading it this morning and the accompanying letter/sermon from a baptism that went with it. The best version of Psalm 124, I was told, to read was that of Nan Merrill from her Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness. No problem, as that has become a special version for me.
I invite you to read Nan Merrill's Psalm 124 prayerfully:
You may want to read through the Psalm two or three times slowly. As you do that, what captures your attention? What speaks to you or resonates within you?
For me today, I am reminded of these things:
God, the Beloved:
Today is Day 2 of the 5 Day Academy at Trinity Center, yet the 1st full day of the rhythms, as yesterday was travel/arrival day. After 12 hours of traveling (9 hours and 34 minutes of driving PLUS stops for coffee, gas, and a seafood lunch on Emerald Isle = 12 hours total), I got checked in and settled in and then hit the beach before evening activities. Oh, what a joy to get to walk down those steps, walk on the beach, and get in the water! The last time I was here for a Hearts on Fire retreat in the summer of 2018 I didn't get to do that because it was right after my left hip surgery.
My first 5 Day Academy was in 2010 at Camp Garner Creek in TN. That was life-changing for me in so many ways-- the people I met and the connections and relationships, not to mention all the God-talk and introduction to the bilingual 2 Year Academy. Link for Academy for Spiritual Formation.
My 2 Year Academy was 2011-2013. One of the faculty presenters in that journey was Jerry Webber. He is a presenter this week.
In thinking about Christian mindfulness and Scriptures that mention God creating, one of the things on my mind in my afternoon silence and reflection time was the thought that 'God IS everywhere'. Jerry Webber had mentioned that in his session and had also mentioned statements that we tend to say such as 'God showed up'. Think on that one for a moment. We do say it, don't we!?! Now, REALLY think about it. God was, is, and always will be. So, how is it that God showed up?!?! What truly and really happened is that we were made aware. We saw. We heard. We paid attention.
As I thought through this, part of my reflection was that I feel/sense God most near water or in the woods, etc. Being in creation is a big part of my spiritual connection with God and spiritual practices. It isn't that God isn't elsewhere. So, what IS it?
It is that I can slow down, I can become aware, I can watch/see, I can listen. I am more attentive.
I am awake to the Divine Presence around me and inside me.
Walking on the beach I found some heart-shaped shells. I saw a heart-shaped leaf later in the day. Hearts remind me of God's love. #seeaheartshareaheart
One person shared tootsie pops with us after asking the age-old question: 'how many licks does it take...?' That made my day. I have written about tootsie pops and this question before. In fact, I think it came up once at my 2 Year Academy. Amy Oden, our morning presenter said, "Tootsie Pops as a spiritual practice" after the gentleman shared his reflection with us. That made me smile so big!
PREVIOUS TOOTSIE POP POSTS:
I wrote three Haikus this morning in the morning silence reflection time.
I saw a tiny crab this morning and several this afternoon.
This set-apart time is a gift. It is a gift to see God everywhere, to waste time with God, to come and see, to listen, to engage in holy conversation, etc.
Though I don't know where the adventure leads, it is good to be on the journey.
I will close with a Gaelic blessing, of which the first line is found on a plaque at the beach here:
[All photos are mine.]
