Sacred Sorrow

A blog post I read the other day from In Search of a New Eden by author Justin Coutts caught my attention. "The Deep Mystery of Sacred Sadness" was written in June 9, 2019 yet it resonates with the season of Advent and what I have been experiencing.  It also dovetails with Carol Collier's writings on lament that I shared in a previous post.

There were many noteworthy nuggets in it.  This is one that I posted in the comments because it "shimmered" for me, catching my eye.

"So, if you find yourself feeling a heaviness in your heart, don’t assume that means you are off track. If you find yourself mourning for the state of the world, then you are mourning with Christ. Do not fight the sadness, do not run from it. Be at peace with it. Be comfortable in it. And know that it is fleeting just like our meaningless lives. Learn to rest in the beauty of the Divine Sorrow. For not only are we empty in our being but God is just as much grief as love. If we are not tangibly soaked in the tears of Christ then we are not living in the truth. This is the sacred sorrow."

This whole quote is chock full of meaningful words.  Here are some that stand out to me:

• 'Don't assume that means you are off track.'
• 'you are mourning with Christ.'
• 'Be at peace with it [the sadness].'
• 'Learn to rest in the beauty of the Divine Sorrow.'
• 'God is just as much grief as love.'

Toward the end of the piece is this phrase: "the sorrow of God is peaceful and even beautiful."

You can read the entire article here: The Deep Mystery of Sacred Sadness

Maybe the mention of autumn colors (next to last paragraph) and their beauty as they signify death captures my attention as I continue to observe the beauty in the leaves as they let go, as they fall, as they return to the earth. (See photo at the top that I took on a walk.)

I invite you to share what catches your attention as you read this piece.

May Divine Sorrow add to the adventurous journey, 

Rev. Deb

Advent and a time of lament-- words of wisdom from Carol Collier

I read these words below written by Carol Collier on her Facebook page. I've been following her for a while and finally got to meet her in person at a community clean-up day.  Carol has a deep love for God and others. The depth of that love comes through her writing. I asked permission to share these two posts in my blog because they resonated deep within me as we begin this Advent season. I don't know what will resonate within you. But I share Carol's writings here for reflection. Thank you, Carol, for allowing the Holy to shine through the depths of the sorrow and grief and for reminding us to be with ourselves in this part of the journey.

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Written by Carol Collier:

"I went, last night, to a Service of Lament.

It was quiet and still, and as we entered into that prepared space we picked up a stone to hold in our hands throughout the service.

The stone became the tactile reminder that we, and the world, are burdened.

The music was beautiful and mournful. Gorgeous voices accompanied by guitar and violin and piano.

At a certain point in the service we participated in a litany of named sorrows and griefs.

As each one was named, I felt a sob ~ no, no, I felt a wail ~ consume my body, as tears ran down my face.

I let them flow and fall to my chest.

~There is this billboard around town that says boldly “Save America, read the Patriot Post.”

I cannot identify exactly what it is I feel when I see that billboard. I can only know that something in my body registers revulsion.~

We have now entered the season of Advent. No, it’s not the “hap-happiest time of the year.”

It is the time when we remember the first coming of the Savior of the World.

We look back and remember his first coming and we look forward to his second Advent~ the time when he will come again.

As I let myself be immersed in the realities of a disordered and traumatized humanity in a broken, fractured world, and as I wail for all that we have done to ourselves and all that has been done to us, Advent reminds me that there is only one who can save us.

Anything other than Jesus is a lie, folks (and I’m not so sure his main thing is to save America. In fact I’m pretty sure America is not the reason he died on the cross.)

Weep, wail, rend your clothes for we are in desperate need of a Savior.

He has come, and he will come again, and all will be made right and all will be well.

In the in-between time, the now and not yet time, may we keep our eyes on the true Savior of the World.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"

"Part 2 ~ Advent

It is often in the depths of lament that God will show us how to live out the story of redemption here on this earth ~ how we can seek justice and love mercy, how we can care for the least, the lost and the littlest.

The problem may be that we won’t allow our hearts to be broken which can make us susceptible to false gospels that claim power over the humility of Christ.

Just sayin’"

~Carol Collier

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This second post caused me to reflect and I posted this as a comment: "Lament and brokenness are powerful places to allow growth. To rest there, to be in it, to not rush through it-- to learn."

As we begin the Advent Season, where do you find yourself this year? This liminal space of now and not yet always causes me reflection. It seems even more poignant this year. The ground of my soul/soil is being prepared for what is to come. (A phrase I picked up from a Hearts on Fire retreat several years ago.)

I will be spending time this Advent season waiting, watching, listening. As I look for the coming of the Christ Child, I am open to the Christ within me to speak to me, to guide me, to teach me, to bring healing.  Emmanuel, God with us, can handle all the sorrow and grief of the world.

I am grateful for the reminder from Carol in her Part 2 Advent post: "It is often in the depths of lament that God will show us how to live out the story of redemption here on this earth ~ how we can seek justice and love mercy, how we can care for the least, the lost and the littlest.

The problem may be that we won’t allow our hearts to be broken which can make us susceptible to false gospels that claim power over the humility of Christ."

May my heart be broken with that which reveals the light of Christ.

Hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent!

Rev. Deb

Join me in creation

Join me in creation, in the woods. Join me on a walking path. Join me in the creek.

Right now I mean via writing, but I am open to walking with and hiking with you, if you are in my area. Being in the woods is not only nature therapy for me, but it is where and how I connect with the One who created me and who continues to create.

Yesterday I had the thought of a "log in the woods" and I wrote a short piece and titled it "A Log in the Woods":

"On a fall day with leaves blanketing the forest floor, friends walked the path in front of them. The leaves above them displayed brilliant colors of red, gold, and yellow. When they came upon a fallen log across the path, they stopped. They climbed up on it to sit and swing their legs. They watched leaves fall to the ground as the gentle wind blew. The silence filled the space, connecting them to one another and to their Creator. They were grateful for this time of space and grace. Sometimes words are not needed." [DD, 11/15/21]

Being in the woods may or may not be part of your spiritual connection time.

As you read the short piece above, does it resonate with you in any way? What comes to mind? Who do you picture being with you, if anyone? Where are you? What sensations do you experience in your body? What thoughts come as a result of it?

I looked through my photographs to see if I had a log photo with fall leaves. I couldn't find one. Instead, I found this log photo from a summer trip this past July to North Carolina and the Fires Creek area.

Fires Creek, Nantahala National Forest, July 5, 2021

[photo is mine]

It's a different scene in the woods. If you've ever been to Fires Creek, even in the heat of summer, you know the water is chilly (until you acclimate to it).

Take a moment and picture yourself in the scene. Make your way into the clear water. How do you react to the coldness of the water? Look down at the stones beneath the clear water. Make your way to the log. You are invited to climb up on it and sit awhile or lean up against it, taking in the beautiful scenery around you. Take several deep breaths in and then let them out. Can you smell the different blooms on the banks of the creek?

Whether the short piece or the photo actually helped you place yourself into nature, I do not know. Maybe, just maybe you experienced your heart rate decrease and your breathing get deeper.  Maybe, just maybe you experience some peace and calm.

Peace on this day, 

Rev. Deb

Fall Colors

I had a moment today to reflect on what the colors of the changing leaves mean to me. As I paused and reflected, I spoke of "the beauty of the color of death."

That phrase was given back to me. It was almost as if it hadn't come from my mouth. Yet the words ring true in how I see the fall colors of the leaves, recognizing that their beauty comes as they are aging and dying. They are preparing to let go of the branches and limbs that have sustained them thus far. Then they return to the ground. 

The yellows, the reds, the oranges... the colors truly are beautiful, especially as the sun brightens them. 

Yesterday on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary, one tree caught my attention with its leaves glistening in the sun. It was that tree that caused today's reflection. 

There are other trees that I observed today and noticed their colors.

Trees are meaningful to me, regardless of season. There are life lessons we can get from trees. My thoughts today are primarily lessons we get on the aging process.

*Leaves show their brightest colors as they age and die.

*Leaves aren't afraid to let go and fall.

*Leaves allow the wind carry them to the ground or wherever their destination might be.

*Leaves on the same tree can be different colors-- red, yellow, orange, adding a layer of diversity to the beauty. 

There is such beauty and elegance in the fall colors of leaves.

Just as there is beauty in the color of death in the leaves, there can be beauty in our lives as created beings as we age and die.

I don't know what life lessons you might take with you from the leaves. It might depend on where you are in life and what is going on.

One thing that resonates with me is the process of learning to let go of what I hold on to and allowing the wind of the Spirit carry me. Another is seeing the beauty in aging, that the color of death contains beauty. 

Carrie Newcomer has a song about leaves, "Leaves Don't Drop".  

Here is the refrain:

Leaves don't drop they just let go,
And make a place for seeds to grow
Every season brings a change,
A seed is what a tree contains,
To die and live is life's refrain

I invite you to listen:  https://youtu.be/3c4mW9MRe-k

If you want to share your thoughts or reflections on the fall colors of leaves and what they bring up for you, I would like to read them. Share in the comments. 

Thanks for joining me on this adventurous journey!

Rev. Deb

Simple Presence--Psalm 107

My current Zoom background.

A digital image of the heart painted

by Donna Strongheart Godwin 

Yesterday's Simple Presence with people in my Spiritual Direction cohort came from an excerpt from Psalm 107. 

The excerpt was read twice and then we sat in silence,  on our zoom gathering,  allowing the Psalm to speak to us.

I looked up to excerpt that was shared later to reread it. It was a powerful one for me yesterday and resonated deeply.

Here is the excerpt we heard. I invite you to read it slowly a couple of times and then sit in silence,  reflecting on what words and phrases resonated with you.

"Let your heart be clear and simple,

          and your soul filled with Light;

Enter the place of gentleness, 

          the heart-space of the Beloved,

                      the embodiment of Love!

For we are invited to radiate the

                     Divine Presence, 

          to be blessing to one another;

Thus do we become the very image

                     that we reflect. 

Whoever is wise, let them ponder

                     these things, 

           let all people reflect on the 

                     gifts of the Beloved."

Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to  Wholeness by Nan Merrill,  pages 220-221.

There were several things that stood out to me yesterday: 

• heart clear and simple
• light
• radiate
• reflect on the gifts of the Beloved 
• ponder these things

Yet, the one thing that resonated deep within me was this: "enter the place of gentleness".

Ah. Wow. That with some things I have received recently are causes for a pause, a need to reflect and ponder. 

These are some of the things for me that the Psalm excerpt ignited.

What about you?

I invite you to share in the comments. 

Peace on this day as your enter the place of gentleness. 

May it be an adventurous journey!

Rev. Deb