Becoming a contemplative...

There are several sources on Facebook (yes, Facebook!) that I rely upon for inspiration and encouragement in my faith: Shalem Institute and Contemplative Photography are two of them.  There are others.  Regularly they post quotes or reflections, along with photographs.  This is part of my reflection time during the day.

This morning I went looking for Shalem Institute's recent postings because nothing was coming up from them in my feed (which, by the way, many things don't show up in my feed.... but hey, that's Facebook).  I went to their page, scrolled down and found that they had posted their most recent quote 13 hours ago.  I cannot repost the picture, but it was a white dogwood tree budding in Spring.  (I may go take a picture of my own white [or pink] dogwood tree.)

As I read the quote (and re-read it), it struck me and resonated within me. 

Here it is:

"What is becoming more apparent by the day is that we must all become contemplatives, not merely in the way we reflect or pray, but in the way we live - awake, alert, engaged, ready to respond in love to the groanings of creation. Human life depends upon our living this way."

~ Judy Cannato, Radical Amazement

 

Wow!  This is a great way to put contemplative living.... as living "awake, alert, engaged, ready to respond in love to the groanings of creation." 

 

This is an author whom I know nothing about.  But that won't last very long.  From Judy's webpage [click here], I learned that she is no longer with us physically on this terrestrial ball, BUT that she was quite the author, speaker, and retreat leader.  Looking through the four books she wrote and the quotes from other authors on her books, I saw several authors I recognized recommending her.  Among them were Macrina Weiderkehr and Joyce Rupp.  I have just now added one of Judy's books to my Amazon wish list. ☺

 

I have grown into living a more contemplative life, living a more reflective life.  This is primarily taken place because I have put myself into situations that have allowed me time and space to listen, to be silent, to be in solitude. 

 

Jesus was a contemplative, taking time to get away for prayer.  This enabled him to be alert, engaged, and ready to respond in love to the groanings of all those he encountered daily. 

 

Contemplative living is part of the ebb and flow of the inner and outer journey.  What strikes me as odd I guess is that this isn't something I remember hearing about growing up or in my earlier years along the faith journey.  Maybe I heard it and didn't remember.  Or maybe folks didn't talk about it or didn't know about it.  I don't know.  

 

What I do know is that "contemplative" is part of the journey (at least my journey) in following Christ.  How can it not be when it includes prayer and reflection?!?! 

 

Now I have a new quote to add to the bunch to inspire me and press me onward, to help me flow from that inner to outer.

 

Thank you Judy Cannato for your words of inspiration!  Thank you Shalem Institute for once again posting a quote that caused reflection!

 

Blessings on your journey today,

 

Debra

 

 

 

Summer rhythm....

So far, I really haven't been able to find that smooth summer rhythm.  You know, the one where the kids are out of school and you adjust to life with them at home and all that summer brings.

Maybe it's because we've not had time to adjust.  It takes time to adjust.  For us, school got out on a Monday, report cards were given out on a Wednesday.  That Wednesday we flew to Chicago for a 5 day trip to visit with the daughter who lives up there.  We had a wonderful time in chilly, windy Chicago!  We went to museums, to Navy Pier, and even to Legoland (which is in the suburbs).  That was at the end of May. 

Legoland's version of Chicago

Then we took an overnighter trip the first of June to see some relatives on the GA/NC border.  Needing to be back for some camp training on that Thursday afternoon, we came back early, only stopping to watch some kayakers and rafters come down the Ocoee River.

Towns County, GA (Hiwassee) Beach area

Rafters on the Ocoee River, TN

Meanwhile, summer swim team has begun.  Evening swim practices started the last day of May.  The following week brought morning and evening practices.  We make all that we can. 

My spring semester ended before the school system's did, giving me a little more time to prepare for the beginning of my summer session.  However, with all the in-between things, I was happy to get 2 of the required books finished before the week long intensive course.  The first full week of June for me was that intensive class, in FL.  The journey down allowed for some great reflection time, but not reading time.  So, I spent morning and evening times when I wasn't in class trying to get the other 3 books read.  I got most of it done, but not without some sleep deprivation on the way.  At least where I stayed allowed for some quiet time and reflection (as I've already written about).

Then it was time to drive home.  I stopped on the way home to visit with some family I hadn't seen in a while and got to see some cool pecan orchards, corn crops, and recent cotton fields (you could see remnants of the cotton on the dirt).

Pecan Orchards, Claxton, GA

Upon getting home, it was back into swim practices, doctor visits, physical therapy appointments.  That is this week.  I'm still wondering when I'll hit the summer rhythm.  But, maybe this is the summer rhythm.

For some people, the summer rhythm may just simply be an absence of the school routine.  For others, it may include travels, time with family, sleeping later (what is that like?). 

Whatever rhythm the summer brings to us, I do know that it is a time to see things differently and to do things differently.  It is a time to take a break, to rest.  Hopefully there are some recreational activities that we can add into our schedules that we weren't able to do during other times of the year.  Maybe there are some folks we can visit or even have over for a cookout (depending on where we live and what the season is). 

If I'm dreaming of lazy summer days where I dangle my toes in the edge of the water and sip a cool drink all day.... well, that doesn't seem to be in my summer plans.  But, I can find a way to slow down, to get the rhythm of my soul to match up with the rhythm of a laid-back summer day.  It will take some intentionality. 

I'm actually going to get the opportunity this summer to have an entire week of getting my rhythm "in order".   I will be attending the 2 Year Bilingual Academy for Spiritual Formation later in July.  That will be a wonderful opportunity to get into the rhythms of silence, solitude, worship, community. 

But, meanwhile.... in the here and now.  What can I do to live in the "summer rhythm"?  Maybe I will pull out my blow up pool and put it up in the back yard.  Then, I can pull up a chair next to it and dangle my toes.... ah.... I can feel it now.  The cool water on my toes.  I can feel my heart beat slowing down already.  When I slow down, I'm in a better position to listen to my Creator.  What about you?  

What is your summer rhythm like?  How does it enhance your listening time to the Creator?  Or, does it distract you?

Blessings on finding that summer rhythm that brings rest, relaxation, and a renewed spirit, mind, soul, and body!

~Debra

Lent...taking time on the journey for reflection

I was introduced to this poem by Ann Weems for the first time this week.  The poem is "Lent".   Though the lenten season is drawing to a close, it isn't over.  There is still time to walk the journey.

Here are her words:

LENT

Lent is a time to take the time
to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and listen to his word, a time to touch his robe
and feel the healing surge through us, a time to ponder and a time to wonder …
Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!

~Ann Weems


This poem says it so well.  As I heard it for the first time this week, it was refreshing, like a breeze of fresh air blowing through the trees and filling my lungs (but without any pollen).  It was balm unto my soul. 

As I journey through this season of Lent, I needed this reminder.  I need some of what Ann Weems writes about.  May I take the time to allow it to happen.

May your journey include reflection time that allows a fresh new taste of God!

~Debra

P.S. You can find the poem "Lent" by Ann Weems in the book Kneeling in Jerusalem.