A Tree of Life-- healing reflections from a pine tree

1st view of tree--wound area #1

2nd wound area

tall, straight, majestic

tall, straight, majestic

me and the tree

solomon seal

solomon seal

Today we had an activity in our Spiritual Direction class here at Columbia Theological seminary where we were to go outside on a nature walk, spending time in nature to see what might shimmer for/to us as we asked our discernment question.  As something caught our gaze, we were invited to bring our question to it and be available to the response.

When I came, my original question centered around healing-- 'how to heal?'. As I have reflected and listening, it still centers on healing. Yet, today, the question became 'how can I invite God into the pain?'

When I got outside, immediately I noticed magnolia tree leaves caught my attention and I headed toward the tree. It was a small tree without good climbing branches. It was still a pretty tree. As I looked around the pine straw filled floor and tree filled area, a tall pine tree caught my attention. My eyes followed the tall tree high into the air. This tree was the tallest one in the bunch.  Ah, that magnolia tree was just to get me in here. Nice!

As I looked at this pine tree, I noticed that it had an injury, a scar, starting about 6' off the ground and going up to about 12'. That's it. Nothing below and nothing above. I was intrigued, mesmerized. It shimmered and caught my gaze. This tree was tall, straight, majestic. Yet it carried a wound from something from some point in time. It's growth had not stopped, but had continued.

I sat down on the ground where I could look up at it and study it more. The wind was beginning to blow a bit more and it looked like rain was coming in sooner than expected. Tiny drops began to fall, but the tree canopy covered me for the moment. I asked my question: "God, how can I invite you into the pain?" Then I wrote in my journal: "Creator God, I invite you into the pain. This tree-- it's the tallest one around. As the sap flows from a pine tree, I invite your healing balm to flow through me."  As I sat there, one of those "wormy" pollen things fell on my journal. For me that was a recognition of new life. New beginnings. 

I decided to get up from my seated position and walk around the tree. As I began to walk to my left, I noticed another scar, wound. It started higher than the first one, about mid-way up from it, but it stopped at about the same place. This one had a deeper and wider wound at the top.

 I began to wonder about the scars and the wounds on the tree: 

• What caused these deep wounds?
• How did it heal?
• How did it survive?

As I asked these questions, I realized that I didn't have answers for this particular tree. Yet, my curiosity led me to contact an arborist friend and send some photos. I also began to reflect on how my questions about the tree could also be applied to me. Oh. Hmmmm.  Much like the magnolia tree was a way for me to see the pine tree, the pine tree was a way for me to see me.  Oh, Creator God, you have a way with your creation.

In the moment, I knew that this pine tree represented for me a tree of life, my tree of life. I might not have all the answers yet, but I am on the journey.

The discernment process is a journey. My question may continue to change along the way. It's not about the destination, but the journey, so I'm good with that.

And healing? It has been my goal for a long time to be a wounded healer (as Henri Nouwen uses the term) rather than a wounded wounder, so all healing is welcome on the journey.

To observe the pine tree today and to see that it survived a difficult time in its life, that it kept on growing... that gave me hope and encouragement. Its scars and wounds are visible, yes. So are scars and wounds I have on my knee, my hip, my side, my feet. It is true that inner scars and wounds aren't visible. Yet, there are times and places where those, too, can become visible for the good of the kin-dom and the glory of the Creator.

I wanted to explore the topic of trees and wounds a little further.

I read a book about trees a while back, but it is at home-- Peter Wohlleben's The Hidden Life of Trees. Here is a podcast with him on the Joe Gardener show.

I looked up some information on tree wounds and found this resource: Tree Care Kit.  One thing that struck me from this site is that trees don't heal, but rather they seal.  They compartmentalize and/or create barrier zones and new tree life is able to occur with healthy tissue. Wow! Interesting.

I don't know what question(s) you might be carrying within you these days. I invite you to take a walk into nature with your question and see what catches your attention. What animate or inanimate thing draws your gaze? Spend time in thoughtful reflection. See what bubbles to the surface.

You never know what adventure you might encounter.

As I was leaving the pine tree, I encountered one lone Solomon Seal poking up from the pine straw. I haven't seen any Solomon Seal yet this season so that was a great find.

Not only did I encounter my tree of life today, but I also encountered some wisdom. [Solomon. Solomon Seal.]  And having read that trees seal rather than heal, maybe there is a message in that from nature too. Hmmmm.

May time in nature open my eyes, my ears, all my senses to the Creator and all of creation in such a way that transforms my being and my doing to align more closely with the heart of God.

Rev. Deb

P.S. My journals are nature-themed:  "Advice from Nature"

The journal that I'm currently using is a "Sun" journal.  The "Tree" one is my 3rd one. I started with "River", then "Mountain", then "Tree", now "Sun".  

Speak Your Hope-- sermon from 5-17-20

This past week's sermon came from 1 Peter 3:13-22.  The theme of healing came up again this week because of verse 21.  The word "sozo" got more attention this week than last week because of that.  Healing and hope go hand in hand.  As mentioned in the sermon, I continue to see much healing and hope in people's lives.  That's one of the perks and benefits of walking life with others.  I recognize that one doesn't need to be clergy to walk with another.  We can all do that.  For me, walking with is a part of who I am, prior to me becoming clergy and continuing.

Below you will find the transcript of the sermon, the YouTube link of the entire service, and the Soundcloud audio of the sermon.

Eastertide is almost over.  That's mind boggling.  It's almost time to take down the cross and the white cloth outside.  For Pentecost Sunday, the color will be red.  But, that's still a week off.  Don't rush things, right?!?! Everything is already running together in a blur.

I didn't lose my stuff  (as badly) after recording this past week's sermon (yep, recording) like I did the previous week.  However, I did on Sunday morning as I listened to the final song being sung and played.

I'm still in some sort of Holy Spirit transformation and growth pattern these days.  For the most part, that is a very good thing. I am open to the moving of the Holy Spirit, even though it isn't always comfortable for me.

As I see it, if I am going to speak hope, then I'd better be willing to walk the path that Jesus walked, the path that others walk, the path I need to walk....in order to know the hope, in order to experience the healing, in order to be able to simply "be".

I shared a quote by Carlo Carretto as it related to hope from the "blue" book: A Guide to Prayer For Ministers and Other Servants.  It's not in the transcript, so I will include it at the bottom of the post.

Peace,

Rev. Deb
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“Speak Your Hope” 

1 Peter 3:13-22 (CEB)

May 17, 2020 (6^th Sunday of Easter)

St. Elmo UMC (FB Live)

1 Peter 3:13-22 (CEB)

¹³ Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? ¹⁴ But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. ¹⁵ Instead, regard Christ the Lord as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. ¹⁶ Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience. Act in this way so that those who malign your good lifestyle in Christ may be ashamed when they slander you. ¹⁷ It is better to suffer for doing good (if this could possibly be God’s will) than for doing evil.

¹⁸ Christ himself suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous. He did this in order to bring you into the presence of God. Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit. ¹⁹ And it was by the Spirit that he went to preach to the spirits in prison. ²⁰ In the past, these spirits were disobedient—when God patiently waited during the time of Noah. Noah built an ark in which a few (that is, eight) lives were rescued through water. ²¹ Baptism is like that. It saves you now—not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God. Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who is at God’s right side. Now that he has gone into heaven, he rules over all angels, authorities, and powers.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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Today is the 6^th Sunday of Easter.  Only 1 more week of Easter and then we celebrate the birthday of the church on Pentecost.

Today’s sermon title comes from verse 15: “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.” 

Speak your hope.

Let’s look at what that means.

First of all, there is an assumption that we have a hope to speak of here, isn’t there? 

What IS that hope?

As we look through the rest of the passage, we can find answers, both before and after that verse.   In verse 15 prior to the admonition to speak of your hope, the admonition is to “regard Christ as holy in your hearts”

Christ is holy in our hearts.  That is hope.

Verse 18—Christ was made alive by the Spirit.  That is hope.

Verse 19—Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That is hope.

Speaking of salvation, in last week’s sermon, the word came up in verse 2 (1 Peter 2:2)—“you will grow into salvation”. 

I mentioned that the Greek word for “salvation” is “sozo” and it that it also means “healing”.   Looking at that verse with the word healing—“you will grow into healing”.

Let’s look at the Greek word “sozo” for a moment.  The Strong Concordance reference is G4982 for those who are waiting to hear that information. 

Among the meanings for SOZO: to save, to heal, to restore to health (to be made whole), to preserve from being lost.

Looking at today’s verse 19, “your healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

Putting those two together: ‘Your healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and you will grow into healing.’

Healing.  Let’s talk more about that because healing is a big part of the hope you can speak of with others.

Where do you want/need healing in your life?  Physical?  Emotional?  Spiritual?  What are the wounds in the past that could use some healing?

I realize that this isn’t an easy topic.  Healing doesn’t come without some pain.  However, one of the life lessons I have picked up along the way is that there is such a thing as growing pains.  They exist physically.  As we experience growth as infants and children, there is pain in our bodies.  Most of us don’t realize the pain, yet some people feel the pain.  As infants, we cry out, unable to express the pain. 

Just as we experience physical growth pains, there are spiritual growth pains.  It isn’t comfortable to be faced with ourselves and needed growth.  Yet, if there is going to be pain in our lives, regardless, isn’t it much better to have pain that leads to healing and wholeness rather than to stagnate.

I believe that this time of being set apart is a time for healing.  It has been for me.  I have been able to spend time listening to the Creator, to God, to the Holy Spirit.  I have been able to go back into the past and allow God to bring healing into areas of my life that have been buried deep under the surface for years.  I don’t know the things you deal with, the experiences you’ve had.  I only know my fears, my insecurities, my false self stuff…..

By allowing the Creator, the Artistic Designer, the Master Builder, the One who knows me best to work in me and on me, I have been going through a transformation and healing process.  It’s ongoing.  I recognize that.  As long as I continue to breathe, there is work to be done on me and in me.

And because the Master Builder continues to work on me and in me, I know that there is work being done through me.  All of this is my hope that I can speak of with others. 

I can share my experiences as the opportunities arise.

Because Jesus Christ is alive by the Spirit and because my healing comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have hope to share with others.

In last week’s sermon, toward the end of the sermon, I said this: “Church, you ARE chosen and valuable living stones.  God is working in and through you and me to build something beautiful.  God is bringing healing into our lives.”

I believe that while we are apart from worshipping together in community, the Master Builder is truly doing a beautiful thing in us individually and collectively.  I believe that there is healing taking place.  I believe this because I’ve seen it and experienced it.  Not just in my own life, but in a few other lives that I’ve been able to observe.  I’ve seen it in Facebook posts—in people’s writings and in art.  I have heard and seen it in Zoom conversations.

I know that healing is crucial to growth.  If we only cover up our wounds, then it is difficult to allow the hope to shine through.  Once we have experienced healing in an area, then the light and love of Christ can shine through the scars of the wounds and we become and Henri Nouwen calls us, “wounded healers”.  We have all been wounded.  The question is whether or not we will be wounded wounders or wounded healers.

Allow the healing.

Share the healing.

Allow the hope.

Share the hope.

In closing, hear these words from Psalm 66, verses 16-20 from the Psalmist David who spoke his hope:

“Come close and listen, all you who honor God; I will tell you what God has done for me: My mouth cried out to him with praise on my tongue.  If I had cherished evil in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.  But God definitely listened.  He heard the sound of my prayer.  Bless God! He didn’t reject my prayer; he didn’t withhold his faithful love from me.”

Will you pray with me? (Spirit of the Living God)

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YouTube Worship Service for May 17:

Soundcloud Audio Version

SOZO Scripture references from Bible Tools

SOZO Scripture references from Robust Designs


Bookmark that I shared during the sermon:

On the front: a stamped Pooh and Piglet walking alongside each other down a path.

On the back: "There is something you must always remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.  But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."

This bookmark was given out to the Tuesday Ladies Bible Study at Burks UMC by Amy Nutt, Pastor and leader on June 2, 2015.

Quote that I shared from Carlo Carretto that spoke hope to me:
From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, page 176

     "God presents himself to us little by little.  The whole story of salvation is the story of the God who comes.
     It is always he who comes, even if he has not yet come in his fullness.  But there is indeed one unique moment in his coming; the others were only preparations and announcement.
     The hour of his coming is the Incarnation.
     The Incarnation brings the world his presence.  It is a presence so complete that it overshadows every presence before it.
     God is made human in Christ.  God makes himself present to us with such a special presence, such an obvious presence, as to overthrow all the complicated calculations made about him in the past.
      "The invisible, intangible God has made himself visible and tangible in Christ."
      If Jesus is truly God, everything is clear; if I cannot believe this, everything darkens again."
--From The God Who Comes

"Healing the Wounds"-- sermon preached at Grace UMC and Fairview UMC on March 15

Fairview UMC

 Yesterday I had the opportunity to preach 2 sermons in one morning.  Though I have done that before in one church several times, I have never done that where you preach in one church and go to another one.  And, in this case, you leave immediately after the service ends and get to the next one.  It was odd to not stay and visit with folks, but they are accustomed to that. 

I am part of a group of folks filling in for the pastor who is on leave for two months to take care of her beautiful new son.  For me this is a great opportunity to not only preach, but experience what a 2 point charge feels like on a Sunday morning.

The first church was Grace UMC in Soddy Daisy, a former home church for me.  It has been about 6 years since we worshiped there.  I first went there in December 2000.  I got back into leadership in that church.  I started seminary while in that church.  I preached a couple of times there.  Being back there at this stage of my journey was meaningful for me and I shared that.  God has raised up quite a few folks into lay and ordained ministry through that church and it is powerful to recognize that.  My leadership skills in ministry were started there.

Though I hadn't planned to do the children's message there, I had one planned for the next church and mentioned that and was able to do it there.  That was neat.  I haven't done a children's message in a while and it definitely keeps one on their toes and going with the flow and the Spirit.  It went well.  The hardest part was doing a simple prayer at the end because they repeat everything you say.  I was thinking very carefully during that to keep it simple.

It was good to be back at Grace UMC for worship, to see folks we knew and to meet new folks.  I was blessed and encouraged by being with them again.

After preaching at Grace UMC, it was time to drive up to Fairview UMC.  I have preached at Fairview UMC about a handful of times over the past several years.   It's a wonderful community of folks that make you feel at home.  We got up there a few minutes before the service started so I was able to settle in a bit and get oriented.  Though it wasn't as much time as it would have been if I hadn't been coming from preaching elsewhere, the time was adequate. 

The only thing I noted in preaching back to back services like that yesterday is that I didn't have as much time to decompress, empty out, and fill back up again with the Holy Spirit prior to the beginning of the service.  But, that is what the prelude and worship did for me.

The prelude was perfect.  It was a recorded song that I recognized and immediately spoke to me.  I was able to enter into worship and prepare.  As we sang our songs of worship and prayed as community, I continued to be filled up.

It was a blessing to be with the Fairview community again yesterday.  They are always welcoming and kind.

Here is the written sermon from which I preached.  It's not exact to what was said in either church, but it gives you an idea.  The sermon was recorded because it will be used for my preaching class assignment. I may post that later.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

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"Healing the Wounds"

Grace and Fairview UMC

March 15, 2015

Today is the 4th Sunday of Lent and we continue our journey toward Easter.  Today's Scripture passage takes us to a section of the Israelites' journey as they wander through the wilderness.  Before we look at today's passage, let's get a little background.

The Israelites are at Mount Hor which borders the land of Edom.  In Numbers 20 we learn that Moses' brother Aaron has recently died on Mount Hor and Israel mourned his death for 30 days.

Previously on the journey out of Egypt the Israelite people rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They complained and quarreled about what they were eating, that they had left Egypt, that they had no water etc.  They mentioned that they would have been better off if they had stayed in Egypt. (three examples--Numbers 11:1-6; Numbers 14:1-4; Numbers 20: 2-13)

In Numbers 20:14-21 we learn that the Israelites attempted to pass through the land of Edom but they were refused passageway and forced to travel a longer route around to the Red Sea.  The wilderness area that they were forced to travel was a more difficult path, was hot and barren, and had narrow and steep ravines.  

With this background in mind, let's look at today's passage together of God's word:

Numbers 21:4-9 (NRSV)

⁴ From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. ⁵ The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” ⁶ Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. ⁷ The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. ⁸ And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” ⁹ So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

LEADER: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

PEOPLE:  Thanks be to God.

Almost immediately after Israelites set off on their journey once again, they became impatient.  They weren't happy that they had to go the long way around.  They spoke against God and Moses and started complaining once again.  Those grumpy, grumbling Israelites.  What's with them, anyway?

If you've ever been stuck in traffic, had to take a detour route, or simply been on a long journey, maybe you can relate.  This past week there have been two major accidents causing delays and rerouting around the Chattanooga area:  (1) a mudslide on Lookout Mountain has closed Nick-A-Jack Road for the week, causing folks to drive a longer route up and around the mountain to get to their homes and to Camp Lookout and (2) a tractor trailer accident in the median on I-75 caused delays on both the interstate and alternate routes for hours.  I imagine impatience and complaining were among the responses to both of these incidents. 

In the background from Numbers 11, 14, and 20 we learned that the Israelites had a history of complaining when things didn't go their way.  Here they are again.  They are complaining about being taken out of Egypt (which was in truth being set free from slavery in Egypt).  The very next words of complaint out of their mouths are: "there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." (v.5)  If we looked at other translations, we would see that they are saying there is no "bread" and they are complaining about the manna.  Numbers 11 also records complaints about manna.  

Remember that they were very grateful for the manna at one time, when they were starving in the wilderness without sustenance (Exodus 16).  But now the manna is no longer satisfying their wants and they consider it "miserable".  The Israelites also complain about not having water here, but they just experienced the situation with Moses bringing forth water from the rock (Numbers 20).  How quickly they forgot the blessings and provisions upon becoming tired, hungry, and thirsty.

But it isn't just them, is it?  When we become tired, hungry, and thirsty, our impatience begins to show and our complaining comes through.  Like the Israelites, we can quickly forget the recent blessings and provisions we experienced or received.

Back to Numbers 21 and the Israelites.

They are complaining to Moses about being in the wilderness and the lack of food and water.  Before Moses has a chance to address their needs as leader, God steps in.  This isn't the first time that God had heard the people complain.  God's response to them?  God sends poisonous snakes among them.  The snakes bite the people and many of them die.  

I don't know about you, but when I see God's response to the Israelites, I don't let out an "Amen".  My response is more "Ouch" or "Oops."  God's response here is an attention getter.  It is surprising.  It worked.  

The Israelites realize their error pretty quickly and go to Moses, saying in verse 7: "we have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us."   The wilderness, the lack of water, and that nasty manna don't seem so miserable any more.  The Israelites have been shown dramatically what matters most to them and they have a change of mind and heart.

Moses prayed on behalf of the people and the LORD responded to Moses to make a serpent and put it up on a pole.  Those who are bitten can look at it and live.  Moses did as he was directed, making a bronze serpent and putting it on a pole.  Whenever someone was bit by a serpent, they could look up at the bronze serpent and live.  

In God's grace, God provided a way out for the people.  Even after all their complaining, God met them where they were and provided a way of healing for them.  It wasn't just a healing for their wounds, but a full healing of their woundedness.  Because of God's love and God's grace, they were allowed to live.  The Israelites repented of their sin and God provided a way of healing and wholeness for them.  That reveals God's love and grace for the people.

Can you think of another example in Scripture where God showed love and grace to undeserving people?  How many are so familiar with John 3:16 that you don't even need to look it up?

Let's hear it: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."(NRSV)

You might not be as familiar with the verses preceding verse 16.  Look with me at John 3:14-15:

¹⁴ And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Because of God's love for the world, God provided a way for all of us to have healing. God provided a way for us to live through Christ.

The Israelites experienced wounds because of their complaining in the wilderness.  Though our wilderness journey is not likely a physical journey through a difficult land like that of the Israelites, it might be.  Or it might be some other aspect of difficulty.  In life on the journey we may find ourselves tired, hungry, and thirsty like the Israelites.  We might begin to complain in our worn out state and woundedness.  

When we find ourselves bitten by the snakes of this world and require healing, there is a wounded healer to whom we can go for healing.  

Henri Nouwen has written a book, the Wounded Healer and shares thoughts on "Wounded Healers" in his devotional Bread for the Journey.  Hear these words from Nouwen: 

"Nobody escapes being wounded.  We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.  The main question is not "How can we hide our wounds?" so we don't have to be embarrassed but "How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?" When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.

            Jesus is God's wounded healer.  Through his wounds we are healed.  Jesus' suffering and death brought joy and life.  His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love.  As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others." (July 8)

Jesus Christ is the Wounded Healer to whom we can look and live.  In God's grace and love, our wounds can be healed and we can continue the journey.

As the Israelites were instructed to lift their eyes up to the bronze serpent upon the pole to be healed, may we lift our eyes up to the Lord, the Savior, the author and sustainer of life. 

Will you pray with me?

#335 (Book of Worship)

Everlasting God,

because of your tender mercy toward all people, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross, that all should follow the example of his great humility.  

Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of his patience and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(The Book of Common Prayer, U.S.A., 20th Cent., Alt.)

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Benediction:

May the God of the wilderness be with us as we wander through the desert of our lives.

May God keep us from being impatient and complaining

and walk with us as we learn to live as wounded healers.  Amen. 

(adapted from Donna Sinclair's prayer #19 in Worship & Song)

Grace UMC sanctuary

laughing Jesus, on the wall in the prayer room at Grace UMC

stained glass window at Grace UMC in prayer room

A quote about prayer and peace leading into the 2nd Sunday of Easter....

In today's reading of A Guide to Prayer For All God's People (red book), a quote by Catherine de Hueck Doherty on page 156 stood out to me.  I have written about one of her quotes on spiritual growth before in a blogpost from December  27, 2011.

This quote started off about prayer, but led into peace, and ended up with wounds.  It is a profound quote that touches me deeply. 

As I walk into this 2nd week of Easter, there are many things swirling around in my life.  I have my final weekend of worship class at the end of this week.  Before I can get there, I have quite a bit of reading and other coursework to finish.

But that's not the main thing on my heart, mind, and soul.  There is a situation in life that continues to escalate and unravel before my eyes.  Prayer is the only thing within my control at this point.  If I'm honest with myself and others, the outcome isn't looking good.  For me to keep in control, I'm having to let go, over and over..... to submit to the One who can control this.... and trust.   There is peace for me, even in the midst of uncertainty and concern.  That peace runs deep, thankfully. 

It is within this context that I read this quote this morning:

"Where does the life in prayer lead?  Toward the end of the journey inward, after one has met Christ and shared his cross, one enters a strange land of loneliness.  Peace seems to precede it.  I think that it is the peace that comes through having been crucified.  There is a moment of resurrection, as if one has been taken off the cross.  The wounds are not healed, but they no longer hurt."  --From Soul of My Soul by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

I don't know if there is anything in this quote for you today.  Read it over a few times.  What words or phrases stand out to you?  Where do they meet you on your journey?

For me the words and phrases that stand out are: life in prayer, journey inward, land of loneliness, peace, resurrection, wounds not healed, but no longer hurt. 

If there isn't anything in this quote, maybe you'll want to check out the other post I wrote on another one of her quotes and included links about her (linked above).

As I walk into the Easter Season on this 2nd week of Easter, heading toward the 2nd Sunday of Easter, I pray that I may be open to hear and see and experience what the Wounded Healer might be attempting to teach me.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra