It rained all day Wednesday and I didn't really want to walk/pray in the cold rain, so I waited until this morning on my way in to work to stop by the labyrinth at Burks UMC for my weekly lenten practice.
Upon arrival and walking to the entrance, I notice the back end of a bunny rabbit scurrying into the nearby woods. Drats. I had missed an opportunity to gaze upon a rabbit this morning. I didn't mean to scare the little creature away.
Birds were chirping, singing, and I would even say chattering this morning. They were a lively bunch.
It was cool outside, about 52 degrees Fahrenheit, but I didn't need a jacket. It felt good to feel the air on my arms as I walked around in my short-sleeved shirt.
A tiny bit of fog remained in the distance.
The clouds were puffy white and moving in the sky, not too fast, yet not too slow either.
Among the greenery on the labyrinth path, I spotted a heart-shaped leaf.
#SeeAHeartShareAHeart
The time went by quickly this morning. As I rounded the last bend to enter the straight path toward the center, I found myself questioning how quickly the time had gone. I thought back through the journey to see if I had somehow jumped the path along the way, stepping out of the path somewhere, somehow. I don't think I did. It just seemed too quick for some reason. Maybe it was due to holding space of encouragement for several people today. Or, that I was sipping coffee from my "tree church" mug along the way. I don't know. But, it was a peaceful prayer walk.
I sat on one of the concrete benches for a while. It was cold and wet/damp. I watched the clouds for a moment. I noticed some birds seeking food in the grass nearby. I sipped on my coffee.
I rose and headed out, giving thanks for the time.
Before I knew it, I was at the threshold/entrance.
I wanted to check out what looked to be yucca in the distance on a path to the side of the greenhouse, into the woods. It turned out to not be yucca, but a clump of flowers without blooms. There was one white flower blooming on the other side of the path. And, there were iris leaves popping up in several places where one wouldn't expect them to be. I suppose beauty can be anywhere. Maybe it's the unexpected places that become more meaningful.
How that might apply in some sort of life lesson, I don't know. Allow it to sink in if it has something for you. If not, allow it to simply be what it is.
As I was leaving, the carillon bells began to chime the hour. Oops. I would not be arriving to work "on time" today. But that's okay. After the bells chimed, a song played. I rolled down the windows in the car so I could listen as I drove out of the parking lot.
Ah. Though the time in the labyrinth might not have been long nor the overall time spent on location long, there was something peaceful, that refreshed my spirit and soul, that nourished me.
I am grateful for this lenten spiritual practice.
Rev. Deb
P.S.
I don't know who might understand this one, but the labyrinth is a pokéstop in Pokémon GO. I don't think I knew that before today. It is called "prayer garden" here.
This morning's abiding time is brought to you from home. Though I enjoyed my time away at Annual Conference and time visiting with family in NC, it is always good to be back home.
Picking up where I left off in Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God, I am on section 5 "How Dear You Are!" in the Chapter of "Return to Your Original Love".
This morning's Scripture is 1 Thessalonians 1-2 (MSG). The version here is The Message, but you can change it and choose to read any other version or several versions for comparison. This morning I read both the NRSV and The Message,deciding to share the latter.
There are many things both in the Scripture passage and in the reading by Macrina here to share.
One thing that stands out to me is that the writers of this letter were courageous in God to share the gospel of God in spite of great opposition (1 Thessalonians 1:2, NRSV). In The Message, the wording in that verse says they had received rough treatment, yet didn't slow down because they were sure of themselves in God.
Being courageous in God and sure of ourselves in God flows from a relationship with God. Knowing who we are and whose we are gives us that strength to make it through whatever we face.
Another thing that caught my attention was that the writers noted that they were gentle among the people (1 Thessalonians 2:7) rather than making demands of them. The NRSV uses the analogy of a nurse caring for her children. In The Message, it notes that they didn't misuse their authority by throwing around their weight nor were they aloof; they took the people as they were and where they were, caring for them as a mother cares for her children.
This brought to mind an article I read earlier this morning about holding space for others. When we walk alongside others on the journey of faith and life, we hold space for them to grow at their own pace. This isn't easy. It can be challenging. I think it is most challenging when you are walking with many people at the same time and some want to grow and others don't. Finding a way to hold space and lovingly guide the diverse flock is a challenge for the shepherd.
The article was written by Kaitlin Curtice, a writer I hadn't read prior to today. Click on the article link below to read it in its entirety. From there, you can read her other writings.
One quote in particular from the article that caught my attention was: "If we hold space for each other, we learn how to truly be alive with one another, as we cast off judgment and wait for the grace of God to journey with us into unknown and sacred places."
Being truly alive with one another, waiting for the grace of God to journey with us.... that's what it's about and that's what is shared in 1 Thessalonians 1-2.
It comes down to love. Recognizing ourselves as loved by God and recognizing others as loved by God. Then we can more readily treat ourselves, God, and others with love. We will be more grateful. We will offer more encouragement. We will live into who we are called to be when we respond to love.
Josh Groban has a song, "You Are Loved":
Lyrics:
Don't give up It's just the weight of the world When your heart's heavy I, I will lift it for you
Don't give up Because you want to be heard If silence keeps you I, I will break it for you Everybody wants to be understood
Well, I can hear you Everybody wants to be loved Don't give up Because you are loved Don't give up It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside I, I'll be there to find you Don't give up Because you want to burn bright If darkness blinds you I, I will shine to guide you Everybody wants to be understood
Well, I can hear you Everybody wants to be loved Don't give up Because you are loved You are loved
Ah! Don't give up It's just the weight of the world Don't give up Everyone needs to be heard You are loved
Another song about living as loved is by Hawk Nelson-- "Live Like You're Loved":
Lyrics:
You're not the only one who feels like this Feelin' like you lose more than you win Like life is just an endless hill you climb You try and try, but never arrive
I'm tellin' you somethin' This racing, this running Oh, you're working way too hard! And this perfection you're chasing Is just energy wasted Cause he love's you like you are!
So go ahead and live like you're loved It's ok to act like you've been set free His love has made you more than enough So go ahead and be who he made you to be
And live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved
And live like you're know your value born Like you know the one that hold your soul Cause mercy has called you by your name Don't be afraid to live in that grace
I'm tellin' you somethin' This God we believe in Yeah, he changed everything No more guilt! No more shame! He took all that away Gave us a reason to sing
So go ahead and live like you're loved It's ok to act like you've been set free His love has made you more than enough So go ahead and be who he made you to be
And live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved
Live like you're loved, walk like you're free Stand like you know, who he made you to be Live like you're loved, like you believe His love is all, that you ever need
So go ahead and live like you're loved His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and live like you're loved It's ok to act like you've been set free His love has made you more than enough So go ahead and be who he made you to be
And live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved live like you're loved
Live like you're loved, walk like you're free Stand like you know, who he made you to be Live like you're loved, like you believe His love is all, that you ever need Live like you're loved!
Macrina notes that these short chapters show pastoral care to the community, a tenderness and "loving concern and devotion". (189) Paul and his companions held space for the community to learn, to live, and to grow. They lived with them and modeled God's love, in teaching and in action.
Macrina writes that Paul seeks "to encourage, support, and affirm his disciples. It is no secret that Paul and his colleagues have taken great risks and endured harassment in offering the Word of God to others. In spite of the suffering they experienced, they were filled with loving boldness. They were impelled to continue proclaiming the Gospel in the face of opposition." (190)
What a message! We have the opportunity to continue encouraging, supporting, and affirming others on their journey. What helps us do this when we face our own obstacles and opposition on the journey? The grace and love of God that fills us with loving boldness.
One of the questions in the "Reflection and prayer" section was: "Are you able to set aside some time each day to truly abide with the Word of God in Scripture? Do you notice a difference in the way you relate to others when you are able to be faithful to lectio divina?" (192)
The prayer for this section:
"O Endearing Spirit of the Holy One,
How tenderly you have enfolded me in God's creative love throughout the years! Continue to set your seal of love upon my heart. Open my eyes to see the many ways I am cherished and held dear by my loving Creator. Renew my desire to put down deep roots into the Word of God. Fulfill my yearning to grow strong in my faith by grounding me in Sacred Scripture. Bless the many holy guides who have given me so much of their time for the enrichment of my spiritual life. Bless too all those who have come to know you through my simple guidance. May this marvelous exchange of the Word of God among one another help each of us to understand how dear we are. O Endearing One, enable us to be drawn to the things that really matter."
