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The Hardest Part…

Feeling hopeful, I am lifted up by the soothing breeze, and welcomed by the warmth of the sun. I am drawn to the light stretching out from it, as if reaching out to everyone and all around the globe. Still, I wait, as many do. So much of life these days seems to be more about waiting, and then waiting even more. I can’t help but think, this much waiting is such a tall order, compared to the short and quick of yesteryear.

Yet, day in and day out, I wait. We all wait. Maybe we’ve been waiting all along. Maybe we wait because we’ve gotten it all wrong.

Then there’s also the companion of waiting. As each moment in waiting silently builds upon the next, some grow closer together and others drift further apart. Yet, despite the weight of waiting, and the rush against the quiet, when willing, the Light above connects us to the Breath that’s deep within.

One with one another. Created in God’s image. One with one and all. The cry of God is deafening, when will we heed the call?

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4

Act Naturally…

John Muir shared the thought that in every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks. Pausing to look at some of the changing leaves and noticing the contrast between them and those already on the ground, I came across another scene. A chipmunk, also pausing, long enough to possibly be considered a companion in an otherwise seemingly empty stretch of woods. A brief, but amusing and uplifting experience, perhaps captured best, for both creatures on this day, in the words of another naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, who wrote, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”   

Reading chapter 22 in the Gospel according to Matthew, the section that contains verses 15-22 starts with, “Then the Pharisees went off and plotted…” The words and the image they conjure, are such a stark contrast to that of my experience in nature, earlier in the day. What a difference a spirit of inclusion, acceptance, respect, and mutual existence might have made back then. What a difference it might make now.

Nature is all around us, and we are part of it. Yet, all this time gone by, still, we fight it. All these years later, still, we resist joining together. Perhaps, one by one, we might learn to be companions to each other, and the plotting will end. Then, maybe… we might see, how foolish we have been.

If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted like trees.
– Rainer Maria Rilke

The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion,
for you do not regard a person’s status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax.”
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
They replied, “Caesar’s.”
At that he said to them,
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.” – Matthew 22:15-22

Musical inspiration: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

In the Palm of Our Hands…

Yesterday morning, I was thinking about how up until a few weeks ago, it had been quite some time since I found myself in a position where it was mostly better and necessary for me to stay home than to go out. I found myself remembering days when my children were not in school yet, or days when they were unexpectedly home from school. There was one day in particular that came to mind. I remember it so vividly.

It was a sunny, slightly breezy spring day. I was noticing the color of the sky and feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle blowing of the wind on my face as I walked along the walkway toward the parking lot where my car was parked. I had just come around the side of a building, and as I did, I saw a familiar face. We exchanged a smile and greeting, and then had a brief conversation.

In the course of sharing how nice it was to start the day, quietly, being where we were, I mentioned feeling frustrated that sometimes, due to the unforeseen and unexpected, I could not be there. Then, I’ll never forget the way, Joe, the older gentleman I was speaking with responded. His words were so comforting and enlightening as he shared the belief that in the sacrifice of Communion to answer the call of motherhood, or any call in the service of others, was in fact, also the reception of Communion. Since that bright and sunny day, not being able to go somewhere I wanted to go or do something I wanted to do has been less frustrating. Now, as I think about my late friend’s words, it is so much easier to open my hands, and let go.

All we ever really hold in the palm of our hands, is our will. And that, is always best when we turn it over to God. Only then, are we truly free. Only then, do we arise.

Jesus advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39

InThePalm

Little Things With Great Love

In the garden of our Savior, no flower grows unseen;
His kindness rains like water on every humble seed.
No simple act of mercy escapes His watchful eye —
for there is One who loves me: His hand is over mine.

In the kingdom of the heavens, no suff’ring is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on ev’ry weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine.

Oh, the deeds forgotten; oh, the works unseen,
every drink of water flowing graciously,
every tender mercy, You’re making glorious.
This You have asked us: do little things with great love,
little things with great love.

At the table of our Savior, no mouth will go unfed;
His children in the shadows stream in and raise their heads.
Oh give us ears to hear them and give us eyes that see —
for there is One who loves them: I am His hands and feet.

By Audrey Assad, Isaac Wardell, and Madison Cunningham
© 2017 Porter’s Gate Publishing (BMI) and Hymns From the Porter’s Gate (ASCAP). All rights reserved and administered by Fair Trade Music Publishing c/o essentialmusicpublishing.com.

Each Other’s Worth…

Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to visit an old friend whom I had not seen in some time. As we spoke and caught up with each other, we also reminisced. Then, at the end of our time together, with a mutual sense of joy and good will, we parted ways, looking forward to the next time.

Thinking back on the occasion, in the course of calling to mind and sharing our experiences of various situations, some similar, some not, more than anything, the Spirit stemming from our common ground, the essence of God within each of us, is what shaped and formed our time, making it special… enflaming peace and joy within.

In Scripture, it is written in more than one verse… in more than one book, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The poet, Robert Southey, wrote, “No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” Each other’s worth…

It is interesting how over time, as we get to know people better and allow ourselves to search for, and strive to reach the place of common ground, it is easier to see and to connect, or re-connect, with the goodness in them, as well as within oneself, and to value each other. It is also interesting how, in some situations, it is much more challenging to connect with or to be open to continuing to look for that goodness when it may not be immediately apparent, or soon after approaching. It can be tempting to choose avoidance or to altogether close the door. However, we are often called to something higher than that. We are often called to keep looking, trusting in the value that God brings to the picture. And… we are called to let God be the judge.

Leaves

In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 23:39-43, it is written:

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”        

Many Dimensions Make Music…

The auditorium was full of people of all ages and backgrounds watching, listening and taking in the music that filled the air. As diverse as the crowd, were the students on stage and the music they performed. Between all the different ensembles (jazz, camerata choir, concert chorus, drumline, orchestra, and concert band) that performed it was remarkable to experience the many dimensions of both music and instruments. It was also moving to witness the result, or the fruit, of the time and effort spent working, at times alone and at times together, to learn and perform musical pieces with melody and in harmony… supporting one another toward the same end. So many pieces, so many dimensions, yet all in unity. Truly beautiful, and so very soulful!

Like music, many things, including humanity, are at their best, inspirational and Spirit-filled, when they are multi-dimensional. The more single note or single flavor something or someone is, typically, the more it is also uninspired and on its way to becoming less than, stalled or altogether extinguished. This is not how it is intended to be.

We are all created with a body, mind, and spirit. We are multi-dimensional from the very beginning, before we can even really do anything. Not only that, we are also created in the image of a multi-dimensional God. A God whom we can experience through each of our senses, and in so many ways, through so many avenues (e.g. prayer, music, nature, art, literature, etc.).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” – Revelation 1:8

With a God who is all encompassing… the beginning, the end, and everything in between… a God who is in the past, the present, and the future, all at once—beyond total human comprehension—our faith is called to be the same—bigger and broader than we can imagine—multi-dimensional. For that is what faith, as well as each of us, is capable of, whether we believe it or not. With and through God, and each other, we are always more… always greater than what we could ever be on our own.

Just like the music student who is called to learn and practice the piece of music both on their own and together with their fellow student musicians, we are called to learn and practice our faith on our own with God as well as together. In this way, we allow our hearts and souls to be moved, and our minds to be stretched, so that each breath that stirs us into action may arise from the depths of our being, guided by a Love so profound and beyond understanding, that all we can do is our part to listen in order to be in harmony, and in awe, of the beautiful music.

In each moment, in every situation, with each day, there is music waiting to be made.

MusicStaff

Hope Restored… Bridges Rebuilt… No Thing Impossible…

These days there is much that can cause one to say, “I see it, but I don’t believe it!” The unbelievable and unreal seem so common place. It is so much so that the far out or absurd is no longer shocking, but rather quietly, silently absorbed into what seems like the disintegrating fabric of society. However, amidst the clouds of confusion and within the fragments of sense and sensibility, there is faith. Sometimes waiting to be discovered or rekindled, sometimes on the verge of becoming more broad or deepened.

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need. – Acts 4:32-35

Unbelievable! Not only a community of believers, but one of the same heart and mind working and living side-by-side. Unity… accepting differences, learning from each other, and using the ways in which we are unique (our God-given gifts and talents) to strengthen us as we strive toward a common goal (to love God, and to love one another). Unity! So wonderful, but seemingly impossible in our times. One might say, “I won’t believe it, until I see it.”

The disciple Thomas essentially said, “I won’t believe it, until I see it” (John 20:19-31). Perhaps all that he had experienced and witnessed in his life along with his knowledge of Jesus and the crucifixion, coupled with dashed hopes and shattered expectations, led Thomas to the conclusion that things were broken beyond repair. Perhaps, “I won’t believe it, until I see it,” was, “My hopes have been crushed…my trust broken. My heart cannot take any more… I need to see it (proof) for myself.” And what is Jesus’ response? He gives Thomas what he needs, and then reminds him, as well as us, to keep the faith—believe. Despite what you may or may not see, believe.

With God, there is always hope and, where there is an open heart and mind, there is nothing… absolutely nothing beyond some kind of repair.

Our life is full of brokenness – broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God’s faithful presence in our lives.

– Henri Nouwen

Bridge