Prayer for the Journey

On this journey of life, O God, be our companion, be our guide. Show us where to go. Wherever we are, in the journey from birth to death, grant us your peace. We thank you for each other, our companions in the journey of faith. We pray for those with whom we travel on this planet as it makes its rounds of the sun. Bring us together to a new world of peace, through Jesus Christ, who lived and died that all might be one. Amen.

Love and Possibility

I awake each morning, full of love and possibility.

One cross word and the love evaporates...

What is the possibility of getting it back?

Fear

Fear...
Face it. Name it. Explore it.
Don't let it stop you.

Scare yourself...
Dare it. Try it. Leap over it.
Exhilarating.

So what's new?

Decisions

What criteria do you use to make decisions?
I've been asked about this twice in the past week in very different circumstances.

1. Stuff--how do you make decisions about the stuff you surround yourself with? Clothes, furniture, knickknacks, papers, etc. How much is too much? What to keep and what to let go of?
For instance, do you follow the clothes replacement rule? When you purchase a new item of clothing, do you let go of a corresponding item already in your closet? Or do you just add to the stockpile until you have so many clothes you can't possibly wear them all, let alone care for and maintain them in a wrinkle-free manner?

When I think about the stuff in my life, I try to remember it's only things. Those things need to be functional and beautiful (in my eyes, anyway). No one else thinks my first knitted item is either useful or pretty, but it makes me smile! What would I really miss if everything went up in flames? Not much, except pictures. I have a number of items which beloved friends have given me. After a while, I may take a picture, keep the sentiment (and the friend) and pass the item along to someone who can use it. I think of it as passing along the blessing.

2. Life choices---What factors do you consider when making life decisions? For example: choosing a college major, making a career change, deciding where to live?
Do you make a list of the pros & cons? Talk to people? Pray? Fret & worry? Go with your gut?

I have made a number of major life changes and they aren't easy, but they are necessary for a vital, flourishing life! I tend to gather all the info possible, make the lists, talk to others, pray a lot, and listen to my instinct. I call it following the Spirit. I try not to procrastinate and to realize that discernment is a process.

That's it. Life is a journey. What's important are the people you meet along the way, not things.

Community

We need one another--to share laughter, good food and good times.
We lean on each other--to share tears, sorrow and burdens.
We race one another--down the highways; against the clock; to the finish line.
We dance with each other--swaying to the beat; stepping on toes; moving in rhythm.

Life in community--intermingled, enmeshed, tangled.
Woven in pattern; knit in gauge; embroidered & embellished with love.

Companions on life's journey--held in prayer and love.

Grateful for Health-Ha!
The day after I wrote the last post, I had an experience that made me realize my health is not to be taken for granted. "Good" health is a relative term, very subjective, and fleeting. The medical tests results are like puzzle pieces which are being fit together to form a picture and it has taken me some time to adjust to the new picture. I would still classify my health as "good" but I'm definitely making changes for "better."

Good, better, best.
Never let it rest.
Until your good is better
and your better is best!

Blessings & Choices

So often opportunities present themselves in the form of challenges. These economic times are certainly challenging. I know in many communities, businesses & factories are downsizing/closing and jobs are being lost on a wide-scale basis, but this is not happening universally. I am deeply concerned for the families who are struggling to make ends meet and I want to remind everyone that we have a real opportunity to reach out and help others. This is what Americans do really, really well. If we have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and love in our families, we are blessed. I am grateful for good health everyday!



The opportunity comes as a way to share those blessings and encouragement with those who are really struggling. Three lessons we can learn from this era our nation is experiencing are humilty, resistance to fear-mongering and the gift of encouragement. By humility, I mean the sense of humble awareness that it is a blessing to have a job, meaningful work which enables us to provide for ourselves & our families. Everyone needs to keep their spirits strong and not give in to the fear that can grip us when we are surrounded by messages and media reports of gloom & doom. I don't mean to sound like I've hidden my head in the sand and don't want to face facts. On the contrary, I believe we must face facts, about our finances, our debt , the consumer choices we make, distinguishing between wants & needs, and realizing what is truly important. Facing our financial reality can be liberating. It can also be overwhelming, especially if we have credit card debt. As Suze Orman says, "You have to face it to erase it!" I can vouch for this personally!

The third, and perhaps most vital lesson is the opportunity to help and encourage others. Listen to your friend express her concerns and support her in the steps she is taking to deal with her financial reality. Encourage people to count their blessings. There is always something to thank God for. Donate to your local food pantry. Do what you can to alleviate the suffering of others. Pray for our leaders. Realize that we will get through this and be stronger for it!