Thursday, April 3, 2008
Settling
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Along Lent's Journey
Monday, February 11, 2008
For my children, lost but not forgotten 2-11-08
It is hard to believe that five years have passed since I held you in my arms. What a brief but blessed time that was. How strange it is that such crucial moments in our lives seem to transcend time. It is the same with your presence now as it was then: you are nestled safely in my heart and continue to animate every good thing I do.
It is you, my three special babies, who taught me how to love more fully than ever before. You stretched the limits of my being and when you left this earth I felt so excruciatingly empty. But, our dear Lord has tempered that loss with great joys in your father and brother, great zeal for this life that once seemed so hard to live. And, now, I am happily pursuing a place in ministry so that I may continue to share the wordless joy that you three gave to me four years ago.
To say that I miss you now seems only trite. I still long for you; I still hear whispers of your laughter; I catch glimpses of your smiles in earthly faces; I feel your movement in my deepest yearnings. I am grateful, perhaps now more than ever, for my faith. It is my faith which sustains this earthly journey and somehow assures me that our spirits will meet again. I would be lost without that faith, without that hope.
The gentle nudge of your spirits remain close to me; I never fail to listen though it is often painful. Be patient with my sorrow; I appreciate your closeness to our God and will join you in proper time.
Stay in the light, in the bosom of our Lord, my sweet children. Know that you are loved, missed and forever cherished.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mama
http://surprisedbyjoy.blogspot.com/2006/02/in-memoriam.html
http://surprisedbyjoy.blogspot.com/2005/02/letter-to-my-precious-three.html
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday
However, this year I am trying to approach it differently. The older I get the more I realize how much I have and how much I take for granted. I remember lying in the hospital after losing our triplets, still unable to have regular foods, thinking that I would never take a simple thing like having a coffee and doughnut for granted. And, yet, I do. So, I am forsaking much of the novelty of eating for forty days in the hopes of appreciating and better cultivating my abundance.
I've come to appreciate the seasons of life and liturgy. There is some truth in realizing that those delicious licorice jelly beans of Easter taste so much better when you haven't had them in a while.
So, like the cocoon from which the butterly emerges, I pray to emerge from Lent with a fresher, truer perspective.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
To see or *not* to see...that is the question...
In spite of the negativity that often comes too easy for me, I am intensely grateful that I do occasionally hear and see the glory of God all around me. It comes in simple moments, in bright beautiful colors and in muted mysteries. I pray to grow more attuned to the divine whisper in my soul.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
On Gardening
Gardening is hard work. I was out tossing some dead plants today, plants I should have brought in before we dipped near freezing temperatures, and I was reminded of how those dead plants are much like my spirit when I haven't had ample quiet time. I start to wilt and look ashen; I long for the warmth of the sun and brighter days. Just months ago my garden was full of life, some wild, some planted, arbitrarily tended by me. I have a bad habit of planting flowers with great intentions of caring for them only to return to them weeks later in an effort to save them from final doom.
I was having lunch with a friend the other day and noticed a beautifully manicured garden at a local restaurant. I remarked, "I wonder how they keep these so healthy." She responded, "I think they are replaced and replinished regularly." There are so many things in my spiritual life that need fine tuned care; they can't simply be replinished or replaced. So, I must tend to them with some sense of dedicated care and not take the benefits of such care for granted.
My soil often grows rocky and dry. Real friendship, a sunny day, a stroll with the dogs, or the smile of my baby boy all enrich the soil again. As I grow older, I am more aware of the gems which fertilize my soul. Simple things like this story--enjoy!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5249518974978628334
Stories like this put everything in perspective. I like a good sermon that isn't really a sermon at all...