I am asking prayers for one recently released from 3 months of therapy and coming to terms with losing custody of her two youngest children, needing AA, counseling, and medications to cope with addiction issues, and mental illness. This is a heavy load for any young woman.
This morning I was touched with this psalm which is similar to a psalm the Lord gave her mother a decade ago when she was recovering from alcohol addiction.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him * and will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, * for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and have pity on me, * for I am left alone and in misery. Psalm 25:14-16 BCP
God knows exactly what this woman needs to heal and walk in a sober and upright way. I believe our prayers can help lift her to wholeness and health. Obviously, she must choose that option for herself every single day of her life.
I also believe that we are to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NRSVUE
So please pray for this extended family member, that she may find her peace and healing in the arms of the Lord and walk with God in deliverance from the enemies of her soul, find ways to make peace and keep her sobriety, finding her health and source of life in the ways of God.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. Psalm 25:14-16 NLT
God is faithful and I believe nothing is impossible to Him with whom we have to do.
“O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.“ Book of Common Prayer, #56. For the Victims of Addiction
Happy New Year! The church calendar begins all over again. We sang this in church last week and I honestly had never heard it. What a great song!
Refrain: Lead me, guide me along the way; For if You lead me, I cannot stray; Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
1 I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power To help me over my weakest hour; Let me through the darkness Thy face to see, Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness; Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in Thee, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
3 I am lost, if you take your hand from me; I am blind, without Thy Light to see; Lord, just always let me Thy servant be, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
The following quote is from a newsletter I get entitled Friends of Silence.
Light dwells deep within each of us ready to radiate forth as our will freely surrenders in alignment with our soul's purpose. We are here on Earth to lift and deepen our own awareness and that of creation: co-partners in the Divine Plan for the divinization of all creation. Seek within and find the Source of Love and Light. Shine in unity with all whose joy is to co-birth as a light in the world. ~ Nan Merrill in LUMEN CHRISTI...HOLY WISDOM
This is how we are awaiting the second coming of Christ and preparing our hearts to celebrate the first coming in the flesh. We are blessed beyond measure and grateful to our Father.
Grant us strength and grace, O God, that we might move through today folding in humble obedience to you, sensitivity of your Spirit, and in joyful expectancy of your coming kingdom." A Liturgy of the Hours Midday, Volume 1
That phrase ‘folding in humble obedience to you,’ that just brought me up short. Folding in humble obedience to you. Yes, Lord, I want to be that sort of obedient.
Have you ever tried to carry an unruly child, one kicking and screaming, squirming to get down out of your arms? God does not want us to be like that.
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I am he; even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:3-4 NRSVUE
Even to old age and gray hair, (or no hair), God wants to be involved in our life.
Will we cooperate with those wishes?
Will we bend our heart in humble obedience, sensitivity to God’s Spirit, and in joyful expectancy of the coming kingdom? I hope and pray you will join me in this sort of yielding.
Before I began my recent retreat I asked the Lord what my focus should be. The following verses are what I heard.
Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16 NRSVUE
-and-
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NRSVUE
The opening photo reminds me of the Jeremiah passage. Frequently in life we come to a crossroads. We have the choice how we respond. The people of God are instructed in this passage to stand (not run out there), look, ask for ancient paths, where the good way lies and THEN to walk in it. So fitting with me reading Practicing the Way by Mark Comer and trying to put it into practice. Going into silence at the Convent is one of the ancient paths that restores my soul. More than walking in it, it seems that sitting in the silence is my path at first, though walking the grounds in silence is also restorative.
Stand, Look, Ask also requires listening on my part. I want to follow after the Lord and not refuse to walk in the paths I am shown.
A favorite of mine! Hangs next to our bed!
And the second passage from Matthew? I could have spent the entire weekend on that one and not be finished. The Spirit did ask me to write down the things that made me weary from 2025. I filled several pages in a small journal. Those occurrences suddenly morphed into the things that brought me joy! I then added, “Lord, I am finding a sense of REST just writing out the burdens and blessings.” And so the weekend began. My eyes were opened to the continuous presence of the Lord and any blessings that came with the challenges. “Taking your yoke of the Way is helping me. Continue to help me LEARN from you. You are gentle and humble of heart.”
Remember I was looking for the obscure compline hymn? I found that recording on YouTube? I listened to the entire compline service and right there – in that service – they read Matthew 11:28-30. I was blessed, stunned and should not have been at all surprised that my steps were directed to that path!
What a mighty, caring, loving, attention to details God we serve. God is gentle and humble of heart and I am finding rest for my soul. My prayer is that you, also, will find rest for your soul in this mighty Savior.
As I mentioned yesterday in this blog “When I went to the Associates retreat over a week ago I was watching for my full stop. I consider the retreat a success when I finally put everything aside and come to a full stop before the Lord.” The ‘Providence of God’ is defined as the purposeful sovereignty of God. Sovereignty is the royal rank, authority, power.
My full stop came at an unusual time for me. I had decided to honor my need for rest, even if that need interfered with a scheduled convent prayer service or even the Eucharist. Saturday late morning I decided to lay down for a nap. I was looking out my window in the retreat house. The leaves on the tree were blowing, but not yet falling. I was reminded of Brother Lawrence.
Brother Lawrence is reported to have said: “That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time, the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for GOD, that he could not tell whether it had increased in above forty years that he had lived since.”
And then I realized:
Seeing this tree in autumn, knowing the changes it will endure as leaves fall and then are renewed, and after that the flower and fruit will appear, I see a high view of the Providence of God, which shall not be effaced from my soul. This view sets me free from the world, and kindles in me such love for God, that I can not tell whether it has decreased since my childhood times fifty years ago in Robison Park with God.
Yes, my full stop. I then went peacefully to sleep.
God is able to grow these trees, to keep these trees through drought and storms, wind and hail, all of the seasons and even the insults of mankind. God is able to keep me, also, regardless of what comes my way. There have been so many events in 2025 that have been difficult and/or upsetting, yet I have been kept through all of them. There is such a love for God kindled in my soul. I am in awe.
Sit for a minute and reflect upon your year thus far. Remind yourself of all the many ways you have been kept. Be grateful and in awe.
Recently I was given a magazine called “First for Women.” I kept it because I wanted to read the cover article about Queen Latifah. I came to appreciate her talent through a TV program that aired for a couple of seasons. That article was pretty good, but what got me really excited was the article about “Glimmers.”
I had not heard of this idea before. It is similar to gratitude or gratefulness, yet slightly different. I guess it began with research by Deb Dana, LCSW with Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. He is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. Their research has to do with study of the polyvagal theory in trauma treatment. The concept of glimmers has gone viral on TikTok. (I do not use it, but the magazine reported it.) Deb Dana says, “In these moments the vagus nerve is in a state of regulation. To fully thrive, we also have to experience safety and connection. Glimmers remind us that good does exist in this crazy world.”
Speaking with The New York Post Ms. Dana said, “Glimmers are these tiny moments of OK-ness, joy, excitement, ease, calm, any of those flavors that give you the feeling that you are safe enough in the world to feel present and OK,” Dana said.
How do you know if you’ve bumped up against a glimmer?
“You may feel something happen in your body, a warmth or an openness or breath change, or your eyes might focus on something. It may bring a slight smile. So there’s an embodied response,” she added.
“The brain follows suit with its own response, recognizing that something is beautiful or fun or that it likes it: “It’s a body-brain experience, and they work together,” Dana noted.
“Noticing glimmers is a powerful healing practice. It’s important to remember that no glimmer is too small to notice. Each small moment of goodness contributes to a broader sense of well-being and recovery. Think about each glimmer as one piece of a larger puzzle. By actively looking for and appreciating these moments, you can gradually shift your focus from the pain of trauma to the small joys in life.
“Over time, this practice can lead to significant improvements in your mental health and resilience.”
I believe we all need improvements in our mental health especially in this tumultuous year of 2025. So if you have grown tired of listing gratitudes, or sharing your gratefulness, why not begin to look for glimmers? Then take the bold step of sharing them with someone else! Remember, no glimmer is too small!
The first definitive rain and cold front moved through here the other day. Up at the flower shop the wind even threw on its side a potted tree. The many oak leaves that had littered the yard are gone – poof! – taken off to other places. The maples are starting to change, but have not yet blessed us with yellow showers. That will begin momentarily.
Writing about October author Joyce Rupp in her book “May I Have This Dance” says, “Although autumn might seem to be a harsh reminder of death, we can also be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life. We see autumn standing in surrender as the winds sweep her trees naked. The frost browns her meadows and deadens her plants. But a deeper truth is beneath the appearance of death.
“A movement toward life takes place in autumn. Dead leaves that seem to have no value are transformed by winter snows and spring rains to rich humus for new growth… No new growth will come unless autumn agrees to let go of what has been. The same is true of our lives.”
Is that woman a great author or what?!? Are we willing to let go of what has been? Bob and I celebrate our birthdays about three weeks apart. He is two years older than I am. This aging thing brings both of us face to face with the changes that have occurred in our bodies over the many years we have been married. We are no longer strong and as frivolous like in our youth. We both want to approach aging with calmness, peace and an acceptance of what is. That is easier to write than to do. So much easier.
Turn the page
I do know from reading and re-reading the book Radical Acceptance that I only increase my suffering by refusing to accept what is. So here I am turning the corner on 75 and he just turned 77. My older friends in their 80s and 90s tell me I am still young. Whew! I do not feel young!!
The Holy Spirit assures me that God is not finished with me yet. As I learn what I am to lay aside and where to proceed I remember the trees and the changes autumn brings.
Molly, can you stand in surrender and be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life? Dallas Willard taught that eternal life begins now for those of us who love and follow closely after God. There truly are times in my encounters with the Holy One that I can forget the challenges by body presents and breath deeply of the life God offers me in the here and now.
The following piece of music helps me do just that if I will stop, breathe deeply and listen closely. I hope it helps you draw close to God in the present moment and blesses you. I hope you will take the time to listen to all of this piece. For me, it is like a musical prayer. Three minutes, 53 seconds of bliss. Just stop and listen.
John Mark Comer has me on a growth course. I am trying to do his ‘first thing in the morning exercise.’ I get my coffee and sit in my prayer chair at the bedroom window. Lately I have been reviewing the day before briefly with the Lord. Then I ask for a Psalm or Scripture to focus upon. I pray that passage to God. I talk with God about my life. I listen for his voice and “attempt to just let go.” Comer goes on to instruct, “But most of the time I just sit there. I breathe. And I look at what my eyes can’t see.” Lately, I have taken that looking to mean adoration.
My journal entries from this practice have blessed and carried me throughout the day. I have returned to wearing my beaded bracelet that reads, “Constantly renewed immediacy.” When it rattles or gets my attention I do my best to renew my immediate awareness of the Lord’s presence.
The time flies past when I practice this. And it also takes almost no time at all! I am amazed and delighted. I refer to the daily Lectionary readings to find the psalm(s) of the day. Sometimes I use those. Or one of the readings, or we just sit together. Here is one entry from last week.
25-10-9 Awaken me to You
Lord the day has begun as a computer mess. Like a bucket of messy spaghetti poured all over the floor. I choose to let that distraction go and pray for you to “hold my face in your hands” as Stephanie sings in “When You’re This Close.” My heart’s desire is to know you as this close. I am dizzy with new drug dose. Getting 2 immunizations today and needing your touch with those. Protect me my Lord from side effects and reactions I pray. I already have a clenched stomach since yesterday.
I look to you as my healer. Psalm for the daily office – Ps 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quiet my soul, Like a child at it’s mother’s breast Like a child that is quieted is my soul.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
As I still my soul and make it quiet I realize it is drugged and bleary. Lord hold me close. Awaken me to your presence and your care. I want to be aware of you. Like Brother Lawrence I want to be aware of your closeness and touch. I want to hear your voice saying turn to the right or turn to the left. Isa 30:21
I wait and listen for you now. As I got still I heard,
This is just a season, an episode, like a cloud passing over the earth, an occurrence that will pass. Wait it out with expectations for great things, not doom. Look to me and be radiant. (Ps 34)
You are a good, good Father. Even as I read out to Pastor Brad (at Bible study last night so he could write them on the white board) what the psalms were for today I did not catch 131 as one of my favorites. Even as I typed it and read it with bleary eyes it did not register until I had the computer read it back to me this morning, until you encouraged me with “wait it out with great expectations.” O Lord forgive me for gloom and help me to fix my eyes upon you with great expectations. The Insight meditation about letting go of control brought me ‘round to facing you fully and being held in your arms of love. I am going to be okay.
EXPECTATIONS FOR GREAT THINGS, NOT DOOM
7:14AM new bird call, still seems dark. Not new, Merlin Bird ID says little Carolina Wren singing praises.
So I went into that day trying to calm and quiet my soul. Waiting upon the Lord with expectations for great things. The next day I had to remember the message I heard from this day as the side effects of the immunizations kicked in. One evening Bob and I both felt just lousy and went to bed early, but we tried not to let that get us down. The immunization side effects have lessened now. The new drug dose, well, I still am not accustomed to it. Hopefully I will adjust soon!
Have you tried this method of starting your day? Have you written down the experience. I strongly encourage both. I never do this with the idea of sharing with anyone else. I do it for myself. Though sometimes, I am asked to let you glimpse what happens between my Lord and me. I hope those glimpses encourage you to try this sort of practice. God is no respecter of persons. He will help you and bless your attempts to practice his presence.
Many people are credited with the wisdom about prayer that says, “I look at Him. He looks at me, and we are happy.”
St. Therese of Lisieux is quoted as saying, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
It is said about a farmer. It is said about an old man who went to church everyday and just seemed to be sitting in the pew. Finally the priest asked him what he was doing. He replied, “I look at Him. He looks at me, and we are happy.”
and we are happy
Have you tried this? Remember John Mark Comer wrote, “Because it’s here – looking at God, God looking at us, in love – that we are happy, that we are most free, content, at rest, at ease, grateful, joy filled and alive.”
I challenge you to try practicing this for a full week. Spend several minutes every day simply looking towards the King of kings and letting the King look at you. Be at peace and be happy there. Then, as our weatherman is fond of saying, “Rinse and repeat.” Do it tomorrow and the next day and the next. This too is a valuable form of prayer!
“In returning and rest I am saved, In quietness and trust is my strength.” Isaiah 30:15a
I belong to a Monday night Zoom book discussion. The leader recently suggested we read Practicing the Way. Written by John Mark Comer, this book quotes some of my favorite authors: Brother Lawrence, Dallas Willard, Thomas Kelly, Madame Guyon and others.
Published January, 2024
There are YouTube video interviews, podcast interviews and many more resources. If you go to the website https://www.practicingtheway.org/ the resources for getting you started and keeping you inspired are numerous!
You might remember that the early followers of Jesus were said to be “The Way.” Jesus referred to himself as the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6). In Acts the early followers are referred to as the Way. There are many references in the New Testament.
Quoting Karl Rahner, Comer writes,
“The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all.”
He goes on to say, “Mystics are just those who aren’t content to read books or hear sermons about this glorious reality; they want to experience this love and be transformed by it into a people of love. Because it’s here – looking at God, God looking at us, in love – that we are happy, that we are most free, content, at rest, at ease, grateful, joy filled and alive.”
When was the last time you spent time just BEING WITH God. Not asking for anything, but just spending time together? Thinking over this idea I realized that many of my retreat times with the Transfiguration Community have brought me to this place of resting in God, being with God, looking lovingly at God and knowing I am being seen by God.
Often when I go to the cemetery where Daughters go to die, the purpose is to remind myself that I am seen and heard and loved by God. I drop all the clutter that occludes this wisdom and rest there in God.
The best way for me to learn is taking notes and typing them up. I will be doing this the next few weeks. My goal is not to reproduce the book, but hopefully to interest you enough that you might explore it for yourself. At least you might glean some wisdom from the notes I share?
You have likely seen the bumper sticker that asks, “Do you follow Jesus this closely?” John Mark opens with sentiment that we might be “covered with the dust of our rabbi” meaning follow Jesus so closely that the dust he kicks up will be all over us. I think that is a great word picture! I pray it will be true of you, also. If I understand correctly he got the image from Rob Bell who got it from Hebraic teaching.
