The Flying of Time

How often do we say, "I don't have time for...!"? Filling in the blank can lead to a list of things that we wish we could get done but don't. Way too often reading scripture is one of those things. Sure many of us know its importance, but too few of us take the time.  To make it easier, I installed a Bible study app on all my devices so I would take the time. And as is true with many of you, I found that the app wasn't being used. Each day I looked at the app and each day I said, "I don't have time." And each time I said that I would cringe inside.

God to the rescue. 

I kept asking God for a multitude of things each time returning to Her Word. "If I would only read the Bible more." So this morning, instead of taking my usual prayer books into my prayer space, I took the Bible app. To my dismay, the reading plan I opened was started in December 2012. It was to be a 1 year plan. I had "successfully" stretched it, made it last, got long life out of it. Terrible! Just plain terrible. 

I did not allow the dismay to last. I honored my effort to read God's Word and hit the button to continue reading. And what JOY entered my being. and before I knew it, time flew.

What a book to get lost in! What stories to relish! 

As I return to my journey through God's Word, I invite you to join me. Let us all bask in the glow of the flying of time as we savor the Words of God.

PeaceCenteredwholeness 

In Darkness There Really is LIGHT

I've been masking. Yes it's true. I've been covering up the darkness that has creeped into my being as times have grown financially dim. I kept telling myself that God IS surely providing. That things will be well. And as creditors went yet another month without payment, I wondered...will it be well? How long do we wait before we make contingency plans? Of course there were many other questions that had the darkness deepening. AND then...there is GOD!!! Lily in the Valley; The WayMaker; the LIGHT in the darkness.

In this place of darkness, I need only OPEN my eyes and there, right before me, is our God. What a marvelous sight to behold. Open your eyes in your darkness. Don't keep your eyes shut due to fear. And right before you will be God. LIGHT for the journey onward.

Peacefulness

Ending to the Beginning

So the end of my first summer as the Associate Director of Continuing Education and Enrichment Programs in the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) at Xavier University of Louisiana came faster than I thought it would. And what a summer it was. As I found my way through, I shared my joy of fun with everyone. #followtheorangeKiaSoul became the tagline for raising scholarship money for the IBCS enabling more students to attend. Now that I'm back home I find that I'm looking for IBCS merchandise in the Kia Soul that I need to be selling. Is that what PTSD is? Well I guess that's a little strong, but the thought is genuine: I'm missing my work in New Orleans. As I continue to transition to the work here in Chicago I find a similar excitement to my work. I still am sharing what it means to be a Black Catholic to me in our world today.

So the end of the 2014 Beginning has come. Stay tuned for what is next on this journey towards peace.

Beginnings

Registration for the 2014 Session of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies is over, signaling another beginning. As I prepared to receive students into the Continuing Education and Enrichment Programs, I received a migraine. I was interested in welcoming a migraine, as it really interfered with my welcoming nature. As I continued to suffer, the IBCS community came to life around me and the village took over the work I was to do.

Beginnings. Though things don't always turn out like we plan, the fact that they start is what matters. I am grateful for the people who stepped into the gap so that I could heal. And healing is what is happening. What else could happen after people laid hands on me and prayed God's healing mercy? I must admit, God is moving at a different pace than what I would like, but God is moving.

At that how it is? We want God to move differently cause we figure we know what is best? Well, Well. Our job is to recognize God's movement when it is different from what we wanted. That way, no matter what, we will have a praise party.

The Institute for Black Catholic Studies is beginning it's 2014 Session. Pray for us as we will be praying for you.

Peacefulness

Me and You

You open me in so many ways.
I am constantly amazed by what You do
           especially to me.
Unworthy I am.
Worthy You make me
           just by loving me.
How can I love as You are teaching me?
How do I move past the hurt and anger
           towards Your peace
                    that I seek?
Moments spent with You help.
Quiet with You
           me not trying to control the flow.
Unworthy I am.
Worthy You make me
           just by loving me.


originally written 12 May 2014