Embracing Limits

I like to think of myself as a fixer. Not of objects, but people. Now surely I know that I can't "fix" anyone, but I like to think that by listening I offer paths that help people "fix" their situation.

But there are limits. Limits that I don't always want to embrace. I want to "fix"it. I know that experience is the best teacher, yet I still try to help people avoid the pain, the sadness, the heartache, the disappointment.

Fixers, at least this fixer, use storytelling to help them explain situations better. Don't you just love a good story? Don't you find it easy to sink right into the story?

Your story helps me find my way in my story. But there are limits.

Sometimes, no matter how many stories I tell, the person just doesn't understand what I'm saying. That's when I have to step back and embrace my limitations. That's when I see so clearly that God has marked out different steps.
                                        And it won't be me getting in the way of God's ordering!!

Where is your labyrinth taking you?

The Messiness of Being a Christian

Some days I want to shout to the high heavens, "The Hell with It!!! Just stop already. Stop waiting for us to get it. Stop waiting for us to be better witnesses of Your Love. Can't you see how we're messing it all up? Can't you see that we continue to flounder. Just stop already. It's too much to deal with. Human relationship are a mess!!! Just bring on the end times won't You?"

Then a still small voice says "Hang on timone! Don't give up! Don't let go of Me! I AM here. Trust that I AM working it out for the GOOD."

And so, that's what I do. TRUST.

Each day as I encounter my mess and other people's mess, I trust the voice of God who says to me that ALL is being work out for GOOD.

Each day I must renew my strength.

Each day I must recommit myself to the Gospel.

Each day I must say YES to God's will and not my own.

Otherwise, the messiness of being a Christian closes in on me and I collapse.



May the peace that surpasses all understanding guide my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Surrendering for PEACE

It has been quite some time since I've written anything on this blog. It's not that I forget, for I have a weekly reminder set for it. What has been interesting for me is that I haven't wanted to write. It seemed as though I didn't have any words. No those of you who have been reading my blog know that I don't seem to run short of words. Yet, when it came to the blog, I just didn't have anything to say.

I mentioned this to my spiritual director last month and she said I should explore that more and see what God is saying to me. If you've been to spiritual direction before, you know that her response was a good one, but .... Don't you just want them to tell you what it means sometimes?

LOL!!!

Well I've been sitting in this non-writing space for quite some time and today, while in devotion I came across the word, surrender.

Surrender is usually connected to giving up.
Today, I'm seeing surrender as letting go.
Letting go

• of the need to be in control
• of the need to be right
• of the search for the "right" answer
• of the fear of being ME
• of other people's impressions of me
• of yesterday's misery
• of dead/dying relationships
• of my biases and prejudices
• of any limited view of GOD

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Oh, let us PRAISE!!! our God. Let us magnify God, as we SURRENDER for PEACE.

Mindfulness and Lent

I am teaching a class this semester entitled, Mindfulness and Pastoral Care. As we have delved into the subject, students and teacher alike, began to discover some great benefits. Last week we sat with a mindfulness instructor to learn even more. What a great experience.

I have learned that my biggest block to mindfulness meditation is the inability to be gracious to myself. I realized that I spend too much time chastising myself about my improper techniques instead of just being aware.

Lent is a great time to practice mindfulness, the ability to be aware of one's surroundings, to be present to now. With the practice of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, we're called to be present in ways that typically slip by us. Mindfulness and Lent have opened me to NOW in a new way; in a way that says it's okay to BE. Being helps center me for doing.

As I continue my mindfulness practices and walk with my students through theirs, I pray that we move away from our critical nature of finding fault and sit in the peacefulness of being.

Well It's About Time

It's about time I wrote something. But what do I write? I've been working diligently on my courses that I haven't had a creative thought. That's when I decided I might as well write anyway. If I don't write here, I won't get started on that book. And many of you know, the book is long overdue. Well, I haven't started on it yet, but I will by the end of the semester.

I'm really excited to finally start the book project. It's been a long time coming. So if in the next few posts you find yourself reading material that just seems to be me mindlessly writing, that is what it will be. I'll be working to write for writings sake, so I can get the words flowing and move past this writer's block.


As I prepare for Lent, perhaps the time I'll be spending in prayer and reflection will assist me in my writing. Above all, I hope that Lent will find me offering forgiveness and extending Mercy.

Peacefulness