God in all things

The Ascension of the Lord is both a joyous event and a sad one. Christ is leaving us in his earthly form and returning to his fully Divine state. He promises to be with us always, until the end of time. As He stands on the mountain, prior to His departure. his disciples worshipped Him, though some doubted.

How do you walk the journey of faith? Do you know that Christ is with us until the end of time? Do you sometimes doubt? Do you worship despite it all?

Peace,

Suzanne

Love and compassion are unpredictable emotions. I sat with my parents waiting to see a doctor yesterday evening into the wee hours of the morning. The time crept by slowly. By hour seven everyone was cranky. Still we found a moment or two of humor and laughter.  I watched as my parents cared for one another–something I do not often get to see. Mom was worried that Dad should go home and sleep. He was not leaving her side.

I wrapped them both in warm blankets at one point and even though I struggle with my relationship with my mother, I was a dutiful daughter, making sure she was comfortable and at ease despite her pain.

I was surprised a bit at my compassion but I know that gift comes from a deeper source than my own strength. Gratitude for glimpsing at grace abounds.

Peace,

Suzanne

There is evidence that spring was here but I think we have fast-forwarded to summer. Another scorching hot day brings smiles to faces. As I look around at the 50 shades of green that continue to spring up, I relax. This is my season. I do not mind sprinting through spring but I do watch for the babies that are all around:  birds, calves, fawns, and the like. Mosquitoes are in full force here too. I suppose not every sign of spring brings rejoicing.

We can miss the signs of the time if we are not paying attention. This blue egg was hard to miss last summer but I am not sure everyone would have seen it on the ground next to the red twig.  Playing hide and seek with the Holy One is a great joy to me. God presents daily if we but keep a watchful eye.

What signs are you seeing of God in your life today?

Peace,

Suzanne

We all have broken pieces in our lives. None of us get to escape the damage. Some of us are better than others at picking up the shattered pieces and carrying on with our lives. I am just finishing up the Brene Brown online course which is in this lesson talking about shame and how it destroys people. She talks about resilience.

In my career I have seen all kinds of staff and students who are broken. Some of them do not know how badly broken they are. Others are perfect examples of resilience and moving on with strength and courage. It is hard to know why some people move through their pain and create a gem from it while others stay stuck.

I choose resilience, trust, courage, hope and joy. What about you? Are you picking up the pieces and using them for good or are you walking on them and continuing to cut your feet and damage your soul?

Peace,

Suzanne

Some days we wonder where the gratitude comes from that bubbles up from some deep source. We catch the sight of something that suddenly has taken our breath away, like tonight’s storm clouds tinged a stunning shade of pink from the sunset (not pictured here) or we smell the newly green leaves budding–if we think creatively we can smell colour and growth. Our distracted hearts are quieted and we realize what great gifts we are constantly given. Every second of the day we receive a gift. Do we have eyes to see all of them? Do we see God in all things at all times?

Peace,

Suzanne

I must admit that I am a Prairie Girl through and through. I am on the road a lot these days and I love seeing the spectacular, never-ending vistas. The world is finally turning 50 shades of green and I rejoice. Creatures are coming out from long hibernations. The farmers are working in their fields. The sky is blue or filled with dark foreboding clouds. Such is the life of a prairie girl.

What is it about where you live that you love?

Peace,

Suzanne

In today’s Gospel of John, Jesus reminds us that if you love Him, you must keep the commandments. He also promises that if we do, we will be given the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Spirit of Truth will set our inner compass to serve and love God. In the First Reading from Acts, Philip and showing God’s love to the world by preaching, casting out demons and healing causing great joy among the crowds. Jesus simply asked that we love one another and this is one way of carrying out the commandments and spreading God’s love in our world.

In the Second Reading from 1 Peter, we are told that we must sanctify in our hearts Christ Jesus as Lord and be ready to share the hope we have as Christians with gentleness and reverence. Love must be at the centre of all we do. We serve Christ because we love our Creator and the created. We keep the commandments not out of fear but out of faith. We stand in Truth instead of lies. At the heart of all we do is a desire to love.  When we love we see our God face to face.

Peace,

Suzanne

Today was an awesome summer-like day. The heat was incredible, even by early morning. I had promised a friend I would join her on her deck to soak up some rays.  About 20 minutes before we got together, the skies clouded over, thunder and lightning began. I am a stubborn person when it comes to summer though. I take what I can get. Twenty minutes on the deck before the first rain drops began was not quite enough but it beats wearing a parka!

I have been having trouble loading up posts to this blog. I am not sure why but that is the only reason I have been silent. I had a couple written but have not been able to post them so sorry to those who do follow me. You will just have to believe that I am here, like the heat and sun, and that one day I will return and make you smile.

Peace,

Suzanne

One person’s gift can be another’s nightmare. These Kinder Surprise Eggs are banned in the USA. The parts of that little rabbit are small and create a hazard for munchkins. 

What gifts do you have that the world needs but that you are afraid to use? Would you rather keep something in the little egg instead of developing it to its full potential, despite its blessings? We can get caught up in the fears and whispers of the darkness and miss that this might be a possibility to serve God.  I am preparing for a talk on Discernment of Spirits and realize that the evil one does strike us at our core fears. If you are paralyzed by fear, I suspect it is not God at work. Pray and see what happens,

Peace,

Suzanne

In yesterday’s Gospel of John, we read that there are many rooms in God’s House for us and so we do not need to be afraid. Those of us who believe are capable of doing so much more than we can ask or imagine. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, we are told in the Second reading from 1 Peter.

Some days we cannot stand in this overwhelming truth. We would rather live in a crumbled, broken-down shed than embrace our holy status. Philip demands of Jesus to show proof and as always Jesus points out that the disciples still do not understand.  Neither do we.  The Trinity is a complicated theological concept. We have seen God when we have encountered Jesus. Is it fear that holds us back from doing the work of the Supreme God?  The power of our gifts are clear when Jesus says we will do greater works than what He has done. We are called into the marvelous Light to proclaim the Good News and to heal a hurting people.

Aim for the room that God has reserved for us. Do not settle for the cheap accommodations that the darkness offers. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He goes ahead to prepare the way; all we need to do is walk in it. Do we dare?

Peace,

Suzanne