God in all things

This week continues to be exhausting as I still am sleepless as mice menances dance in my head while I lay in bed. I would like to escape to Narnia and sit with Aslan. I could rest my head upon his soft fur and listen to him soothe me. I keep moving forward and hoping that sooner than later this problem of mice will be resolved. I am longing for a good night’s sleep. Sometimes when all that is left is the grace of God, a person suddenly realizes how little control over life one has.

The side effect of this event has been to begin to declutter. The 40 bags during Lent that I had hoped to participate in might be surpassed as recycling and garbage bins are full. I am now starting on a collection for the Diabetes association. The vermin has caused me to clean and toss away things that I have been hanging on to. I hope that I will maintain this. I have a long way to go before I am in a decluttered space but being forced to throw away things is a beginning.

When was the last time you wanted to curl up next to Aslan and rest?

Peace,

Suzanne

What a hard first reading today from Second Kings!  The story of Naaman the leper is fascinating. First the King of Israel throws a monkey wrench into God’s plans by rendering his garments and tearing Naaman’s hopes in the action. Elisha convinces him to go with the plan. Then it is Naaman himself who refuses to do the simple task asked of him.  His servants persuade him to do what is asked of him. It is intriguing to see how we too want a hard road instead of the path of blessings.

How often do we say no to the healing God sets before us? We believe that we need to do something challenging. We mistrust instead of embrace.  What is it that holds you back from the freedom God longs for you? Will you listen to the voices encouraging you to believe that this is the time for your healing? Step out in faith. See what happens.

Peace,

Suzanne

Here in Canada most of us turn a tap and we have water without even thinking about it. One of the downfalls of this winter has been frozen pipes so that hundreds of home have been without water. On reserves, running water is not a given, and of course, in many countries women and children walk miles to collect water from a pump or the river and then return to their homes. Here in this photo, a man wheels jerry cans filled with water down a street.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at a well. She is startled by a number of things. First of all as a male he addresses her directly and as a Jew, he should not be talking to her either. The encounter becomes even more confusing as he says that he can give her water that will cause her to thirst never again, and then goes on to tell her things about herself that he should not know.

Our encounters with the Christ can leave us momentarily dumbfounded but as in this case, they should never leave us that way. They should point us to the Living Water that is pure joy and make us thrill at the thought of drinking it. We should feel compelled to go and tell everyone that Someone has known us deeply and has changed us profoundly.

What encounter with Christ has changed you? What do you say about it when you tell others about it?

Peace,

Suzanne

In today’s Gospel, the story of the Prodigal Son teaches us the value of home. You can travel the world but if you cannot go home, what is the value of it? Love and mercy are the emotional ties in this famous tale of a father who never gives up on a son.

When was the last time you extended someone mercy? When was the last time you realized that you are loved unconditionally?

Peace,

Suzanne

Joseph, beloved of his father and envy of his brothers, is a mystery to us. He is a dreamer who knows not the extent of his gift and is therefore both extolled and despised. Unless you are the favourite child in your family, you can probably empathize with the brothers. How often do we sell out those we are supposed to love? We may not always see the present day camels that give us the excuse we need to behave badly but they exist. Lent is a perfect time to examine our hearts and see where we toss our 20 pieces of silver.

Who are you jealous of? Who do you not understand and fear in your life? Who do you try to get rid of in small ways or in tragic dealings? Ask God this Lent to transform your heart into compassion and mercy. Try to see the gifts the person has and know that they are God-given even if you do not understand or appreciate them.

God used Joseph in splendid ways. Perhaps the person that is driving you around the bend is also an instrument of God. Be open to the colourful coat in your life.

Peace,

Suzanne

Today’s First Reading and Psalm 1 talk about a tree that is planted by living waters that will bear fruit.

Have you ever seen anything spring out of a seemingly impossible to grow place? Not only does something work its way out of a hard rock situation but it also thrives and brings tremendous joy to all who witness it. Lent provides that opportunity to each person who surrenders to the desert. Lent can create a new way where none was thought possible. These 40 days can transform someone.

Will you be one of those miracles? What fruit will you bear, you beautiful tree you?

Peace,

Suzanne

Have you ever realized that in the midst of your troubles, the small things keep you grounded? It has been a rough couple of days as I deal with a mouse problem in my house. The landlord and I have had a few hard conversations as he has a cat and his place had one but the cat got it and so they have not come back to his place it seems. My place, on the other hand, has been a party zone. I have provided them with enough chocolate that they should be signing up for a weight loss program real soon. I have slept very little in the past few days. Just as I doze off, I awaken to them scurrying around my bedroom. The sleep deprivation has left me irritable and unwell.

In it all, I have tried to keep my eyes on Goodness and tonight I realize a number of small things have saved me from completely losing it. I had an incident yesterday–an exchange with a stranger at a store–that reminded me I am a generous person even when I do not think twice about doing something and expect others would have done the same. As I walked back to my car, I found myself marveling at my resilience on some levels.

I am so grateful for the people who have reached out over Facebook and given me advice and friends who have checked in with me to ensure I am doing ok. It has been a long haul and I think an end is in sight. The cleaning spree now needs to begin and in my weary state I cannot even contemplate this so will leave it until later in the week. I will only have to disinfect again if they are not gone yet. The exterminators came today and so I am hopeful that the mice will be gone in the next day or so. With any luck (and many prayers) I hope that they do not return in a few weeks.

The street seems to be infested. Two of my neighbours have them. A friend a few blocks away has them running around in their walls. The street is pretty sleepless. We perhaps should call each other when we are awake in the middle of the night. One of the small things is the sense of humour that I maintain.

I must keep my eyes on the blessings instead of the stressings. Each small gift warms my heart and keeps me going forward. I do not know how poor people deal with mice and other rodents when they cannot afford an exterminator. I pray for them tonight–for relief and eyes to see the small blessings in their lives.

Peace,

Suzanne

Yet another snow dump hit my city yesterday, frustrating even the most patient person waiting for spring. It is rather lovely temperature-wise though. I spent the day home sick. I have not been sleeping well and my body was exhausted. The house is semi-quiet at the moment and I wonder if some of the inactivity from the mice means that some of them have succumbed to the measures left out. I hope for a good night’s sleep and will be heading there soon.

I wish though for a warmer destination right now, taking me away from all of this. I was here two spring breaks ago and was thinking it would be lovely to be there now. I can tell that I am weary. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

Peace,

Suzanne

Jesus’ face shone like the sun in today’s Gospel, also read on the Feast of the Transfiguration. As God’s beloved we are also called to shine. In the first reading from Genesis, God tells Abram to leave and go to the land that he will be shown. God promises to bless Abram. This is what happens when we keep our eyes on the Lord. We will be blessed in our efforts if we have prayerfully discerned them as God’s work. It is tempting after a glorious event to stay on the mountaintop, to bask in the warmth of God’s love and forget that the world still needs us to shine, to continue to carry out our mission to bring about the kingdom.

Listen for the voice of God in your life. Act on what you hear. Shine brightly so that all will see God’s glory through you.

Peace,

Suzanne

Today was a day of trying to gain a new perspective.  As a church community several dozen of us gathered to discuss a long-range plan for our parish. This was the beginning of a year-long process. Three hours of deep conversation will hopefully lead us to a stronger future. We have been struggling for some time, and changes have impacted our numbers and our finances. Most importantly, souls have suffered. People have been lost along the way and with prayer some may find their way back to a fold.

I greeted many of those gathered; I only did not know a handful. Many were long-time parishioners who I consider pillars of the church. My own journey has been over 25 years now and I have left many fingerprints over the parish and its work. Despite this, I felt small listening to the big problems and the fears.

I came home to my mouse problem and realize that there are quite a few so it is officially a mice problem. I have discovered their hole though so with any luck my landlord will fix that. My frustration is high. I am officially creeped out by them. I hear them pattering around the house and know that they are creating a health problem for me. I do not like to be in my kitchen right now and so I have consented that they must go in whatever way they can.  I do not like killing but I know that they are smart and cocky. They know how to hide and how to create havoc.

I think about both these events and feel in some ways our church has had a mouse problem for some years now. The foundation is being nibbled at, and there is a spiritual health problem now. I pray that God will intervene and sweep clean this House, restoring it to a clean and upright spirit where people can come to the table and be fed well.

Peace,

Suzanne