God in all things

Today’s First Reading from James 5 explains the power of prayer in times of suffering and joy. It will be the prayer of the faithful that saves the sick as the Lord will answer. Prayer is powerful and effective we are assured. How often do you turn to prayer to use as an instrument of peace, healing or hope? What does your prayer time look like? Is it daily, weekly, monthly, sporadic? Do you use it as a bargaining chip or allow words of praise to flow from your mouth?

Prayer is a dialogue between you and your God. It is not a monologue. Sometimes the words flow out of us. Sometimes the blessings shower us with peace and grace. When we pray, things change–our minds, our hearts, our lives. Sometimes we can miss a subtle difference and other times the drastic nature of the answer to prayer can stop us in our tracks. God will answer prayer in ways unexpected and undeserved. We discover a strength that we did not believe possible. We inherit a grace that this wayward child should never have received. We find hope in the darkest of moments. We generate joy where none was seen before. Prayer has power–the power of a rushing waterfall against a stone that seemed impenetrable. Each drop–each prayer–gains power and strength in number and intensity.

Storming heaven with our prayers allows us to hope, to believe in something unseen. Mostly prayer teaches us to trust a loving God who has our best interest in heart and mind all the time. God wants the best for us–even when we do not want that. We cannot even imagine what that would look like some days when we are so caught up in what we want.

Praying with others is a gift too. On a recent trip out West, a friend and I prayed every morning. I miss that start to my day. I still do morning and evening prayer by myself but the experience of sharing prayer with another believer is a profound gift. Where two or more are gathered, Jesus is there too and His presence is tangible.

Commit to pray as Lent begins this week. Storm heaven. Open your mind, heart and life to God’s will. Try to pray with others whenever you can. Pray often in these upcoming 40 days in the desert. Perhaps a transformation will occur.

Peace,

Suzanne

What is it about music that gets down deep into your soul? I heard a song on the radio tonight and the images that ran through my mind were powerful. God put a million, million doors in this world for His love to walk through; one of those doors is you had me seeing a giant purple heart walking through doors (purple because it is my favourite colour).  A new spin on being God’s hands and feet,walking through the door speaks to me of action, of putting my whole self into serving God, and ensuring the work of the Kingdom happens. With Every Act of Love by Jason Gray sings of Jesus shining through every act of kindness that we do. 

Alive in us, the Light shines through every door we walk through and every day we walk through another portal to change. Within us is the Love that was planted as we came into being. From that Love shines a Light that is not ours. This Light goes with us on our journey to brighten the darkest moment, to hearten the weary soul. We find courage to conquer our fears, Our hearts warm with forgiveness. We plant seeds of mercy. We bring the Kingdom when we let that Light shine. Heaven touches earth through every act of Love. 

Will you be a vessel?

Peace,

Suzanne

The theme of spending your life returned in the First Reading from James 4 today when the writer asks. What is your life? and responds with “For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  Life is short and time to make a difference can dissolve before one blinks. What are you living for?  What do you want to do before you leave this place? Is there something that burns within you that must be accomplished before the mist dissipates? Is there a deed to do, a song to sing, a story to tell, or a child to raise?  Before the mist vanishes, what is on your must-do list?

Peace,

Suzanne

I am unsure if it is because this month I have spent some time praying for sick relatives or that this topic has come up a number of times for me but I have been reflecting on how I have spent life thus far. We are given one amazing life to spend, to live, to share. How are you doing with our life?

This morning I watched this link that a friend posted on Facebook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHMD_EqM61I&feature=youtu.be and the question came back to me. I have always said that I have lived joyfully and fully. I have known moments so incredibly beautiful that words cannot describe what was inscribed on my soul. I have experienced sorrow so profound that I was never sure if the brokenness would be healed. On the emotional continuum, I have tasted the banquet well.

I have few regrets along the journey though I wish I had learned some lessons without the struggle. My life has not been mine. It has always belonged to God. My early memories are of a deep relationship with the One who abides in All. I breathed the Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius from my childhood, without knowing it. I was created to praise, honour and serve God. My heart has always wanted to serve this Creator, to know everything I could about the One who created me, to praise the Name above all names.

Like most creatures I have failed along the way. I have also stood proudly and bowed my head in awe when I have seen what this lowly vessel can do when I offer myself for the good of all. I have been blessed with amazing people along the way, travels that accentuate the beauty and horror of this world, and opportunities that still sometimes overwhelm me. I have tried to seek God in it all. I have tried to be a light to the dark places. I have been attentive to the deeper meaning in life. I have gone the extra mile. I have received generous acts of love. I am so grateful for it all, even the darkest moments. Life has been such a treasure.

Lately I have been wondering if I have missed a calling. If I have done the deeds God has wanted me to do or if I have wandered off on adventures that have been a diversion. I worry if I have done enough or if I have caused too much pain in the world instead of relieving it. These voices do not bring peace and I have decided that they are not of God. I know that when I get to the Gate I will be tenderly and lovingly greeted, not because of what I have or have not done. None of that is meant to be the reason for my reward. I can enter because God’s mercy and love are abundant. It is not really about me. That does not let me off the hook though. I am still asked to spend this one life graciously and gratefully.

How are you living your adventure?

Peace,

Suzanne

God’s giving is hard to comprehend some days. He makes the sun to rise on both evil and good people. The mercy of our God is unparallel and yet this is the marker for which to strive. Turn the other cheek. Give your cloak. Go yet another mile. Love your enemies. Pray for your persecutor. How is this even possible when blood boils and anger rages? Most of us know we are incapable of doing these things…except for when the grace of God steps in and then suddenly blessings flow. 

In the First Reading today from Leviticus the Lord tells Moses to let the children of Israel know that they should strive for holiness. Bear no grudges; take no vengeance. Rather love your neighbour as yourself. Sometimes when I hear these words images of my travels in Guatemala and DR Congo flash through my mind. I see my Guatemalan friend’s eyes dart around the cafe before answering my question and the fear that someone may overhear his response is tangible. He knows his brother was killed by a neighbour. The pain in the eyes of the Congolese father is evident and slices me to the core, when he demands to know how to forgive the neighbour who murdered his young daughter. Our world can be messed up some days and yet there are bright lights to guide us–parents of the children who were massacred in Connecticut choose Love Wins as their mantra. Pope John Paul II meets forgives his would-be assassin. 

We are the temple for the Holy Spirit of God. We have a chance each and every day to spread love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness. Every day the sun rises, we can vow to be light, salt, joy. We can strive for holiness. Even if we miss that mark, we may land in a much better place than if we had not made the attempt. We may at least take the cloak off or walk a half mile. We may find our hearts softening though still unable to forgive. We may find grace to love ourselves and be gentle as we transform into better agents of mercy. We can dust this temple off and invite visitors into a more spacious home where dialogue can happen.

As the sun rises, embrace the challenge that is placed before us. Give. Walk. Love. Pray. Forgive.

Peace,

Suzanne 

I am starting to get cabin fever a wee bit. I had no desire to drag myself out of the house today. I do not see a thaw in the near future and I am longing to get out and enjoy the fresh air without freezing my nose off. I think I am starting to get whiny. Perhaps my own heart is frozen and incapable of celebrating winter any more.

I stayed inside and ended up getting some items on my to-do list checked off but then I fell into an old habit that I have not done for well over a year–computer games. Oh Sudoku, you have bewitched me! What are your numbing zones? Where do you need some thawing in your life in order to embrace the moment better?

Peace,

Suzanne

What good is it if you have faith but do not have works? This is the prickly question that is posed in today’s First Reading. As a Christian, are you ready to do good works to celebrate your faith? God has given you so much and it is not meant to be shelved or squandered but to be used for the greater good–for all of humanity. 

When I was on vacation recently, a homeless man asked me for money. I stopped and looked deep into his eyes and blessed him but did not give him anything. I try to give food if I have it on me but I did not.  Walking by without looking at him seemed to not be the right answer either. I often wonder what I should really be doing at moments like that. 

I have faith and I have good works and yet sometimes I wonder how to combine the two. I believe in social action. To serve is a deep desire of mine. It stems from my longing to be God’s hands and voice in this world. I want to bring comfort and peace to people. In my weariness some days I wonder if I am on track.

What good works do you do to show your faith?

Peace,

Suzanne

Most of us have these voices in our heads, whispering obnoxious lies: you are not good enough, you are not skinny enough, you are not smart enough, you cannot do it, you don’t have what it takes, you are not…enough. These demons instill fear and worthlessness within us. They crowd out the affirmation and truth, roughly pushing them aside and setting up tents, pounding the stakes into the ground of our self-esteem. Inch by inch, they try to take control of the goodness that we are born with. These fire-breathing dragons need to be silenced. 

The whispered voices must be heard and embraced: You are capable, fear not, trust yourself, you can, you are a shining star, I made you perfect, you are more than enough…with Me. Can we claim these voices instead of the harsh, angry, critical ones? Can we stand on firm ground and know that we are enough?

God has made us for a purpose. God has given us all the unique gifts that are needed for our particular journey. Can you embrace all of who you are and share it joyfully with the world?

Peace,

Suzanne

This time of year is dangerous for driving and walking. Ice makes traveling treacherous. It would be nice to have webbed feet to get around more easily. What would help you survive better at this time of year?

Peace,

Suzanne

There are places in our lives that are landmarks–places that mark our hearts and our histories. Some moments may feel as if we step back into time to a place we know and feel safe in.

Where are the safe and familiar places for you that evoke a sense of home, of knowing where you are, and of believing all is well?

Peace,

Suzanne