Shining Spirit

I took a walk down Memory Lane the other day, lovely walk, beautiful walk, down Memory Lane and I got lost and couldn’t find my way home. It happens, maybe to you, too. I must admit, and perhaps I’ve said this before, I don’t remember…I must admit that I’ve been lost in some wonderful places. I would go back in a heartbeat, if I could remember where they were. Fortunately, I married a woman who has a built in GPS program and a memory that shows no signs of becoming brittle. I’m reminded of her amazing recall when I happen to hear her in conversation with a friend: “O, I remember that. There’s a little cafe with a red roof on the corner where you make the turn. It opens at 7 a.m. but across the street, next to the gas station, there’s another little cafe that opens at 6. We were there 20 years so and I remember it like it was yesterday. Ask for Sarah, by the way; she’s a wonderful waitress.”

Sometimes I forget to take my daily dosage of meds, or return the email that came in the middle of a conversation I had with someone about something that must have been important, or the recorded phone message that says: “I’ll call you right back.” My definition of “right back” is very generous.

But I amaze myself almost daily by praying The Lord’s Prayer; I don’t miss a word, or reciting the Apostles” Creed, or singing one old hymn after another; I know the words. They are etched in my memory. Now, why those things? And the answer is “repetition.” After you’ve sung Amazing Grace 976 times, you know it. I just made up that number, 976; I don’t remember. It was a lot, though.

Time for the good news: I may forget appointments, phone calls to make or return, or even the little cafe on an obscure corner in a small town near Waxahachie, TX; yes, I may forget but I am not forgotten. I am remembered by the God of my ancestors, by that great cloud of witnesses, by The Christ who keeps dropping in to say “Hello” and by The Holy Spirit who moved into my heart and mind a long time ago. In fact, that Spirit just told me that I’ve written enough and should stop. It’s so good to have a friend like The Holy Spirit who is loving, caring, and speaks truth all the time. Maybe you know The Spirit, too.

So, I’m stopping. I’m going to take a walk on a lovely pathway near our home. I’ve enjoyed it so many times, and now that the air is cooling even a little bit, the walk will be wonder-filled. “Hey, honey: how do you get to that trailhead?” By the way, I meant to mention that you are loved, too, by the same Creator, the same Christ, the same Spirit. Sorry, I forgot. You are.

In the Spring of 2013, I introduced you to my friend Tephrocactus Diadematus, a prickly sort of guy. Remember? Because he has such a strange name, I decided to call him “TD.” As I write this 1,000th post on Shining Spirit, I think of the cactus named TD and how its central characteristic is unchangeable and unchanging. TD loves light and the cactus will literally shift positions in order to find the best light source. TD “leans toward the light,” that’s the phrase used eleven years ago.

Still a great phrase, don’t you think? What a wonderful description of how a person grows spiritually over the years. You just “lean toward The Light,” stay in The Light, follow The Light, the man who is described in sacred writings as “the Light of the world.” Leaning toward The Light doesn’t promise a smooth road or a problem-free life, but it does provide strength, courage, and sacred companionship in order to push through those times. The Light of the world is our life source. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” I encourage you today to check how, which way, you are leaning. Toward and into The Light?

Do you remember the old hymn “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms”? If you can remember the tune to that classic hymn, try these words: “leaning on The Light that guides our way.” TD, the cactus plant, is still around and still following the life-giving resources of sunlight. Perhaps in your meditations today you will remember TD and be grateful for all the remarkable reminders of God’s purposes, power, and presence. May you find your way, bravely and faithfully, as you lean into The Light. Press on.

Just let me walk by yellow flowers on an immaculate sunny day.
I will be happy.

Let me speak to the stones about adventures and origins.
I will be happy.

Let me feel the sun tempered by a soft southern breeze.
I will be happy.

Let my first expression of the day and the last be a smile.
I will be happy.

Let all of this be my bread of life from the hand of My Friend
who walks with me.
I will be happy.

Personal note: I just noticed that this ShiningSpirit posting is number 999. One more to 1,000. That makes me happy, too.

In the garden of your heart, plant beauty and gratitude. If nourished by acts of kindness, in time both will burst into bloom. How wonderful to sit on the garden bench and watch the flowers grow. Be at peace today. Be with peace. Be peace.

So, let me put it like this. I’ve earned this day by doing good things and being a good person. I am entitled.

So, let me put my response like this: “Baloney!” A lot of the problems we face in this world are created and fueled by people who believe they deserve First Class, the best seats in the house, and the number one place in the que. They let the rest of us know that “I Am Entitled!”

This day, like every other one, is a gift to be treated with respect and gladness. Put away the grim face and put on the grateful one as you get the wheels of this Tuesday rolling. This is a special gift to you. Don’t be grumpy, be grateful. Be generous with all you possess because a generous heart moves you closer and closer to The Creative Force, The Maker, The Giver, to God. Isn’t that really where we want to be?

Welcome to the sacred gift named Tuesday. All yours. Unwrap it thankfully.

The words of our Benedictine Brother, David Steindl-Rast: “Our spiritual skills — intellectual, emotional, attitudinal and so on — can be trained and improved through practices that make us more awake, alert and alive. Spiritual training aims at the highest aliveness. That is why interaction with Mystery, the central task of human life, is at the core of spirituality. The more we wake up and come alive, the more we become aware of our encounter with Mystery in everything we experience.”

“…interaction with Mystery…” This is what Steindl-Rast calls the “central task of human life.” Put it in words that the average person might use: loving Jesus, walking with Christ, following the Way, Presence, touched by The Spirit. There are so many ways to express this central reality. But words won’t get us there. Belief is just the beginning. How I live today, with spiritual intention, will determine my openness to the central task, to a Presence that waits to be greeted and invited into my heart. “Doing” is the doorway.

Take advantage of every opportunity today, every moment, every opening to act like and be Jesus in the world. And you will come face to face with The Divine Mystery. You will encounter God. Your highest calling, the central task of your human life. May it be so. Amen.

The night has passed, and the day
lies open before us; let us pray
with one heart and mind:

(Your concerns, intercessions in a moment of quiet)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you,
now and for ever. Amen.

Can one little bird make a difference in this enormous creation?

Yes, especially if she sings.

What song will you sing today?  You may never
know if your song makes a difference, but
sing anyway.  Someone might make fun of
your song.  Sing anyway.  If yours is
the only song creation hears today,
it will be beautiful.
Sing today.
Yes, you.

Where does your eye fall in this photograph? Where do you pause for a moment? The tiny, delicate claw-feet? The pattern he wears on his body? Maybe that long, sharp pointed beak? Or, the eye? Yes, the “eyes” have it. Inside that little head is a miniature computer, highly sophisticated and programmed to be afraid of people, even those who want to be friends. I understand, although I regret that we can’t trust each other to be kind and thoughtful. I think we could strike up a nice friendship, at least a level of trust might allow a “Good Morning to you.” But, as they say: “Such is life.”

But I choose not to perpetuate attitudes and actions that produce the “Oh, well, such is life” philosophy. I intend to continue saying “Good morning” and “Nice to see you” and “How’s the family?” And do you know how you and I can do that in the face of fearful realities? By owning this alternative reality: Christ lives in us, both of us. By living out that reality, you and I could change the world, at least a little piece of it. If we really believed that Christ lives in each of us, works through us, speaks through us…and if we allowed that incarnate reality to actually take control of our lives…there might come a day when, with a wink and a long-beak smile, my little friend might say: “Fine, thank you.” And wouldn’t that be something! Two amazing creations of One Creator communicating. Imagine that!

No, don’t “imagine that”. Live it.

O, how I wish for a heart that sings!
Mine is so tired from all that I bring
to the altar of God, all the time that I spend,
programs and councils; it never ends.
So much to do; the conference next week,
here we are right at the peak
of Advent planning; the days fly by;
exhausted at night, I feel my heart cry.
How do I break this cycle of doom?
My soul is so full; there just isn’t room
to take on more; is this God’s desire?
Where is the spark that kindles the fire?

Today I will stop the self-imposed ways
that clutter the hours of my tedious days.
Today I will sit on a bench in the park,
maybe gaze at the stars when the night is dark.
I’ll wonder instead of wandering through
the maze of the old, the list of the new.
I can no longer deal with all life brings
if my soul has no ears to hear my heart sing.

Come Holy Spirit! Reshape my ways.
Give me the will to alter these days
in ways that will foster peace and calm,
the joy in knowing your healing balm.
I will gaze with wonder as each day brings
gifts that prompt my heart to sing.