John

Stillness

I'm trying to be still and notice more, as we enter into the busy season of summer.  As I try to balance work and ministry, I always seem to find myself going somewhere in a hurry.  Despite this busyness, I've found some ways to rest in God's love that have become dear to me.  For example, when I fly, I've found that noise-canceling headphones and my Ipod provide just enough background to enter into a time of prayer, sometimes for an hour or more.  I've also stopped turning on the TV when I'm staying at hotel rooms.  Resting in the quiet moments with Him is much more refreshing.

This morning, I thank God for the gentle ways that He finds to remind me of the quiet times that allow me to return back to His arms. I thank Him for the times of silence that are too rare in my busy life.  As I strive to do a better job of finding them, I'm grateful for the times that I do have.

Transitions

My life has undergone a number of transitions in the last month.  The first has been the transition back to full mobility after an ankle fracture.  I've still got a few more months of swelling to put up with, but at least I'm cleared for full activity.  Just in time for camp!

I've also made the transition from lay person doing ministry to credentialed minister.  I'm still bi-vocational, but now can take more of a leadership role in worship services.  Along with this change comes more responsibility, particularly in times when Pastoral care is needed.

I've also transitioned into a broader role in my ministry.  I've been associated with our youth program for the last few years, but am now moving to add the spirituality aspects as a more concrete part of my role in the congregation and area.

For each of these transitions, I'm grateful to God for leading me.  My prayer this morning is that I will have the courage and strength to faithfully follow where the road leads.

Healing

I'm now back on two feet.  The crutches and fracture boot are just memories.  But the soreness and slight limp are my reminders that healing is a long process.  As the day goes on, I notice the soreness less and my ankle stretches out, but by the end of the day, the limp and soreness are back to remind me.   I don't mind because the reminder is helpful that something is different.  Something calling me to a new level of awareness of my day.  Particularly during lent, I'm welcome for the reminder to move a little slower and see my day with new eyes.

I know that as the healing progresses, this awareness will become less and less.  My tendency will be to go back to my old ways.  My days could again be filled with activity and busyness.  But God has offered me this invitation. This reminder.  A chance to make a change and stick with it.  I'm sitting with that awareness and slowly looking at my activities, my days, my work with these new eyes.  May I never forget their lessons....

This Day

In my prayer time this morning, the verse was simple and sweet: "Give us this day our daily bread".  Short verses like this are always more challenging for me, particularly as I try to find the word or phrase that offers the invitation.  Today, it was "this day".  As I reflected on God's invitation for me today, I was reminded of all the hope, opportunity and joy that were possible TODAY, if I only take the time to notice them and to offer them to others.  What a contrast from my day yesterday that involved conference calls from 8AM to 9:30 PM almost non-stop.

So...today will be "this day".  My invitation is to seek out all the offerings and invitations today.  To notice them for the gift that they are and to react to them in a special way.  My prayer this week is that I also remember that each day God gives me is "this day".  What a positive change that would be....

Road to Recovery

I started physical therapy yesterday, only 1 1/2 weeks post surgery.  What a dramatic change in medicine in the last few years.  Instead of completely immobilizing the joint for 12 weeks and then trying to get it to work again, I do a series of less aggressive exercises to keep it from freezing up in the first place.  Although I can't say from first hand experience, I suspect that the new way is a lot less painful for the patient.  It also gives me hope of a quicker recovery as I see the progress being made each day.   

This reminds me of my constant battle with regular prayer (and blogging).  Sometimes I have a hard time slowing down to take time to pray.  The longer I wait, the harder it gets.  It's never that I don't want to pray, it's just not at the top of my mind.  I have to keep reminding myself that with little efforts, a greater outcome is possible.  So...as I do my ankle exercises, I use it as a gentle reminder to pray.  To sit and just be.  And to be aware of the love that is showered on me during this time of injury.  To recognize my blessings....and the God that bestows them.  Amen!