Trustin' in Grace and in The Wisdom of the Body

So I had a Lent themed book picked out but when it came time to order it, I was having 

trouble finding it. When a copy finally arrived on Tuesday, some of the pages are so messed 

up in places that I can't make out all of the words. While disappointed, after sitting with it 

for a bit, I knew.  It will need to be returned.

In the midst of all of that planning, this preordered book quietly arrived a couple weeks back. 

I remember smiling when I opened it to see more orange, and both the title and cover spoke 

to me. I then set it aside with a promise to return to it... later.

After reluctantly giving up on my first choice for a Lenten companion, I picked this one up 

last night and started reading.

And lookie what I found just in the intro of this book that so clearly chose me:

"You are beginning the long and beautiful journey home."

"The body speaks truth if we would only learn how to listen."

"... the body calls us fully present here and now."

..

Ah, she says as a wide smile spreads, if practicing Grounded means to practice being 

fully in this present moment, doesn't that mean being fully in my dear body as well?

Yes. 

🍊

#grounded2017

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Ash Wednesday 2017

As I sat in mass this morning, it was interesting to notice

the feelings that arose inside of me...

I just don't relate to or understand the why behind all of the

guilt?

shame?

lecturing?

that I heard in the readings.

After mass, I flipped thru the Lenten songs 

and, seeing this one, 

brought a sigh of relief.  

Yes.  

This is how I want to intentionally practice Lent this year.

On my way to work, took a moment to say "hello."

Before walking into work, I was feeling well.

Content.

I revisited a favorite blessing as soon as I sat down at my desk.

And then.

We had a l-o-n-g, unexpected 2-hour lunch meeting

with one of the leaders in our new firm.

The news of our new location was deeply disappointing.

And not in the area they promised they'd look.

I do understand the reasoning behind it all.

But the reality is the drive in will be much farther for me,

perhaps even doubled.

I was not happy.

In hindsight,

it was amazing to me to see the difference in my face

that a few hours 

and challenging news

can make.

I think I look years older in my second selfie.

Mama Grace, 

please give me strength.

Amen.

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Holy Week - Praying in Color

So as I committed to walking this week's readings and praying with them, I found that the words that were shimmering for me were the ones that pointed to first Jesus' love and patience for those around him and then the love shown to him. About mid-week, the phrases "where is the love?" and Mister Rogers "Look for the helpers" (when there is so much tragedy around that it can be overwhelming) became welcomed companions as I read these difficult readings.

Once we finished our "Praying in Color" circles, we were invited to come up with a story using the words that we were drawn to from this week's readings. Here is my "story":

When troubled and wondering "where is the love?," remain near, tethered to the one who cares deeply for you. Like a shepherd who tends her beloved sheep, she will wash your weary body, and raise and soothe your tired spirit. Follow her . . . She can be trusted.

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Butterfly Spiral - Finished

A whole spiral of Hope.

I have really enjoyed this process!

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Praying in Color :: Holy Monday

I do so love this process.

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Praying in Color :: Palm Sunday

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Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 6

This week's breaths of fresh air.

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Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 5

New creations snuggled in between. 

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Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 4

This week's reminders of New Life

I'm so enjoying doing this!

(So much so that some days 

I *really* want to go ahead 

with making the next day's beauty :) )

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Butterfly Spiral ~ Week 3

This week's beauties:

Still very much enjoying this process!

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Lenten Butterfly Spiral ~ 2nd Sunday

Close up of this week's lovelies.

I'm really enjoying this process!

Blessed be.

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Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Dear hubby who loves to laugh and play.  He will totally get a kick out of this photo I snap chatted just for him.

2.  Deep love that still spreads so warmly across my face and heart whenever I see these three longtime, faithful companions, 3-d glasses, remotes, and all.

3.  A quiet evening at home spent writing with oil lamp company.

4.  The fun of discovering snow in the morning here in south - always pretty and it usually doesn't last too long.

5.  The joy that comes from writing a new intro in an old group.  Love how that process brings home for me where and who I am in this moment.  (Especially love the feeling that I'd like to get to know me, too)

6.  Freedom that comes from finally detaching, letting it be, and listening well to Grace and my heart regarding a relationship I've been struggling with.

7.  Cheer-filled twinkle lights on a cold evening in February.

8.  Flock of robins that sang to me all morning and flew right over my head as I got the mail today.

9.  Bliss of an intentional, full hour of quiet meditation and reading this evening.  And the "welcome home" sense I felt from turning away from a meditation experiment while coming back to what has worked so well for me and the assurance that it will continue to.

10.  Brightness brought on by fresh bulbs in the lights over my kitchen sink.  (Some light, if too bright, feels oppressive to me.  These feel just the opposite ... clear and lighting my way)

11.  Being intentionally surrounded by angels again - I can see 17 from where I sit, here in my chair.

12.  Connecting with and getting to know new friends.

13.  The new practice of my Lenten butterfly spiral.

14.  Happy stack of crocheted granny daisy hearts.

15.  Feeling sleepy.

and it is Enough.

Blessed be.

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Lenten Butterfly Spiral of Hope

If you've been following me here, you may remember that I have Ann Voskamp's son's wooden Advent spiral wreath and, over the years, have come to really treasure using it in December. Advent is my favorite season in the church year, serving as a tender affirmation that even tho our culture and the world around us may forget, sometimes our life *is* spent in waiting (and sometimes there is very real groaning as we wait, too), which is certainly more what my life has looked like.

I love having the gentle, consistent reminder during Advent that as I move my tea light down one space on my wreath each day, Mary on her donkey and I are traveling together in our journey towards what is birthing in each of us. She is very good company.

All that to say that I just don't resonate with using my spiral wreath with the extension and the wooden Christ carrying his cross at Lent. So I don't . . .

This year I've been using this Praying in Color template for my Lenten practice instead.  In a group discussion recently, one member shared that she once spent a month creating a butterfly a day.  I was so taken with her idea that I've decided to fill my Lenten spiral up with butterflies. Hope was my word for last year and I see this as a lovely, intentional way to deepen "Her" presence in my life.

When taking these photos this morning, I plopped my "calendar" down here on the table next to my chair, exactly where I keep my wooden spiral during Advent.  On a whim, I thought wouldn't it be lovely to put my little cut-glass tea-light candle holder in the middle of the spiral so I did.

It wasn't until after I'd taken the photos that I realized, in that small act, I was reclaiming a practice that has meant so much to me in Advent.  Indeed, I had found a much more meaningful way to be with it in Lent. 

*And* have I mentioned that I love, love, *love* the idea of marking each day with a butterfly? :)

Because it's fun to watch it grow, plus it helps to keep me on track, I'm thinking I'll be posting a picture of my spiral every Sunday.

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Lent "Praying in Color" Spiral

Began my new "Praying in Color" spiral for Lent yesterday.

(I'm thinking I might just do a butterfly every day.)

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Wordless Ash Wednesday

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