An Image that makes them Sad

"How long will grown men and women in this world
keep drawing in their coloring books
an image of God that
makes them
sad?


Love Poems from God by D. Ladinsky, p.117

Meet n' Greet

Talk about Exciting News! I'm now officially a member of the RevGalPal Blogging community (that's their icon over there in the left column - please visit the many wonderful blogs you will find there)...What an Honor...now I feel like I should be saying something rather profound.....hmmm.....my mind's a blank at the moment...how about Thank You!

So here's a little background info for those of you who don't know me...I live in Sequim (pronounced Squim) with my husband of many many years. We have 4 adult kids and 6 grandkids...over 2 years ago I started sending daily quotes out to a few friends by email..what started as a wee bit of daily encouragement grew and grew until I decided perhaps it was time to blog them (though I still do email them too).....So here you will find lots of quotes and a few thoughts and the occasional rant thrown in.

Spiritually, I began my faith journey in the Roman Catholic Church, then in my 20's journeyed over to the Evangelical Church and after 20 years felt a call away from there to a desert experience.....dry, dusty, and dull at times but eventually God brought me, in a very circuitous route, to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.....otherwise known as My Spiritual Home...I'm a practicing Spiritual Director and Counselor, and I'm a newbie in this strange thing they call "the discernment process".

As for the Leprechaun part.....I was born in Belfast, N. Ireland, my family emigrated to the U.S.A. when I was 2.....and back when my kids were in school I would dress up as the Giant Leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day and visit their schools (which they found very embarassing), local businesses and nursing homes. Nowadays I still dress up on March 17th, passing out chocolate gold coins to those who are wearing green. So far I have not been arrested or taken away by men wearing white coats......

The Road to Emmaus

"On the evening of his resurrection, Jesus came up to two of his disciples who were going to the village of Emmaus. But they did not realize that the Risen Christ was walking alongside them. There are times in our life when we lose the awareness that, through the Holy Spirit, the Risen Christ is with us. Whether recognized or not, he is present, even when nothing seems to suggest it."

from Peace of Heart in All Things by Brother Roger of Taize

I Become One with the Speed Limit!

Last week I told my friend Anita that on this birthday I was turning the speed limit and she (who lives in California) informed me that the speed limit down there was 65! So this signs says it all! I'm so looking forward to this year. There's a vibrancy to my life these days that I never thought I would have again. But God is always being and doing something within us before we know it ourselves. This is the task of the Spiritual Director - to listen for what God is doing in others....and I am fortunate to have so many who help me with this process in my own life - my wonderful husband David, my children and grandchildren, my friends, my family, my rector, my spiritual director, my discernment committee and all the saints at St. Paul's.....thank you one and all for loving me!

Laugh!

"Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God" - Karl Barth

Laughter is such an important part of our lives....did you know that some scientists have said that laughing 100 times equals the same physical exertion as a 10 minute workout on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on a stationary exercise bike? Sounds good to me! Who knew that laughing could work out the diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles! So if you just can't get to the gym - watch a Marx Brothers movie....and LAUGH!

Trials....

Your trials did not come to punish you, but to awaken you.
- Paramahansa Yogananda

HEY

The grass beneath a tree is content
and silent.

A squirrel holds an acorn in its praying hands,
offering thanks, it looks like.

The nut tastes sweet; I bet the prayer spiced
it up somehow.

The broken shells fall on the grass,
and the grass looks up
and says,
"Hey."

And the squirrel looks down
and says,

"Hey."

I have been saying "Hey" lately too,
to God.

Formalities just weren't
working.


Love Poems From God, p. 82 Daniel Ladinsky