The ninth day of Christmas brought an unexpected gift: darkness. Not a new kind of darkness, but an old and familiar one, rediscovered. It manifested in the symbol of night, a theme poetically delivered to my inbox by one of my favorite poets, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer (wordwoman.com): “…and the night is a nestbig enough to … Continue reading The Ninth Day of Christmas: Embracing the Gift of Darkness
On the sixth day of Christmas, my True Love gifted me something invaluable: Presence. Yesterday, the final day of our festive celebrations, marked the departure of our cherished Christmas visitors—our daughter and her boyfriend. In the past, such days were overshadowed by a sense of impending loss, a preoccupation with the ‘goodbye.’ However, this year, … Continue reading On the Sixth Day of Christmas: Embracing Presence
Against the grey of a cloudy day,Where shadows dance and drift away,Beside the twisted limbs of the huckleberry tree,Rough in bark, wild and free. There, in stark and vibrant red,A cardinal perched, its majesty spread.Its feathers a flame against the somber hue,A burst of life in the morning dew. I sat enamored, silent, in awe,In … Continue reading A Moment in Crimson
Last night, a pivotal moment occurred: the Northern Hemisphere experienced its maximum tilt away from the sun. This celestial event marked the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Now, as the Earth continues its orbit, we embark on a journey back towards longer days. Today, though subtly, is incrementally longer than yesterday. This … Continue reading Subtly, the Light Grows
The word ‘advent’ signifies a coming or an arrival. Often, when we consider the church season of Advent, we focus solely on the aspect of anticipation. However, this perspective overlooks the profound reality of what has already transpired, what already exists. We are immersed in the Christic Presence. All that is required is for us … Continue reading Advent: Embracing the Arrival
Have you ever felt defined by a mistake, as though a single error could encapsulate your entire identity? It’s common to attach our self-worth to our achievements or failures. Recently, I encountered a similar situation that offered a profound lesson in self-perception and value. The Incident: I love baking; it’s one of my ways to … Continue reading The Cake Incident: A Lesson Beyond Baking
I was looking at my list of items to accomplish today. As I pondered the list, an overwhelming sense of dread began to build. Each task, while necessary, feels like a small chip away at my freedom, making my free spirit feel hemmed in. This dichotomy between spiritual understanding and daily tasks often leaves me … Continue reading Always One More Thing
Every morning, I find myself seated in this chair, or another, when I’m elsewhere. I’ve come to anticipate that sitting here will usher in a sense of inner peace, enabling me to face life’s chaos with greater ease. Gradually, I’m realizing that neither the chair nor its location is magical. The practice itself is just … Continue reading Seeking Peace and Wholeness
“The early morning quiet, a time typically reserved for rest, often eludes me. Unlike most, my Sundays are not days of rest; they are days of work, leading and experiencing worship. I was reflecting on the why of this ‘sabbathing’ thing I practice weekly. A day to not do? Seems suspect to me and my … Continue reading Embracing Rest: Sabbath as Transformation
This morning, I settled into my chair much later than usual. It being Saturday, the one day I permit myself to wake naturally, my body took its liberty. As I came to, I was gripped by an inexplicable wanting, a sense of something missing. Often, my knee-jerk reaction to such longing is to acquire something … Continue reading The Space Within: Considering Our Deep Longings
Infinitely Precious 