Reasons to Smile

It's been a hard week, but today has provided some reasons to smile, and for those I'm grateful. Mostly little things, things that would perhaps mean nothing to anyone but me, but I'm clinging to them in these moments, and I thought I'd share them with you.

• a conversation that began yesterday, and continued past midnight into today. a dear friend listening and waiting and praying as I moved from a very dark space into a safer and more restful one.
• wearing a new tank top, purchased, of all places, at the grocery store last night for only $5.
• fun earrings, purchased last week at the Tibetan shop in Eau Claire Market, while shopping with a dear friend.
• an hour sitting on my back deck, in the sun, writing this morning
• a massage this morning, and somewhat relaxed back and neck muscles because of that
• a phone call from my best friend, inviting herself over to spend the evening with me
• the sense of accomplishment in hanging a new photo on the wall in my bedroom (purchased from the farmer's market) and a blind for my window, by myself
• shelves (shortened this morning by my dad) in the nook in my kitchen
• showering the sunscreen and massage oil off my skin after a full day
• the scent of my favorite perfume, lightly sprayed onto my neck and wrists, lingering in the air around me
  
• purchasing an oil burner, and a number of beautifully scented oils to put in my bedroom
• great deals at the local christian bookstore, which closes in just under a month
• six new books, 1 cd and 1 dvd as a result of those deals
• feeling pretty
• knowing that I finished writing some thoughts that have desperately needed to be given expression
• chocolate, oranges, and almonds
• the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that I have made a tiny victory today by successfully doing something small that has long been a thing fraught with fear in my life
• getting a particular photograph of myself - one that reminds me of some deep and important things - printed so that I can place it someplace I'll see it often
  

It's been a good day thus far, and there's still more to come. I've needed a day like this. Quiet, full, sweet. Moments of rest and enjoying being alone. And moments with those I love. I'm praying that tomorrow is much the same, and that each of you are also gifted with days like these, full of things that bring a smile to your lips and a word of praise to your heart.

A Prayer

I'm not entirely sure that I'm okay with the fact that a reporter pulled the written prayer of Barack Obama from the spot where he left it at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, but there is a simple beauty in the in prayer that I appreciate deeply.

You can see it here.

Reasons to Read Blogs

I read blogs to see what other people are thinking about, feeling, hearing, listening to, reading and doing. I'm invariably challenged by the things I read, and often hear the Lord whispering to various parts of my heart in the midst of reading those things...

Here are some bits and pieces that caught my attention this morning...

Ali Edwards linked to this book preview. "How to be an Explorer of the World." I liked paging through the preview and will probably order the book when it releases.

Brian Heasley shared these challenging words from Rick Warren.

And Hope posed the question that has rattled around my soul this morning. "Could you just get as weary of me as I am?" A question that reminded me of many recent moments, and a tribute to her spiritual director that reminded me of a dear friend of mine, one to whom I could easily have posed this question many times in this season.

These are only some of the things bouncing around a very full and active mind this morning, and I'm beginning to hope that words may once again take form, and I'll have new writing to offer you sometime soon.

In the meantime, enjoy the thoughts and ideas offered up by the community of blogs scattered around the world that I read on a daily basis.

Another Thought from Henri

I needed to hear this thought from Henri Nouwen this morning...

Digging Into Our Spiritual Resources

When someone hurts us, offends us, ignores us, or rejects us, a deep inner protest emerges. It can be rage or depression, desire to take revenge or an impulse to harm ourselves. We can feel a deep urge to wound those who have wounded us or to withdraw in a suicidal mood of self-rejection. Although these extreme reactions might seem exceptional, they are never far away from our hearts. During the long nights we often find ourselves brooding about words and actions we might have used in response to what others have said or done to us.

It is precisely here that we have to dig deep into our spiritual resources and find the center within us, the center that lies beyond our need to hurt others or ourselves, where we are free to forgive and love.

Things Not to Say Out Loud When You Work for Mennonites

I passed a few uncomfortable moments at coffee break this morning. The topic of Catholicism and mass came up, and we talked a bit about some of the traditions. I love the beauty of liturgy and mass, and without thinking about what I was saying before I said it, made the first comment that came to mind. I said that I felt it was quite likely that I would one day convert to Catholicism.

The looks on the faces of the three co-workers with whom I was chatting were rather priceless. Shock, followed quickly by horror and disgust.

I forget that others see the Catholic church differently than I do.

Another coworker who had been listening as the four of us talked stopped by my desk on his way out for lunch. “Big ‘C’ Catholic or small ‘c’ catholic?” he asked before going on to inform me that if we throw out anything that’s been added to church tradition by papal edict since 1060 AD we’d be okay, because then we’d essentially have the “new testament church.”

Sigh.

Another lesson in things not to say out loud when you work for a tiny Mennonite insurance company.