Friday Reflections, August 3, 2012

Today's reflection is once again from Henri Nouwen...


Bridging the Gap Between People

To become neighbours is to bridge the gap between people.  As long as there is distance between us and we cannot look in each other's eyes, all sorts of false ideas and images arise.  We give them names, make jokes about them, cover them with our prejudices, and avoid direct contact.  We think of them as enemies.  We forget that they love as we love, care for their children as we care for ours, become sick and die as we do.  We forget that they are our brothers and sisters and treat them as objects that can be destroyed at will.

Only when we have the courage to cross the street and look in one another's eyes can we see there that we are children of the same God and members of the same human family.

Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 346

Today's Daily 5:

1. bus commute audiobook listening
2. a quiet afternoon
3. a hot bath
4. some insights to ponder
5. hanging out and helping a friend move for house church tonight

Anticipating Still (One Word 365 Update)

Anticipating.

I know, I know - I write about anticipation every Tuesday.

But here's the thing - it's the theme of my week this week as I begin to taste the forthcoming promise of a month or so of rest.

My one word for 2012 was Still, and to be honest, sometimes I wonder where it is that that word emerged from - what God was thinking when that word was whispered into my heart.

I kicked off 2012 by beginning nursing school, and my life has not exactly been defined by stillness.

On the other hand, I've learned to really value the little moments of stillness, to sink into them, to appreciate and rest in them.

I was thinking about that as I took the bus yesterday morning - about how I sink into those moments when I can steal them.

I look forward to my Wednesday morning bus commute.  It's the time in which I settle in to listen to Christianne's "A Cup of Sunday Quiet".  I start my day with a scripture reading, then plug in my headphones, close my eyes, and steal a few minutes of quiet with Jesus.

I look forward to the few evenings when nothing is scheduled and there isn't any pressing homework.  When I can enjoy a little bit of cleaning or reading or cooking, or simply crawl onto my bed and lose myself in a television show or movie.

And this week? This week I have the taste of forthcoming rest in my mouth.  I'm writing the last paper of the semester, wrapping up clinical notes, preparing in a lazy fashion for finals next week.  I'm organizing travel insurance for my trip to Florida, and staring at a calendar that is getting emptier by the day.

I'm so looking forward to a month or so where stillness is something that doesn't have to be stolen, but that can be the norm.

Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 345

Today's Daily 5:

1. chatting with a bus buddy
2. favorite seat on the bus
3. facebook comments that made me giggle a lot
4. drunken chicken
5. the indescribable thrill of cooking in my own space for the first time in several years, and sitting down to a really great plate of food

Whimsical Wednesday, August 1, 2012

This week's Whimsical Wednesday has a decidedly bookish theme as I anticipate the end of the semester, and a month of time to spend catching up on reading for enjoyment and personal fulfilment.

As always, I'd love to hear if any of these images catch your attention.  Or, in this case, if you have a great suggestion for summer break read!

Source: spacesays.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: whispering-literature.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: nerdquirks.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: chicagopubliclibrary.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: heromind.com via Lisa on Pinterest