Quieting

This has been an interesting couple of days.

I feel like I'm quieting myself tonight. My roommate is out with a friend, and I'm enjoying the empty house. I cooked myself a great dinner and have leftovers for lunch tomorrow and probably one more meal after that. Roasted baby potatoes, baked italian seasoned chicken, and asparagus spears.

There have been lots of things that have come up with my youth girls this week, and I feel like they're weighing a bit heavily on my mind and heart right now. Lots of big issues, plus all the smaller everyday ones that come with being a teenager.

I think I'll take time later to lay in a hot bath and just breathe.

Then time to curl up in my chair, with candles and incense. Time to pray and lift those girls in front of the father. Time to remind myself about what I talked about with the girls in Sunday school this morning - living with open hands in front of Jesus. Time to prepare my heart for a week that I think may be a bit intense, and to begin to look forward to a gathering of praying people that I'm privileged to be a part of next weekend. Time to slow down. I feel like I need that tonight.

I'm quieting my soul right now. Slowing down before I have to speed back up. I'm feeling reflective, maybe a bit melancholy, but peaceful.

I guess I should write...

I feel like I should write something. It's been a couple days since any of my own words were up here. I don't think I actually have anything to say.

Today was one of those days where every time you pause to reflect on the way the day is going, all you can think is, "I'm so glad it's Friday."

I wore jeans - that made for a better day.

I had my weekly Subway date with a coworker - that made for a better day.

My mom cooked dinner for me - that made for a better day.

I bought a pair of walking shoes/hiking boots - I think that'll make for a better day.

Quote for the Day

I came across the following quote (prayer) this morning, and liked it enough to pass it on.

“O Lord, forgive what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be.”
— Thomas Wilson

More Great Thoughts from Henri Nouwen

I got a couple more great emails from the Henri Nouwen society in the past few days, and I'm sticking them here for your consumption.

Living in a State of Preparedness

Everything that comes from God asks for an open and faithful heart. We cannot live with hope and joy in the end-time unless we are living in a state of preparedness. We have to be careful because, as the Apostle Peter says: "Your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5.8). Therefore Jesus says: "Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life. ... Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). That's what living in the Spirit of Jesus calls us to.

Keeping Close to the Word of Jesus

The words of Jesus can keep us erect and confident in the midst of the turmoil of the end-time. They can support us, encourage us, and give us life even when everything around us speaks of death. Jesus' words are food for eternal life. They do much more than give us ideas and inspiration. They lead us into the eternal life while we are still being clothed in mortal flesh.

When we keep close to the word of Jesus, reflecting on it, "chewing" on it, eating it as food for the soul, we will enter even more deeply into the everlasting love of God.

Another Slightly Crazy Peruvian Headline

Scores Ill in Peru "Meteor Crash"