I am participating in a quarterly series of retreats with other clergy in our area. We go for 24 hours, from lunch one day to lunch the next. Today is the day, and I wish that I was looking forward to it. Well -- I'm looking forward to it in one way, but I'm feeling anxious and resentful in another. There is work to be done, and being at the retreat center is not the place for working. Of course I could take the work with me, but in order to really retreat I need to leave the work behind. Retreat means taking myself to another place so that I might concentrate on my relationship with God. I want to be excited... I have a special date with God! But as I anticipate my work week, it's seems wrong to take time out.
But if I was someone else, I would be telling someone else that this is time for recharging, time for rest that will allow me to get more done, not less. I believe this in my heart. Just can't convince my head.
On another note: swapping pulpits was fun! Although it was a very early morning, I had great company. We were treated well and I enjoyed a different crowd. The ones who seemed to appreciate it the most were the young people, and that made me very happy!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Faith, Hope, Love
I really like the connections that are created in the blogosphere. I'm part of a community of faith where most of the folks aren't all that into this stuff, and originally I started this blog with the idea those that were would check it out. To date that hasn't happened.
But I will blog here nonetheless. I'm so full of hope for the future after the inauguration. How about you? Will the naysayers and fearmongers be able to overcome, or will hope and optimism win out? My children have asked me during bleak times "Are we gonna be ok, Mom?" Sometimes this is a personal question, encompassing only their small corner of the world; other times it is a concern for the entire planet, for all creation. It's the latter that gives me hope, because if they are concerned about something outside themselves, as are others, there is a reason to believe that faith can win over fear.
In the response to the closing of American detention centers in Guantanamo and the secret centers elsewhere, fear tells us that we might be opening Pandora's box as we relocate and release these detainees. Fear tells us that we can breach our values of justice for all for the sake of our security. Yet without the upholding of justice there is no security, because we will eventually turn into the very people we are afraid of. Total security can only be had at the expense of liberty. I pray that we are never so afraid that we succumb to the illusion that we can have both.
But I will blog here nonetheless. I'm so full of hope for the future after the inauguration. How about you? Will the naysayers and fearmongers be able to overcome, or will hope and optimism win out? My children have asked me during bleak times "Are we gonna be ok, Mom?" Sometimes this is a personal question, encompassing only their small corner of the world; other times it is a concern for the entire planet, for all creation. It's the latter that gives me hope, because if they are concerned about something outside themselves, as are others, there is a reason to believe that faith can win over fear.
In the response to the closing of American detention centers in Guantanamo and the secret centers elsewhere, fear tells us that we might be opening Pandora's box as we relocate and release these detainees. Fear tells us that we can breach our values of justice for all for the sake of our security. Yet without the upholding of justice there is no security, because we will eventually turn into the very people we are afraid of. Total security can only be had at the expense of liberty. I pray that we are never so afraid that we succumb to the illusion that we can have both.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration reflections
Wow! What a day! I stayed home and from my living room prayed and cried and laughed! President Barack Obama. I like the way that sounds. Hope is rekindled and challenges abound.
My prayer is for unity, that those who are skeptical can find reasons to be hopeful of great, positive changes. Some folks are genuinely scared. (Now they know how I felt 8 years ago.) I pray that this new President and his cabinet will prove to be worthy of the trust that we are putting in their hands for the future. I pray that everyone will find some positive way to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. I pray that we will all "brave those icy currents" to make our way to the beach where all are free and all are fed, where no one is at war and everyone is at peace.
Glory to God!
My prayer is for unity, that those who are skeptical can find reasons to be hopeful of great, positive changes. Some folks are genuinely scared. (Now they know how I felt 8 years ago.) I pray that this new President and his cabinet will prove to be worthy of the trust that we are putting in their hands for the future. I pray that everyone will find some positive way to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. I pray that we will all "brave those icy currents" to make our way to the beach where all are free and all are fed, where no one is at war and everyone is at peace.
Glory to God!
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