Struggle AND Gentleness

As we look at these two sections of A Clearing Season they make an interesting combination for our reflection. First, Struggle. Sarah Parsons writes of befriending one's fear, by welcoming points of struggle. It is a challenge for me to befriend my fears. I have a plethora of them, all the way from thunderstorms, to forced separation from those I love. I know that when I can listen to Jesus' words, "Do not be afraid" and take to heart that my faith will undergird me through the struggles, only then will I be more gentle on myself. Gentleness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We often focus on being gentle toward others, and that is important, indeed! However, it is equally important to be gentle with ourselves. Sarah writes "Gentleness takes into account our effort and stress; treating ourselves gently is a way of offering encouragement and appreciation..." and I would add here: for the living of each day. I know without a doubt that when I am gentle with myself, I have greater capacity to be gentle with others. When we are stressed, tired, fearful, angry, impatient, and... (name others), it is crucial to take time for a "clearing space, "a clearing season." How do you express gentleness for yourself? How do you live this fruit of the Spirit?
-Joan

Listening

Though it says March 23rd, these comments are my reflections for Friday, March 24, 2006! I will be away from a computer when I would normally write my Friday thoughts.

How do we listen to our personal rhythms of life? As I noted in the comments on developing rhythms, I have felt through the years that I am not a morning person. Yet, I also know that, (along with my walking in the morning) I often find my greatest peace in times of meditation at that time of day. By evening, I have so many thoughts running through my mind that it is very hard to stop them, settle down, and be present to the Holy. Sarah's question, "What patterns yield a sense of simultaneous energy and peace?" begs me to reconsider my natural life-rhythms. She says that by finding our natural patterns, we engage our deepest selves in our practice. " Perhaps my daily routines actually are congruent with my personal life-rhythms. Maybe I am doing better at it than I thought I was. What patterns yield a sense of simultaneous energy and peace in your life? Share your ideas with others via the blog!
-Joan

Developing Rhythmns:law versus grace

I could relate so directly to the "law versus grace" theme for today when Sarah wrote about the woman establishing a routine of walking each morning. I was fine taking a short walk in the evening. Then Jerry began walking in the morning. I am not a morning person! " You walk, I'll sleep." Eventually I tried getting up in the morning too. And, to make a very long story short, I now thrive on my 30 minute morning walks, whether I walk alone, or with Jerry. These are real grace moments, for thinking, praying, feeling the cold or the warmth on my face, and giving thanks for being alive. It has been more than two years with these walks now. The walk actually puts order into the chaos that the day will inevitably bring. It has staying power. Then, when my schedule permits me to go to my favorite reading chair for some study and meditation, grace is all around. What are your grace-full moments this week?
- Joan

Importance of rhythms and laws in clearing space

Have you ever taken a full day of sabbath rest? Right now, it sure sounds good! It seems to me the only times in my life that I have really done this, have been the times I am so sick that I can't do anything - even if I wanted to. Which leads me to believe that if I chose sabbath rest on a regular basis, I wouldn't get to the point of having it forced on me by illness. So much easier said than done. I think it's okay to squeeze in sabbath hours if we can't realistically get a full day of sabbath. A nap, an evening of board games with family or friends, curling up with a good book and listening to jazz - these are all sabbath moments. May you find moments to rest in God today!
- Melanie

Chaos and emerging order

My plumbing is fixed and my dishes are finally done, so I guess that order is re-emerging in my home. I don't know anything, really, about chaos theory. Perhaps one of you could explain/describe it more fully for us. I think my desk at work directly flies in the face of Sarah's idea of order being naturally created out of chaos. The only consistent order for my desk is disorder! I've tried for two years to make order, and I can tell you that it hasn't come about naturally! I like order, I just have a hard time creating it. What do you all think about this? What is it like for you to create a rule of life?
- Melanie

Natural rhythms

I think we have a lot of natural rhythms in our lives that we aren't aware of until they are thrown into chaos. Take this weekend, for instance. Like most weekends, I planned to catch up on cleaning the dirty dishes in the sink, doing several loads of laundry, making up some food to bring for lunches for this week. And my main plumbing line in the basement got clogged. No amount of Drano and work with my plunger could budge it. There was standing water in all of my sinks. It was a huge mess. My normal weekend routine was totally out of wack! And I like my routines! There is comfort in their consistency. So now it is Monday afternoon, my sink is still full of dirty dishes, I have piles of dirty clothes, and I have been thanking God all morning for the two roto rooter guys who came over and fixed the big mess so I can try to get back to my normal routine!
I've created a routine for my prayer time, too. If it isn't part of a routine, I find that it easily slips away and in the busy-ness of life, I don't do it. When I come into work each morning, I keep my door closed for the first 15 minutes (sometimes more), and I pray and read the scriptures BEFORE I even turn my computer on or check my phone messages. Because once I go to the computer or the phone, my head is spinning with things to do and God gets squeezed out of thoughts as I make way for the to-do list.
I'm looking forward this week to trying the individual exercise around creating a sacred space within my home. I have a space in mind in my guest bedroom, but I have no idea which time of day will work best for doing it. I will hopefully have a better idea by the end of this week!
Where do you have space to be alone with God? How can you make this space part of your natural, daily rhythm?

-Melanie