Thursday, November 5, 2009
30 Days of Seeing Heads to Maryland!
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I leave for the weekend to speak at a conference at CrossRoads Community Church in Havre De Grace, Maryland. When I return, I will catch you up on all the rich and wondrous sights along the way. In the mean time, keep your eyes open! I am grateful for your prayers. Warmly, Beth
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
30 Days of Seeing
Day 16
Sleeping Like a Baby
I am babysitting Eli, my seven-week-old grandson. He’s asleep in his crib, strategically placed in my office where I can write and keep my eye on him. So—is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?
He is lying on his back with his arms spread wide next to his head. His little chest rises and falls steadily and rhythmically. His body is limp, resting its full weight upon the mattress. He is the quintessence of the expression, “sleeping like a baby.”
I see him and am struck with the beauty of his tranquil body. I wonder when I ever feel that peaceful. As he drifts off to sleep, all the cares of his little world—a full tummy and clean diaper—float away. I wish that I could experience such a serenity.
My heart longs for the rest that Eli exhibits; to become childlike and trusting, to let go of all care, to consent to sleep as though entering a soft cocoon of bliss. What do I do to find this respite and peace? How can I cultivate a tranquility that mimics “sleeping like a baby”?
Psalm 131: 1- 2 in The Message suggests,
Sleeping Like a Baby
I am babysitting Eli, my seven-week-old grandson. He’s asleep in his crib, strategically placed in my office where I can write and keep my eye on him. So—is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?
He is lying on his back with his arms spread wide next to his head. His little chest rises and falls steadily and rhythmically. His body is limp, resting its full weight upon the mattress. He is the quintessence of the expression, “sleeping like a baby.”
I see him and am struck with the beauty of his tranquil body. I wonder when I ever feel that peaceful. As he drifts off to sleep, all the cares of his little world—a full tummy and clean diaper—float away. I wish that I could experience such a serenity.
My heart longs for the rest that Eli exhibits; to become childlike and trusting, to let go of all care, to consent to sleep as though entering a soft cocoon of bliss. What do I do to find this respite and peace? How can I cultivate a tranquility that mimics “sleeping like a baby”?
Psalm 131: 1- 2 in The Message suggests,
God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.
I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
my soul is a baby content.
Here are some questions for spiritual direction regarding what keeps you from truly resting:
- What weight am I taking on that is beyond my control?
- What does it mean for me to stay grounded (keep my feet on the ground)?
- What helps me quiet my heart?
- What practices might I try before I fall asleep that will help me “sleep like a baby?”
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
30 Days of Seeing
Day 15
Today, Bongo (my favorite dog in the whole world), went with me to run errands. I stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up a few things. When I returned, there he was in his usual spot. He had crawled up on the ledge behind the back seat with his face pressed toward the glass, awaiting my return.
As I walked toward the car, I saw him in the window and he saw me. Instantly, I felt our bond of affection. There were other people walking through the parking lot, but Bongo’s attention was fixed on me and mine on him.
This is the most vivid image I saw today in my 30 Days of Seeing--Bongo watching for me. It’s a marvelous thing to have a dog who looks for my return. His devotion and delight exhibit the profound relationship we have with one another. I feel joy when I see him.
Who or what in your life brings you joy the moment you see them?
Today, Bongo (my favorite dog in the whole world), went with me to run errands. I stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up a few things. When I returned, there he was in his usual spot. He had crawled up on the ledge behind the back seat with his face pressed toward the glass, awaiting my return.
As I walked toward the car, I saw him in the window and he saw me. Instantly, I felt our bond of affection. There were other people walking through the parking lot, but Bongo’s attention was fixed on me and mine on him.
This is the most vivid image I saw today in my 30 Days of Seeing--Bongo watching for me. It’s a marvelous thing to have a dog who looks for my return. His devotion and delight exhibit the profound relationship we have with one another. I feel joy when I see him.
Who or what in your life brings you joy the moment you see them?
Monday, November 2, 2009
30 Days of Seeing
Day 14
I was sitting at the kitchen table late in the afternoon as the daylight edged into twilight. The lighting of the day appeared as if it were a giant, suspended lamp illuminating everything underneath. It shed a luminous shadow over my backyard—all the trees, bushes and plants sparkled. At that moment, the light was perfect; magical and enthralling.
Do you have a favorite time of day? A time when the light is just right? Light really contributes to ambiance. It sets a mood, it creates an atmosphere. I have always loved the light of candles—love to turn off the lights and just have candles lit or a fire in the fireplace. The effect is so warm and romantic.
Today, as you go about your life, pay attention to the daylight. Ask yourself, “What is my favorite time of the day?” Once you identify it, make sure you stop and notice the way the light feels. As you do, let it remind you of being washed in the light of God. Sit and soak it all in.
I was sitting at the kitchen table late in the afternoon as the daylight edged into twilight. The lighting of the day appeared as if it were a giant, suspended lamp illuminating everything underneath. It shed a luminous shadow over my backyard—all the trees, bushes and plants sparkled. At that moment, the light was perfect; magical and enthralling.
Do you have a favorite time of day? A time when the light is just right? Light really contributes to ambiance. It sets a mood, it creates an atmosphere. I have always loved the light of candles—love to turn off the lights and just have candles lit or a fire in the fireplace. The effect is so warm and romantic.
Today, as you go about your life, pay attention to the daylight. Ask yourself, “What is my favorite time of the day?” Once you identify it, make sure you stop and notice the way the light feels. As you do, let it remind you of being washed in the light of God. Sit and soak it all in.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
30 Days of Seeing
Day 13
Reflection
The word reflection can be used both literally and figuratively. I can see a reflection; I can be a reflection; and I can use reflection to think through something. Well, tonight, I saw a reflection in the most literal and magnificent sense of the word!
Right around dusk, David and I took a walk in a nature area near our home. As we turned on the path that led beside a lake, he immediately noticed the glass-like surface of the water reflecting the trees and moon. We continued and saw the above scene, with the rouge of sunset powdering the sky and reflecting through the clouds and trees onto the water. It was as though we saw double—one dazzling image a mirror reflection of the other.
What causes a reflection? I had a vague idea but decided to find out for sure. I discovered that the phenomenon we witnessed is called the law of reflection. Light rays from the sun angled down through the clouds and trees (the angle of incidence) and reflected off the lake at the same angle (the angle of reflection) producing a mirror image of the objects being reflected.
The trees did not reflect themselves. The light rays of the sun off the surface of the lake reflected them. So, I asked myself, "How is God speaking to me through this?" What strikes a chord for me is the realization that I can’t be a reflection of Jesus on my own. I need his light, shining through my life (the angle of incidence) to be reflected off me (angle of reflection). This insight gives II Corinthians 3:18 more meaning:
“We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Here is a question for spiritual direction: How can I expose myself (position myself) to the light of Christ so that I reflect him?
Reflection
The word reflection can be used both literally and figuratively. I can see a reflection; I can be a reflection; and I can use reflection to think through something. Well, tonight, I saw a reflection in the most literal and magnificent sense of the word!
Right around dusk, David and I took a walk in a nature area near our home. As we turned on the path that led beside a lake, he immediately noticed the glass-like surface of the water reflecting the trees and moon. We continued and saw the above scene, with the rouge of sunset powdering the sky and reflecting through the clouds and trees onto the water. It was as though we saw double—one dazzling image a mirror reflection of the other.
What causes a reflection? I had a vague idea but decided to find out for sure. I discovered that the phenomenon we witnessed is called the law of reflection. Light rays from the sun angled down through the clouds and trees (the angle of incidence) and reflected off the lake at the same angle (the angle of reflection) producing a mirror image of the objects being reflected.
The trees did not reflect themselves. The light rays of the sun off the surface of the lake reflected them. So, I asked myself, "How is God speaking to me through this?" What strikes a chord for me is the realization that I can’t be a reflection of Jesus on my own. I need his light, shining through my life (the angle of incidence) to be reflected off me (angle of reflection). This insight gives II Corinthians 3:18 more meaning:
“We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Here is a question for spiritual direction: How can I expose myself (position myself) to the light of Christ so that I reflect him?
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