September Rain and Winds

It rained today. It has been a steady fall almost all day long. We haven't had rain in a while and the ground has opened up to take in each life-giving droplet. The wind (yes, that famous Oklahoma wind) is blowing rain puddles from one side of the street to the other.

I have never experienced wind before like I have here in OKC. It started me thinking about the Holy Spirit. The breath of God, the covering of the earth and life springing forward as seeds and rain are carried from place to place.

What is my life-giving droplet? Of course we need the water, but it is so much more than that. It is the Eucharist that truly fills me with life.

Holy Spirit winds and Eucharist rain. What a great afternoon!

Mary and Martha

The sermon hit me again on Sunday. Mary and Martha. Busyness and sitting. Hospitality - perceived needs and true needs. As a person growing up on the tail end of the Baby Boomers, hospitality always included food. It always meant the house being neat and tidy. It meant offering above and beyond what was in the house. So I get that Abraham and Martha did all those things they thought were necessary to make a guest "feel at home." But Mary, somehow she knew where her place was to be - not scurrying, not hurrying, not giving orders - just sitting and listening. Hearing of Jesus's travels, people he met, things he did, teachings he gave.

Then I recall a retreat I attended with Mary and Martha as our theme. I'm a Martha (Type A personality) right down the line. It bothered me that I thought Martha was doing all the right things, those things expected of her and I was left to think about that during the night. I dreamed and when I awoke, the answer was there. As clear as day, I heard "but I could have had a grilled cheese sandwich." Something simple. Something that wouldn't take too much time. Something that would have allowed you to come and be with me.

Jesus was not coming to their house to check for dust bunnies or see if all the laundry was done. He was coming to spend time with them. To re-new himself, to visit. And just maybe, have a grilled cheese sandwich!

Spring/Summer

So, what's the best thing to do here in OKC? As a newbie, I've been doing some traveling, and one of my favorite spots is becoming St. Crispins. It's about 9 miles off the main highway, tucked neatly in the woods. The scenery is gorgeous and the kids, well, they LOVE being there. I didn't go to a religious camp but one year and after that, it was Girl Scout camp. So I know about camping. But this place is different. It is a holy calling that has kids coming back year after year. They can't wait to be CIT's, then counselors and then volunteers. I've even heard of those who meet their spouses at camp and even weddings out there. Their friendships can last forever. What is it that draws them back?

What is it in your life that draws you back? Is it a special person, place or thing? Maybe its the aroma of fresh baked cookies? The sound of a waterfall?

I'm fortunate, I'll be back at camp this weekend. I'll get my camp fill to hold me to the next weekend. Maybe it's time for you to remember what draws you back and go there!

Star Trek The Next Generation and Parousia

I caught an episode of Star Trek TNG last night about three people who had been "frozen" for 300 years and the Enterprise thawed them. Of course, the Enterprise was having some bigger issue with Romulans that these three could not possibly understand; but for me, it was interesting to have the character study of these three.

The loudest was a man who wanted to get back to earth to his bank because he knew he would now be a millionaire. Too bad, Captain Picard told him, because there was no need for banks - everybody had everything they needed. Then, he wanted to get to his attorney, because he knew that was the largest law firm in whatever city. Of course, Captain P just gave him a slight grin.

The second character was a woman and she wondered about her children and what became of them. Through the marvel of the computer, Counselor Troi ran a "Ancestory.com" program and traced her children and their families. This made her very happy.

The third guy was just happy to be there. He had been a country singer (I think) in his other time, and thought he'd be just as successful this time around.

No need for banks, everyone having everything they need, no disease, no hunger, no work - you do what you enjoy. You enrich yourself. The poor guy couldn't even phantom this. He was told he was to enjoy life, to study, to dance, to play.

Captain Picard's world is kind of the way I hope to find Parousia! And I plan to be just happy to be there!

Palm Sunday - I can only imagine the events surrounding the Palm Sunday procession. Jesus, the one they thought was going to change the world - he had done so many other things - healing, raising people from the dead - this man was now making his way into Jerusalem. The time had come. They were cheering the warrior on to battle. He would go in there and clean house. No more political government, no more oppression. Change was coming, and they were all there to see it happen, to see him do it.

But once inside, there were no battles or overthrowing of government. Jesus continued to be with his disciples. They celebrated the Passover. People were waiting, anticipating, hoping. Wasn't he supposed to be their new king

Holy Week is the time of waiting just like the crowd and wondering what is Jesus going to do?

Have You Seen God today?

A very spiritual friend of mine asked me this question. I had to stop and think. I realized that is not a good sign. But yes, I had seen God. I saw God's handiwork in two flocks of geese criss-crossing and molding into one large flock. I heard God's voice in the laughter and squeal of the children playing in the sunshine. I saw God's eyes in the lady talking about an illness in her family that is weighing on her heart.

I am sure I miss God every day. But once reminded, I begin to look again. To realize all the places God appears - even when I'm not looking.

So, where have you seen God today?

Holy Lent

How do you know if you are experiencing a holy Lent? I know what the Book of Common Prayer calls us to do - self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, reading and meditating on God's word. It seems like such hard work and we are all so busy.

But then, I read a paragraph back and where it recalls the real theology behind this time. Where "the first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection" and those "because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the followship of the church."

Great devotion... being reconciled to the fellowship of the church...It may have been hard work back then too but the end result of being reconciled, of being invited back into fellowship was worth it to the early Christians. And I think it is worth it for me too!