Gospel Girl

    I stood at the podium. I had practiced and I was ready. One of my dearest friends asked me to read the Gospel at a service celebrating her 18 years in ministry. Growing up Catholic, priests and deacons read the Gospel. I never witnessed a woman reading the Gospel as a girl. As an adult, I saw a nun read the gospel and distribute the already consecrated host at a tiny country church.  But that's it.

He leads me beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2)

     I understand the cultural and historical ideas on priesthood. I get it. The Bible shows us a patriarchal culture and Jesus was a man. But I ask you this: Does a soul have gender? I don't think it does. I think organized religions have power and I think human beings like power.

     When I spoke the words of Christ from the podium, I felt reverent. I felt honored. I felt awed.  I don't believe the God of the Universe sees gender or any other earthly characteristics. I believe he sees past our hearts and into the very corners of our souls. My God is not offended when I read His words. I feel His presence and it feels right in my soul. How can I be silent when I know all the amazing things he has done? Your spirit links you to God. It is the divine spark in you. Rendering Him honor is a privilege that belongs to all His children. Worship according to your own heart.

The Value of Salt

     The barrage of snow storms back East has prompted a run on salt, specifically rock salt. Home chefs know that you can use rock salt to make delicious homemade ice cream. The East Coast has not been concerned with frozen treats this winter. Governments are concerned with deicing roadways while citizens are worried about steps and sidewalks.

     The abundance or scarcity of salt has been a driving force in history. According to the Morton Salt Company,(http://www.mortonsalt.com/salt-facts/salt-history) Roman soldiers were paid salt money or salarium regentum; this is where we get the English word salary. Salt can take many forms iodized, black, shades of grey, pink, sea, flake, smoked, seasoned and kosher to name just a few.

There are many kinds of salt.

     Depending on which version of the Bible you read, salt is mentioned 30-40 times. Matthew 5:13-16 reads "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men."  There are as many people and gifts as there are types of salt. So how do we maintain our flavor?
      I think we do this by honoring the gifts we're given. There are different gifts but the same spirit. So if we believe in God, living our belief means using our gifts in his service. It's not always easy to discern our gifts, but I believe they exist and are waiting to be unwrapped. Some gifts are used on the world stage while some are used in quiet service. Both have equal value.
     There have been times when I have felt I wasn't "worth my salt". Maybe we all have those moments. Take a moment to look at your life through God's values not the world's. God's greatest values aren't material related. They are all about love. When you start with love, remember that he made you in his image. Love extends to you too.

Like Stained Glass

     "So what is your favorite element in painting?" the instructor asked. "Color " I responded without hesitation. "Mine is light, he stated, "without light your picture doesn't have values or color." This was an "Aha" moment for me artistically and spiritually.

We are part of something bigger.

     When you paint, you have to consider the palette you are working with, the type of paint, the perspective and the light.  Where will the light come from in your painting? How will this be reflected in the various shades of color? Color is given its very breath by light. Merriam Websters online defines color as "a phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects."

Paint is no good without light.

     I have always been fascinated by color and its impact on environment and people. The colors that people favor in their dress and surroundings can indicate personality traits or even a state of mind. For instance, I find pale blues, greens and purples soothing in the hospital setting. Red and yellow are said to animate. These colors are often found in fast food establishments. But behind this wash of color is the prism we see through: Light.
     From the very beginning, God is associated with light. Genesis 1:3 reads "God said, let there be light and there was light." In Isaiah we are exhorted to "walk in the light of the Lord." The New Testament (1 Jn 1:5) states, "God is light; in him there is no darkness." So if light brings color and depth to painting, how much more depth and vibrancy can God bring to our lives? If we believe in a Creator God, the Alpha and Omega, the faithful God of Israel, the impact on our lives can transform us.
      If we believe that God's plan is perfect for our growth, then it is not God's plan that needs revising. It is our response. If we align ourselves with his purpose for our lives, his light will shine in and through us. We will be the best version of ourselves; this gives him glory. Genesis tells us that God created man in his own image. God is like an infinite stained glass window. We are pieces of this beautiful window and we share his beauty, thanks to his divine light.

It's in the Cards

     The envelope was heavy. I opened it and slid the card out. It was a whimsical Easter card. Yellow, lavender and pink eggs were being painted by Easter bunnies.  It was bright, cheery and studded with a dollars worth of dimes! When I was a little girl I loved getting mail. Is still do.  My Aunt Mary lived in New York, but she sent holiday cards to Georgia throughout my childhood.

This is just like the cards I remember! The dimes would go in slots in the little hearts.

     While e-mails and texts are nice, cards are better. When you receive a card, you know someone picked it out for you. They took the time to choose a design and sentiment that reminded them of you in particular. Cards are tangible symbols of thoughtfulness and regard. It's a lovely thing to put a card on your desk, dresser or even a window ledge. When I receive cards, I line them up along the window in my kitchen. When I cook, wash dishes or simply drink coffee, I am reminded of faraway friends and loved ones.
     Aunt Mary passed away last month. She was a holiday kind of gal. She loved parties, decorations, people and cards. I just sent Valentines to my nieces and nephews and it made me think of my aunt. I was planning to send her Valentines chocolates in a beautiful box; she was a person that appreciated packaging and presentation.  Instead, I will focus on giving to others this year in the hope that I can be just a little like her.

Go ahead, get busy!

     My Aunt taught me that a card is much more than a piece of paper. It can be a  heart link to people near and far. Some old fashioned practices have timeless merit. Take the time to write a note or choose the perfect card. You have the power to delight and surprise right at your fingertips.

Winter Driving

     AP Physics lab is at 6:45 AM. Yes, you read that correctly. It is early. It is dark. It is unholy. We have two vehicles, so even though my teen has a license, we take turns ferrying him. The other day, it was my turn.

Even St Francis needs a parka!

     In the snowy darkness, we joked about the visibility, the temperature and the early hour. As we made our way down the "hill of death" aka, the big hill, my son commented, "What fresh hell is this?" For reasons unknown to me, this made me laugh, a lot.
     I dropped him at school and began driving back home. Yep, still dark with poor visibility. The highway was icy; I hate that. So I drove slower for conditions and I started thinking that the drive was a lot like my life.
     I have had dark periods over the last two years. There have been times when I thought I would careen into a ditch spiritually and emotionally. What made the difference? God. He has provided me people and experiences to remind me that he is with me. The darkest moments were when I relied on my judgement without consulting his will. The brightest moments were when I put aside my own ego and simply said, "Help!"
      Matthew 5:7 reminds me "Ask and it will be given to you; knock and the door will be opened to you." Why would Jesus say this if he didn't mean it?  He wouldn't; He meant it. I had an interesting conversation with my son about this very passage.  He said, "Well, what's the point of prayer? If  everyone asks for a million dollars, everyone will not get it."  He makes a valid point, but it doesn't cancel out the possibility of God's answer. Rather his point speaks to our values and finite view.
     The Lord offers guidelines for prayer. In the old testament they include: The prayer of the upright pleases him (Proverbs 15:8) and humble yourself and pray (2 Chronicles 7:14). In the new testament, Jesus answers the question directly in Matthew  Chapter 6. He begins by cautioning his followers not to "keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." He then outlines the Lord's Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us out debts ,
as we have forgiven our debtor.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

      Prayer cannot be compared to a spoiled child receiving his every whim. Far from it. We must acknowledge who we are speaking with and pray for our highest good (His will). We can ask for what we need, BUT we must be willing to forgive those who offend us. There is work involved in prayer!
     Good job the God of the Universe loves me regardless. I know I have withered his infinite ears with some serious "babbling like a pagan." But here's the good news: He does know me. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13). God is a God of second chances and He is patient. His parenting skills are unparalleled; He lets us stumble and fall for our own good. We just need to learn from our mistakes.
     He has been my co-pilot all along.  I needed to stop going so fast, look over the manual and trust the teacher. I'm working on it.

Fishing in The Dark

     I have been reading the book "Luke for Everyone" by N.T. Wright. Luke 5:1-11 captivated me. Bishop Wright's comments are thought provoking. He writes about Peter's realization of Jesus' holiness and how the apostles follow Jesus to become "fishers of men." Mr Wright notes that "when Jesus calls, he certainly does demand everything, but only because he has already given everything himself and has plans in store for us and the world that we would never have dreamed of." I love the imagery of this story and when I read it the second time, I realized something startling.

Fishing in the light of day.

     Jesus stood on the shore in broad daylight and told the men, "Put into the deeper part and let down your nets for a catch." Though hesitant due to a futile night of fishing, the fishermen did as Jesus asked. When they retrieved the nets, they were stretched to the breaking point. In fact, their companions came to help and "filled both boats, and they began to sink." (Luke 5:7) N. T. Wright talks of fishing in this area and he confirms that the best fishing is often at night. But not with Jesus, and this is what takes my breath away.
     When Jesus stood on the shore, the best fishing was by the light of day. "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." (John 1:4) 1 John 5-6 explains "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to walk with him, yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." The Miraculous Catch of Fish is powerful as metaphor and literal example. If I follow Christ, I will walk in the light. His radiance is part and parcel of the Holy Trinity, one in substance and undivided.
      Light vanquishes darkness. If I could remember this, I would waste less time on worry and spend more time being productive and grateful. Edith Wharton wrote: "There are two ways of spreading light: To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." On good days, grace allows me to be the candle. Other days, being a mirror is all I can muster. When you're a mirror, it's important to choose what you're reflecting. Am I reflecting an image that I believe others want? Or am I taking my Christianity seriously and living the way Jesus did?