beWARM

A catalogue by that name sporadically appears in our mailbox. Its glossy pages make each item look sumptuous and warm;  the cosmetic products offered within promise  anti-aging and rejuvenating properties.

There was a time when I would pore over such pages, from multiple companies, devouring the ensembles and imagining myself duly clothed.

Then, a few years ago, such preoccupation lost its luster.  I tired of the bulging barrage of  “must-haves”, and waged an all out war on the companies responsible for these intrusions.  I emailed – and even sent postcards –  requesting that I be taken off their mailing lists. I was honoring our environment while creating more room in my mental landscape.

This tactic worked – somewhat.  Until I placed an order here and there for a birthday or Christmas gift.  And what do you know…the parade of catalogues continues. (though not in such copious quantities)  Alas, there is nowhere to hide from mass marketing media.

My strategy of late is to tear off the back page containing personal information and deposit it in the shredder (oh, the world we live in). The  remainder finds  a home in the recycling bin, with nary a look at a single page. 

Such relief!  All those extra minutes I just added to the day!

This morning, I found myself reflecting on a different kind of soft surrounding – the one that we all yearn for – a warm, safe place of understanding and comfort. That spot we head for when our mental storm clouds start forming.

In some instances, we find solace in an exterior place or a physical activity that is calming to our minds. A quiet corner of a room, a tree-covered hiking trail, a long bike ride – all can clear out thoughts that “disturb the peace”.

This refuge could also be in the form of a person – a sacred companion, or spiritual friend. In his book Sacred Companions, David G. Benner decribes such a relationship: “the task of spiritual friends is to help us discern the presence, will and leading of the Spirit of God.”

Part of being WARM has been seeking out these fellow travelers.  Benner later says that “journeying together is the only way to effect the personal transformation that is the goal of the adventure.”

Though we can’t mail-order this precious kind of friend, we can rely on God’s Divine Delivery service.  I have had the gift of many such friends over the years, each unique in their own brand of expression, possessing thoughts and attitudes that have taught me much about living in the spirit of love.

For the past two years, I have been part of a small group of women that meets weekly.  We began our walk together by reading Benner’s book. Since then, we have had many a spiritual adventure, all the while encouraging each other as we navigate our respective life paths. Betty, Marta and Louise have been prayer warriors, confidants, and accountability monitors. Our dear Norma, our wise and gifted spiritual director, has gently guided each of us along the way.

To promote further spiritual growth, we have been meeting once a month with  Sister Susan Kusz at the Sangre de Cristo Center just outside Tesuque. She is leading us through a series of Spiritual Exercises, all aimed at deepening our relationship with God.

Our last meeting was very special.  At its conclusion, Susan presented each one of us with a prayer shawl for us to wear during our prayer times. The shawls were various colors and textures, unique to each of our preferences. Susan shared that with each stitch came a prayer specifically for the shawl’s recipient.

Every time I don my prayer shawl, I feel those prayers. The softness of the yarns (in beautiful beWARM colors, I might add) serves as a reminder of God’s warm embrace.  The interlocking stitches symbolize the solid threads of His support; the  lovely pattern, a representation of His unfolding design for our lives.

In what – or whom – do you find your soft surroundings?  We sorely need those places – or persons – where our hearts can find rest, where we are accepted and loved, no matter what.

Where are the opportunities for us to serve such a purpose?  They are before us, waiting to be uncovered….or perhaps already in place.  Being a sacred companion is a great privilege, indeed.

Above all, as we enjoy these sacred and spiritual treasures, we must remember that they are merely earthly representations of God…

…who is our constant and most loyal Companion.

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. ~Psalm 59:16
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Phillipians 4:7

When it comes to outdoor activities, running is not my strong suit. Traversing these Santa Fe hills  – and one can’t avoid them – is enough to make me feel like a real slug. At times my legs feel more like two dead planks than ambulation assistants.

However, to embrace this blue-sky sunshine day, Joey and I set out to log in a few miles.  Thankfully, he is accepting when I need to stop and walk a bit, always turning back to rejoin me.

This pattern has become an unspoken agreement between us. At long last, I have peace with it, for there was a time when I spent so much time bemoaning  my lack of running speed and strength that I failed to enjoy the movement itself.

A couple of years ago, God gave me a realization that has helped me gain a new perspective on these types of situations.  He showed me that I should be “content with” rather than feel “less than“.

A simple concept – with a myriad of applications, all of which bring a sense of appreciation…and also, freedom from being bound by expectation. (our own, as well as others)

This is not to say that we should never challenge ourselves. But just applying this attitude to running has helped me enjoy the process and the surroundings (as well as the company of my husband) without any self-measuring or criticism.  Ah…the freedom of taking a “granny stop” when I am sucking wind!

Today’s run had a musical component as well.  God often speaks to me through song – but  that’s another topic entirely. (more on that later)  Prior to heading outside, I was practicing songs to accompany a vocal music class at the New Mexico School for the Arts.

Working with the high school students is so enjoyable.  Performing for their peers – and receiving constructive criticism –  is a new experience for them, and one that is anxiety producing.  This takes me back to my days in music school; I empathize with them. Little by little, they are gaining confidence, and you can hear it in their music  – and they feel good.

But back to today’s music. As I played You’ll Never Walk Alone from the musical Carousel, my eyes welled up as I remembered loving this song so much when I was a child. It’s message is so hopeful, comforting.

When Jerry Lewis sang this every year at the end of his Muscular Dystrophy telethon, I sobbed.

This familiar melody resounded with fresh significance today. In my younger  years, God wasn’t in my mental picture of “never walking alone”.  I’m not sure exactly who I thought was in step alongside me – but I never connected those dots.

Running today, the melody and lyrics kept playing  in my head like a broken record.  No ipod necessary…the Muzak just kept rolling. And what inspiring thoughts – “walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams are tossed and blown….walk on, walk on,with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone”

God cares not if we run or walk. He’s not about clocking our mileage – He doesn’t measure us against anyone else. He loves us for who we are – just the way we are.

Let us be content with walking on in hope and faith, fully accepted and loved by God.  He will keep our pace – infinitely. And, if we get lost on the trail, He will come back to find us.

He will never let us walk through life alone.

Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes.   

      Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest

I’m trying to imagine myself as a lump of clay. Actually, the visual is quite pleasing – soft, almost velvety….and no wrinkles!

A true form, without previous intention. No cracks, crevices, places to hide.

A simple, perfectly curved, pliable ball, waiting to take shape.

Why these thoughts, on Thanksgiving,of all days?

Perhaps because in some ways, this is the purest of holidays.  Gratefulness, period.

Conversation – affection – laughter.  Nuggets of warmth for our hearts. All easy on the budget.

Okay, so we can’t forget  The Meal. Basic necessity. (Though I do need to come clean and admit that I am a consummate foodie.)

Huge thanks (not to overuse the word) that we are fortunate enough to have food on the table.

Perchance this perusal of clay stemmed from the act of rolling pie crust from a heap of dough. Hmmm…

I sat in quiet prayer in the early moments of the day, mentally cataloging Blessings. This list is long – and wide in range.

Astounding, really.

Will this intricate infrastructure hold up under pressure?

Picture this…the seemingly ample cornucopia of cohesiveness, reduced, like the turkey dinner gravy.

My life, boiled down…what flavors predominate, linger on the palate and in the memory?

We all have those moments  we would like to “deconstruct”, or at the very least, push the rewind button so we can correct the less than perfect spots. Adjust the seasonings, so to speak.

Since technology has not yet graced us with that option, we are reliant upon God for the tools we need to patch and repair.

I return the to the image of that lump, setting aside the not so palatable memories of my restoration and reconstruction projects.

Some, like the great cathedrals, span over many years. (You would think I could get it right in record time – but God doesn’t always work that way.)

We begin every day as an inert mass, yielding to God’s remarkable way with the workable materials within us.

We are lifeless…until He breathes fullness and form.

He shapes us in fresh ways, time and time again – all variations of His likeness. Each of us is a unique product of the Divine Designer.

Can we be so pliable as to let His creative hand have artistic license?

Thankfulness…

     For simplicity.

     For being made by God.

     For living as an expression of His glory.

     For new beginnings.

…Bring on the wheel!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

      ~Psalm 118:1                                                                    

On this day of counting blessings, my wish is that all of you experience the closeness of God in unique and meaningful ways.

This journal entry from a past Day of Thanks sums up my sentiments…

Abundance

Western vistas frame our world

Each day dawns with promise…

The sunsets, a spectacular summary

He Leads

As we traverse our unique path,

We are called to stillness and contemplation

Reflecting on His amazing providence

He is Present

Through small daily mercies

In the comfort of a loving embrace

He Desires

For us to be fruitful

As we fully surrender to Him

He Refines

Gently calling us to Him

Softly sifting the wheat from the chaff

He Beckons

To be foremost in our lives

Exquisitely present in both joys and trials

Hoping for our faith and trust

He Watches

As we fulfill His good purpose,

Reaping our harvest in His name. 

This is what the Lord says to me: “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of the harvest.” 

~Isaiah 18:4       

Thanksgiving 2007

You can do no great things  – only small things with great love.

~Mother Teresa

After posting The Power of the Pen, I did start scribbling some thoughts, at least mentally – but it took a week before my thoughts were paper ready.

I wrote to my Mom and Dad.  Their lives reflect the beauty of  making the most of just a little in the way of material things; heaping doses of love are ever-present, filling  in the gaps.

With them, I had the good fortune to hit the jackpot in the familial lottery. 

While parts of my letter were for their eyes only, I feel as if you should know a bit about Dorothy and Lac. (my maiden name is LaCamera)

I cannot think of two more humble, generous, and caring people on this earth. Their lives have been punctuated with quiet service, both to family and friends, done graciously and with no expectations. 

Both Mom and Dad think of others before themselves; I so admire this about them. They think nothing of dropping everything to come to someone’s assistance in the midst of a predicament.

During the days when helping strangers stranded along the road was without peril, Dad would often come to their aid so that, one day, someone “would help one of his daughters if they were in the same situation”.  Dad was depositing goodness in hopes that we would be the recipients of another’s largesse at a time of need.

 Our schooling was a high priority for Dad; he did all he could to ensure that my sisters and I could go to college, making many sacrifices along the way.  His mindset was progressive in this regard; many Dads prioritized  marriage over higher education for their daughters during the late 1960’s.

Though Dad never finished his college degree,  in my mind he has attained an Honorary PhD. in kindness. 

He is the Giver of the Little Things, always bringing treats to the workers at his office (and yes, at 82, he still goes to work for a few hours a day). The employees at the bank and the post office also look forward to his goodies, along with the latest stories about his granddaughters and great-grandchildren.  Everyone loves my Dad.

In a book called The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, there is a scene where the father takes his daughter outside one night.  It is close to Christmas.  The family has no money for presents, but the father tells his daughter to look out at the thousands of stars in the sky, and pick a very special one, just for herself. This was his Christmas gift to her. 

This passage was so touching….and, in my mind, it describes my Dad to the T.  If he could give me -or anyone else – any star in the universe, he would.

 Lest I give the impression that I grew up with everything I wanted, I will say now that I survived Dad’s not allowing me to go to the local bowling alley, or hang out at the fried chicken drive-in where “everyone else was allowed to go”  (and the strawberry pie was soo good there, too).

As I started to raise my own children, I soon realized that he and Mom were strict because they loved me. I thank them for that (even though I thought their some of their rules were cruel and unusual punishment at the time).

Mom is the quiet strength in our family (and occasionally is The Maker of  The Little Things). Being around her calm and consistent demeanor is like snuggling under a warm blanket.  

She worked hard to keep Joni, Geri and I in check while Dad worked two jobs during our grade school years.  I have never heard her complain about much – even to this day.  Her unflappable and positive attitude always prevails.

Mom is amazing.

She is always there when we need a listening ear, or a piece of advice. Thoughts of us are always present, as she frequently sends articles of interest, emails (at 81, she is a whiz on the computer) and care packages. Her  grandchildren look forward to Nana’s boxes of yum!

With Mom, I have made peace with having to live with those awful bangs that were 1/2 inch from our hairline, and as a teen, the frequent reminders to “stand up straight” and “use some blush”.  I even survived the ritual of having to dust each rung of the 10 (yes, 10!) Venetian blinds in the den – every week.

And…I thank her for the countless times she made me practice piano when all I really wanted was to be playing outside with the rest of the kids in the neighborhod.

All humor aside, my parents gave us the biggest gift of all – their  example. 

 After almost 61 years of marriage, they are still best friends.

They continue to  serve as mirrors of God’s love, reflecting that love to everyone in their lives.  That, coupled with their goodness and giving hearts, leaves a legacy for the next generation.

I wish everyone could know them.

So, Mom and Dad, as this season of gratitude approaches….

“I thank my God every time I remember you”  ~Phillipians 1:3