Walls and Portals

The Canticle for today's Morning Prayer is from the Third Song of Isaiah....





"You will call your walls, Salvation,"





Cadrieu, France 2009

"and all your portals, Praise."

St. Cirq-Lapopie, France 2009

Hour By Hour

Connecting spiritually in France hasn't been a problem; connecting to my spiritual practice, however, has taken me awhile. Just getting used to being in a new place with a new routine disrupted my practice of morning devotions. I wasn't able to pack my Bible due to its size and weight. I've coped by finding my Forward Day-by-Day devotions online and have used an online Bible site to read the verses indicated for each day. Before I left Des Moines, my friend, Karen, gave me her prayer book, 'Hour By Hour'. The small, slender volume fit perfectly in my carry-on bag. This little book helps me 'pray the hours' in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and at compline. It's been the tool that's been the most helpful in getting me back into a spiritual routine. While I don't think I can make weekly worship happen, praying both 'hour by hour' and when I hear the village church bells chime will keep me connected and grounded in God.Thank you, Karen, for being God's instrument in my life!

"By the Rivers of Babylon"

I am captivated by this land where I am a sojourner...a temporary resident. I live on the banks of a river, the Lot, which flows eventually into the sea many miles west. The river defines this land: It sculpted the causse which has sheltered man in its limestone caves since prehistory. It provides a waterway for transportation east to west. Its valley produces food for its inhabitants. For me, this moving water is an anchor for my spirit. It is my 'river of Babylon' where I sit down to remember. To remember God's spirit that moves through this land and through my life. To remember to be grateful and give thanks to God for His many gifts and blessings. To remember friends, family and people of faith. But above all, to remember to praise my Creator for the simple beauty of this earth.

" By the rivers of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
 On the willows there
 we hung up our harps.
 For there our captors
 asked us for songs,
and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ "            Psalm 137:1-3 

"How could we sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy"    Psalm 137:4-6

Traveling

The next few days are going to be filled with last minute preparations for my trip and with the journey itself. My mind is abuzz with details, details. Already there have been some surprises and complications to contend with. Everyone says to me 'aren't you just so excited?' The answer is yes, of course, but that excitement is overlaid right now with the logistics of closing up my house and putting my business affairs in order for an extended length of time as well as the details of traveling with Lucie, renting cars, figuring out how to get from the airport in Paris to Laury's house. Throw in a France-wide strike on September 23rd and maybe you can understand why my excitement isn't bubbling to the surface right now. I predict that I won't truly feel it until I'm standing with Lucie in Laury's living room! Until my arrival in France, Dona Nobis Pacem will be on hold. Come back after September 24th for the 'rest of the story.'

Listen

In the cool, dark pre-dawn, I sit at my table and listen to the fog and last night's rain condense into droplets that splat against the leaves of the big oak tree outside the open door. Crickets churr shrilly, a last chorus before sunrise. Close by in the creek bottoms, I hear the hoot of a sleepy owl...once, twice...four times. I'm reminded to be still, to be silent, to listen and hear God's silent prayer. A cow bellows; a crow caws for its friend. In the distance I hear a car wind up through its gears headed for work. Under it all, God's voice is there. Even through the world's daily business, it can be heard if I stop and get quiet, if I go inside and listen with my heart open. In the midst of crossing things off my 'to do' list, working through the final preparations for my trip, and worrying about things both in my control and beyond it, God reminds me that if I'll stop, be still and listen, I can hear his magnificence in the splat of a rain drop, the soft hoot of a sleepy owl, in his caw and his bellow. Listen! 

Trust

There's a line in a prayer attributed to Mother Teresa that says:

  "May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be."

How easy that is to do and how hard! It's easy now; I'm in the midst of a great adventure, excited and full of anticipation for the future. How hard that was just six months ago as I sat here feeling stuck, forgotten and unheard by God. What happened between there and here? Lots of prayer, lots of perseverance, and lots of trust. I wasn't always successful in maintaining the tranquility of mind that I was exactly where God wanted me. I did my share of whining...both to God and to others. I admit I got tired of trusting. I wanted a sign, some action, something to let me know that God was working on my dreams or if not, then what His plan for me was. It all happened, but in God's time, not mine. Pray, persevere, and trust.

Rule of Life

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Piety...

    Holy

    Faithful

    Love

Study...

    Spirit

    Hearts

    Fire

Action...

     Come

      Fill

      Kindle