• About The Sophia Center

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

~ Spanning the denominations in NY's Southern Tier

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Tag Archives: loving care

The Best We Can Do

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

answer, blessings, happiness, health, loving care, Meg Wheatley, perseverance, prayer, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, treasures

adaffodilinsnowLooking out and seeing one more snowfall in this third quadrant of the month that is supposed to bring us May flowers, I once more reached for the book called Perseverance for an encouraging word. (Meg Wheatley is good at providing solace in down-to-earth terms when everything looks bleak.) I shouldn’t complain; look at the destruction on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai and other serious weather disasters around the world. And that’s just the beginning of what people are enduring in their lives.

As I pulled the book toward me, a bookmark fluttered out and landed on my lap. It was the answer to my need for help, of course. It was familiar – “a blast from the past” – and reminded me of all the singsong prayers in my childhood that made up a treasure chest full of meaningful messages that always seemed an answer on days like this. It also brought to mind the beautiful, giving friend from whom it came and whose example I try to follow. Perhaps you will find it meaningful today as well.

I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard. I felt the answer in my heart although God spoke no word. I didn’t ask for wealth or fame; I knew you wouldn’t mind. I asked God to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. I asked God to be near you at the start of each new day, to grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small, but it was for God’s loving care I prayed the most of all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close to the Brokenhearted

31 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

brokenhearted, healer, loving care, Lynn Bauman, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, troubles

abrokenheartThe refrain used this morning for the psalm response in the lectionary readings is very poignant and comforting. Verse 19 says that God is close to the brokenhearted and Lynn Bauman’s commentary says that it is at the level of the heart (deeper than the intellect) that the psalmist speaks this prayer and gives this guidance. He titles this psalm “The Healer of Shattered Hearts” and his translation of the lectionary section provides beautiful images of this healing God who can be counted on to enfold us in the confidence that love brings. This one deserves to be read aloud – more than once.

Indeed God hears the voice of those who cry in pain, drawing near to them with tender, loving care. God comes so close to those who live with brokenness, to heal those with the deepest inner wounds. God is healer of our shattered hearts. Yes, it is true, the troubles that plague humanity are vast and deep. But it is God who frees us from them all. God guards our hearts, our core, our very bones, the inner frame of those who serve the good. And nothing there is ever truly broken or destroyed. (vs. 17-20)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Dwelling Place

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

birdfeeding, birds, care, God, Lord, loving care, psalm 84, sparrow, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

asparrowLately I’ve been watching the birds on our deck; we sometimes have breakfast together. This is the season of big bags of birdseed in the kitchen and suet cakes hanging on a pole outside – necessary in the winter and safer for us to offer the birds who haven’t migrated because the bears are hibernating now. It’s amazing to notice the varieties of coloration, size and shape of our visitors, especially the different woodpeckers who hack away at the suet with a vehemence that would surely give me a headache. Clearly the word is out there that this is the best place to get a good meal because they grace us with their presence every day. From the tiniest finch and titmouse to the graceful flocks of mourning doves they know they’ll find a welcome here.

I smile this morning at Psalm 84, one of my favorites, in part because of the birds. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord…Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young…Blessed are they who dwell in your house! Continually they praise You. Even in the winter when berries and other delicacies are hard to find, when the trees are stripped of their leaves and the wind makes flying a challenge, the birds find crevices and bird houses and the dried grasses for shelter. Such is the care offered the birds by humans and their land. So tender and loving is the care of our God for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donate to The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Donate

Our other websites

  • Main website
  • Facebook page

Visitors

  • 103,508 hits

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,045 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • The “O Antiphon” Meditations
  • Memorial to be held this Sunday
  • Mark your calendars
  • A note to readers
  • “Hope Springs Eternal…”

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Join 559 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...