Wild Weather

Tags

deliver me, fear, God, guide, lightning, path of life, psalm 31, safe, shelter, stormy, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wind

It was difficult to go to sleep last night. Thunder and lightning the like of which I have not experienced in quite some time accompanied wind and torrential rains, washing away the last of winter. It seemed to last for hours. It’s still raining a little this morning but quietly; all that’s left to do is the clean up of branches strewn everywhere around the yard. Thanks to my father who taught us to revere storms, counting the seconds between lightning and thunder to determine the storm’s distance away from us, I am never afraid of their power or potential for destruction. I am aware but never afraid.

I am reminded of that gift of confidence in a short section from this morning’s responsorial psalm (#31 – alternate translation) that sings: So come then, God, deliver me. You are my solid ground in sinking sand, a place that’s firm to plant my feet and stand. You are for me a shelter safe, a guide upon the path of life. So today my prayer is two-fold. I pray for those who have experienced great loss from storms and need to have their trust in God and in life rebuilt. Smiling, I pray in gratitude for my father and for people the world over who are like God in their ability and willingness to be a safe shelter for others in times of need.

Lazy Days

Tags

centering prayer, consciousness, inner enemies, Jesus, motivation, psalm 31, spiritual practice, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

The alarm on my new phone woke me unexpectedly this morning at 6:00. As I groaned and tried to go back to sleep because the weather promised to keep me home today, my mind took over and, among many racing thoughts, reminded me of my New Year’s resolution to get up at 6:00 or 6:30 each day. It is the only way, it seems, to complete all my intended spiritual practices before the day takes over. By 6:15 I had surrendered and was drinking my first cup of coffee, a bit groggy but grateful nonetheless.

As the Scriptures focus on the journey of Jesus toward Jerusalem during these Lenten days, there is often talk of “enemies” and their attempts to discredit or capture Jesus. This morning I was taken by the lines of the responsorial psalm (PS 31: 5-6).

So spring me from the many traps my enemies have set for me; protect me in the refuge of your care. Into your strong hands I offer up my spirit now. O rescue me, my God of truth.

While I can’t say I encounter enemies who would be setting traps for me as I go about my days, my early moments of consciousness this morning got me thinking about “inner enemies” or what I learned in my youth to regard as “the seven deadly sins.” The lassitude that almost kept me from acting as my best self today might not qualify as sloth but it certainly could become the habit of laziness. There are always excuses at the ready: jetlag, a busy day yesterday, aching joints caused by the weather…so it doesn’t hurt to do a quick check of motivation or lack thereof on days like this. Actually today I’m grateful for it and a list of projects is already forming in my mind. So, having been rescued, I’m off now to meet God in my centering prayer time!