“O God, help me! How a soul suffers when she loses the freedom to be who she truly is. What torment she endures. I am amazed to see that I survived such pain. Praise be to God, who gave me life when I was on the brink of such a deadly death.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
On Saturday when I meet with the Shalom Program leaders and students, I’ll be sharing gratitude for the way St. Scholastica’s spiritual direction class has been helping me move into the greater and greater freedom of being Lezlie.
As a young adult, I was thankful my parents encouraged me to become the very best Lezlie I could be. They weren’t interested in making me into an Amelia or a Janet or a Suzy. I’m sure sometimes it was hard for them because they could have told Suzy what to do. Instead, they expected Lezlie to think for herself and make good decisions. These days as I mature in the spiritual life, I am thankful God encourages me to become healthy and whole, developing into the best Lezlie I can be.
Teresa writes, “How a soul suffers when she loses the freedom to be who she truly is.” One of the biggest advantages of spiritual companioning is the opportunity it gives us to move away from the pain of the phony self and in the direction of health and wholeness. Teresa’s words remind us that we can reach out at any time for the freedom God gives to become who we truly are, and we can join Teresa in saying “Praise be to God.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 30
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 20-24:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 20-24:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Back Each Other Up
“People are so lazy regarding the things of God that those of us who love and serve him need to back each other up if any of us are going to make any progress on the path.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Late Monday afternoon I was running up the central staircase of St. Scholastica’s Tower Hall on the way to my office where I planned to drop off the day’s meeting notes and then head on home. One of my friends was coming down the same staircase, and her face lit up when she saw me. “Hi, how are you?” she said. “I’ve been reading your blog, and I’m wondering how the meeting with your pastor went last week.”
Teresa says it’s important that we back each other up when it comes to the spiritual life, and I’ve been thinking for the last forty-eight hours how very much it means to have friends who are supporting me on the journey.
Last week my pastor and I talked about ways to use my spiritual direction training at the church, and it can be counted as one of the most stimulating conversations I’ve had in a long, long time. Also, an amazing thing happened during the meeting, something Teresa would have understood. The Holy One stepped into the room with us for awhile—the door did not open or close, but Someone Else was there for a time—and later on we went back to two from three. During the whole conversation I had the sense I was in the right place at the right time, just where I was meant to be.
Added to the blessing of this conversation is the blessing of friends who care about me, ask questions, and back me up. I am so thankful for everything that has happened this week, and I am especially grateful for a chance meeting on the stairs at the end of the day…
What a gift!
Late Monday afternoon I was running up the central staircase of St. Scholastica’s Tower Hall on the way to my office where I planned to drop off the day’s meeting notes and then head on home. One of my friends was coming down the same staircase, and her face lit up when she saw me. “Hi, how are you?” she said. “I’ve been reading your blog, and I’m wondering how the meeting with your pastor went last week.”
Teresa says it’s important that we back each other up when it comes to the spiritual life, and I’ve been thinking for the last forty-eight hours how very much it means to have friends who are supporting me on the journey.
Last week my pastor and I talked about ways to use my spiritual direction training at the church, and it can be counted as one of the most stimulating conversations I’ve had in a long, long time. Also, an amazing thing happened during the meeting, something Teresa would have understood. The Holy One stepped into the room with us for awhile—the door did not open or close, but Someone Else was there for a time—and later on we went back to two from three. During the whole conversation I had the sense I was in the right place at the right time, just where I was meant to be.
Added to the blessing of this conversation is the blessing of friends who care about me, ask questions, and back me up. I am so thankful for everything that has happened this week, and I am especially grateful for a chance meeting on the stairs at the end of the day…
What a gift!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 29
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 13-17:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 13-17:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Give Yourself Over to God, Part 2
“And so, if I were asked for my advice, I would say this: if a worthy inspiration arises in you, never hesitate to manifest it. Do not let fear rule your actions. If you give yourself over to God and practice detachment, there is no reason to be afraid that things won’t turn out. God is all-powerful. May he be blessed forever.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
When I look to Teresa for advice, there are certain passages I turn to over and over again. “If a worthy inspiration arises in you, never hesitate to manifest it” is high on my list, and this is the second time I have used it for The Wisdom Project. When I wrote on this passage in May, God was whispering in my ear about a place for Rebecca to stay after graduate school. Today I am following Teresa’s advice again, and we’ll see where it leads me.
As you can probably tell from reading my blog, I am enjoying my spiritual direction class very much. On Saturday we had the first group meeting to begin our last year, and it was fun to see everyone and get caught up on what’s been happening in their lives. Even more importantly, we had a chance to begin practicing spiritual companioning and I am more convinced than ever that the Shalom Program is just where I belong.
Today I called my church to explore ways I could use my spiritual direction skills in the parish when my coursework is completed in May. Tomorrow I will be meeting with our visitation pastor, Sonja Anderson, for a more in-depth conversation about what the church needs and where my gifts might fit in. I am very inspired by this turn of events, and I’ll keep looking to Teresa as I make my way along the path. Until tomorrow I’ll keep Teresa’s advice in my heart and on my lips: “If you give yourself over to God and practice detachment, there is no reason to be afraid that things won’t turn out.”
I’ll keep you posted!
When I look to Teresa for advice, there are certain passages I turn to over and over again. “If a worthy inspiration arises in you, never hesitate to manifest it” is high on my list, and this is the second time I have used it for The Wisdom Project. When I wrote on this passage in May, God was whispering in my ear about a place for Rebecca to stay after graduate school. Today I am following Teresa’s advice again, and we’ll see where it leads me.
As you can probably tell from reading my blog, I am enjoying my spiritual direction class very much. On Saturday we had the first group meeting to begin our last year, and it was fun to see everyone and get caught up on what’s been happening in their lives. Even more importantly, we had a chance to begin practicing spiritual companioning and I am more convinced than ever that the Shalom Program is just where I belong.
Today I called my church to explore ways I could use my spiritual direction skills in the parish when my coursework is completed in May. Tomorrow I will be meeting with our visitation pastor, Sonja Anderson, for a more in-depth conversation about what the church needs and where my gifts might fit in. I am very inspired by this turn of events, and I’ll keep looking to Teresa as I make my way along the path. Until tomorrow I’ll keep Teresa’s advice in my heart and on my lips: “If you give yourself over to God and practice detachment, there is no reason to be afraid that things won’t turn out.”
I’ll keep you posted!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 28
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 6-10:
Monday 0
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of September 6-10:
Monday 0
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wild Ride
“Blessed be you, O Lord, who has made me incompetent and useless!” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Today while I was doing centering prayer, my mind was doing anything and everything else. It was as disruptive as an unruly colt. I experienced a wild ride as it threw off my prayer word (dwelling-place) and began planning my day and counting all my worries. I guided it gently back to dwelling-place and it bounced the word off its back and into the dust. Over and over again this happened until I finally experienced a tiny bit of peace by sinking into dwelling place, only to have the kitchen timer beep the signal that my centering prayer time was complete.
Who knew centering prayer could land me in the dirt and nearly break my bones? In the chapter called Joyful Abandon from The Book of My Life, Teresa writes—“Blessed be you, O Lord, who has made me incompetent and useless!” My prayer today echoes hers—“Blessed be you, O Lord, who has given me a mind like an unruly colt!”
Some centering prayer days are full of grace and light. Others are like mine was today. This morning the exercise did not seem entirely fruitful, but I got good practice at beginning again. The key for me on days like today is in remembering my centering prayer time is not about whether I am successful at dwelling in a contemplative state but rather whether I am successful at sitting in the chair and returning, returning, returning to the word.
The best thing for me to do now is to thank God, dust myself off and begin centering prayer all over again tomorrow.
Today while I was doing centering prayer, my mind was doing anything and everything else. It was as disruptive as an unruly colt. I experienced a wild ride as it threw off my prayer word (dwelling-place) and began planning my day and counting all my worries. I guided it gently back to dwelling-place and it bounced the word off its back and into the dust. Over and over again this happened until I finally experienced a tiny bit of peace by sinking into dwelling place, only to have the kitchen timer beep the signal that my centering prayer time was complete.
Who knew centering prayer could land me in the dirt and nearly break my bones? In the chapter called Joyful Abandon from The Book of My Life, Teresa writes—“Blessed be you, O Lord, who has made me incompetent and useless!” My prayer today echoes hers—“Blessed be you, O Lord, who has given me a mind like an unruly colt!”
Some centering prayer days are full of grace and light. Others are like mine was today. This morning the exercise did not seem entirely fruitful, but I got good practice at beginning again. The key for me on days like today is in remembering my centering prayer time is not about whether I am successful at dwelling in a contemplative state but rather whether I am successful at sitting in the chair and returning, returning, returning to the word.
The best thing for me to do now is to thank God, dust myself off and begin centering prayer all over again tomorrow.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 27
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of August 30 – September 3:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of August 30 – September 3:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Nothing But Good
“‘Never give up this practice, because it can do you nothing but good,’ he told me. So I began to engage in prayer again, and I have never ceased.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
This is the twenty-seventh week of my Friday Prayer Reports.
When I started The Wisdom Project, it was with the hope that I would be able to engage in a more regular prayer life. I wanted to follow Father Barrόn’s advice to Teresa: “Never give up this practice.” My prayer time has brought “nothing but good,” as Father Barrόn suggests, and the prayers have sustained me, especially in times of sadness, difficulty and transition.
I do not always make my goal of doing centering prayer at least four days a week, but I have been praying regularly. With help from the Holy One, I hope to continue on this path without ceasing…Will you join me? We can encourage each other in the effort and give the glory to God.
This is the twenty-seventh week of my Friday Prayer Reports.
When I started The Wisdom Project, it was with the hope that I would be able to engage in a more regular prayer life. I wanted to follow Father Barrόn’s advice to Teresa: “Never give up this practice.” My prayer time has brought “nothing but good,” as Father Barrόn suggests, and the prayers have sustained me, especially in times of sadness, difficulty and transition.
I do not always make my goal of doing centering prayer at least four days a week, but I have been praying regularly. With help from the Holy One, I hope to continue on this path without ceasing…Will you join me? We can encourage each other in the effort and give the glory to God.
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