Daily Dose (Dec 17 – 20)

TUESDAY DEC 17 —

This week, we are unpacking the four ingredients to being a daily pilgrim. And we begin with the good news: You don’t have to leave home to live like a pilgrim.

Ingredient number one, we see the journey, not just the destination.
Destinations are so alluring. And yes, tempting. Because something will happen (come together, make sense, reconcile) when we arrive. And yes, there is a part of our psyche that is like a four-year old five minutes out of the driveway on any family trip, “Are we there yet? Are we done now?”
And true, every pilgrimage is tied to arrival at a sacred site. But focusing only there, we can forget that we see the sacred, every day, all along the way. And delightfully, in places we didn’t expect.
We can easily be like the tourists who religiously follow the advice of travel journals, and then miss the unanticipated “sacred places.” We’ve consumed many books or sermons about the correct way to live life (or to be invested). Which, sadly, we assume, is a life other than the one we have today.
In other words, we haven’t trusted that we are empowered to witness and savor this life. Including all the “duckling moments”.
Yes, I’m empowered to put on my “savoring hat”.
With savoring, the other invitation is the gift of vicarious joy, the communal nature of our journey (as the woman telling me the story about the boys talking with the ducklings at Knott’s Berry Farm learned).
We are on this journey together.
There is no doubt that when we move from his or her story to our story, our world becomes bigger. Our horizons and reams are expanded, keeping us from closed minds and hearts, which are the fuel for fear and paranoia and jealousy. And shame.
So. Just like the woman’s gratitude spilled in telling the duckling story to me and I pass it on, gratitude expands our world, and allows us to look out beyond our angst, to a world where we can create space, sanctuaries for mercy and wholeness and compassion and gentleness and empathy.
Our world becomes bigger, never smaller.
And allows for inclusion and inherent dignity and replenishment and healing.
Onward together.

WEDNESDAY DEC 18 —

We are all on a pilgrimage, whether we realize it or not. And this week we unpack the four ingredients of being a daily pilgrim. Ingredient number two, the permission to be at home in my own skin. The freedom to give up the need for labels, or shame, or the burden to impress or perform.
This I know in my core; it is not easy to hear the voice of Grace say to me, “You are enough.” And to rest, to be at home, in the skin of this me. This week I received a reflection that did my heart good, a reminder of the gift of this me.

Patience visited me
And it reminded me
That good things take time to come to fruition
And grow slowly with stability
Peace visited me
And it reminded me
That I may remain calm through the storms of life
Regardless of the chaos surrounding me
Hope visited me
And it reminded me
That better times lay ahead
And it would always be there to guide and uplift me
Humility visited me
And it reminded me
That I may achieve it
Not by trying to shrink myself and make myself less
But by focusing on serving the world and uplifting those around me
Kindness visited me
And it reminded me
To be more gentle, forgiving and compassionate toward myself
And those surrounding me
Confidence visited me
And it reminded me
To not conceal or suppress my gifts and talents
In order to make others feel more comfortable
But to embrace what makes me, me
Focus visited me
And it reminded me
That other people’s insecurities and judgements about me
Are not my problem
And I should redirect my attention
From others back to me
Freedom visited me
And it reminded me
That no one has control over my mindset, thoughts and wellbeing
But me
And love visited me
And it reminded me
That I need not search for it in others
As it lies within me.
(Artist unknown)

THURSDAY DEC 19 —

Three, the ordinary is the hiding place for the holy.
As a boy, stories from the Bible were a staple in my education. Remember the Old Testament story about Moses, on a mountain in a desolate place, on the edge of gloom? A bush begins to burn. And a voice speaks from that burning bush. “Take off your shoes,” it said. “You are on holy ground.” Now, in the church of my youth, this was not suggestion. This was God after all, so it was a command to be broken at great peril. Because, if God is holy, show some respect. If not, you’re going to get SMOTE. (I can still hear the severe tone in our pastor’s voice. This taking the shoes off wasn’t meant to make us smile.)
I now believe that those words were not a command at all.
I believe those words, “take off your shoes,” were an invitation.
You are on holy ground. My oh my.
Therefore, in order to touch, to feel this ground, let’s remove whatever blocks or inhibits or prevents.
Take off your shoes. Savor the ground.
Grounded… literally sinking into life. Sanctuary does not remove us from life. But allows us to be fully alive smack dab in the middle.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin reminds us, “One could say that the whole of life lies in seeing.” Yes. Smack dab in the middle. But now I am seeing, living, sacramentally.

“This morning, outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
I remember when church let out
How things have changed since then
Everything is holy now
It used to be a world half-there
Heaven’s second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
Cause everything is holy now”
Peter Mayer

FRIDAY DEC 20 —

We are, all of us, daily pilgrims. Carrying these ingredients: The invitation and permission to focus on the journey, not the destination. To be at home in our own skin. To know that the ordinary is the hiding place for the holy.
And the fourth ingredient; the freedom to let go of what restrains us (of what holds us back, or keeps us down).
In other words, the invitation to embrace healing and liberation.
And yes indeed, the list of what hold us back can be long, so, where do we begin? In conversations with many during this holiday season, grief and sadness are real. And so is the pressure (in some ways a burden) to not let that sadness show. As if it is not real. So, we pretend, put on a cheerful face, and give way to “should”. After all, I shouldn’t feel sorrow this time of year. I do understand that temptation. So, this reflection did my heart good, and is for every one of us who needs a hug, and to hear the invitation, “Be gentle with yourself.”

“Remember, you don’t need…
to be merry and joyful this Christmas.
If instead, you’re feeling blue or alone.
And you don’t have to be brimming
with festive cheer, if you’re struggling
to find your own.
The Christmas season can be especially hard
when loved ones are no longer around.
Memories start to surface, with certain
songs, sights and sounds.
Give yourself permission and space to
‘feel your feelings’, for every emotion
has its own purpose and meaning.
If you’re feeling stressed, full of sorrow or pain.
Invite those feelings in, let them sit with you,
for a while, they are never in vain.
Let your tears fall,
release those sad thoughts.
If you need a hug, or comfort,
perhaps, tell someone you trust.
Give them a call.
Remember, it’s okay not to feel ok…
After all…
Christmas is a time for love and peace.
And that includes being kind to yourself.
So be extra gentle with your heart please.
Acknowledge your worries…
Reach out and talk to someone, you trust.
For it may help, your pain soften a little and ease.
And if nobody has told you this today.
You are worthy,
you are beautiful and you are loved.”
“Christmas Blues” by Demelza Dhotel

And with Winter Solstice on Sunday, Warm wishes to all on this longest night, and May the light return soon.

Prayer for our week…
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With ev’ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
 Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller

Photo… “Hi Terry, I appreciate Sabbath Moment and am looking forward to your presence and presentation at the January 7 retreat at Kinsmen Lutheran Church. I have an ebook of nature photos and original quotes. This photo was taken at Josey Lake Park in Cypress, TX.” Wendi Gordon… Thank you Wendi… I’m so grateful for your photos, please send them to [email protected]