I’d love to be able to “tie a ribbon” on this day of journaling with some words of wisdom because it’s a powerful grouping of images for me. I’m a bit distracted, though. I’m scheduled to receive my first coronavirus vaccine in two hours, and with that comes news of Covid infections being on the rise again. The best I can do in the moment: Christ, have mercy.
2020
“[Mercy] is the very heartbeat of God resonant in creation; the warmth that pulses through all things as the divine Mystery flows out into created form.” —Cynthia Bourgeault, Mystical Hope
“‘Something in you dies when you bear the unbearable. And it is only in that dark night of the soul that you are prepared to see as God sees and to love as God loves.’ —Ram Dass
Sooner or later, if you are on any classic ‘spiritual schedule,’ some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter your life with which you simply cannot cope using your present skill set, acquired knowledge, or willpower. Spiritually speaking, you will be led to the edge of your own private resources. At that point, you will stumble over a necessary ‘stumbling stone’ (see Isaiah 8:14). You must ‘lose’ at something, and then you begin to develop the art of losing. This is the only way that Life/Fate/God/Grace/Mystery can get you to change, let go of your egocentric preoccupations, and go on the further and larger journey.”
My turn now… A while back, I shared with my friend Liz about a hike to the top of Poe Mountain, one of her spiritual favorites. I described the gentle wave of mountains visible from the top that delighted my soul, and she named that experience for me, “Yamanami.”
“[T]he art of losing” is perhaps seeing the yamanami of our stumbling stones.
2018
“God understands our pain. That is good theology for Good Friday. And that kind of theology only happens when we connect the Bible to the world we live in. … [L]et’s get out of the sanctuaries and into the streets. There is a movement happening—and this movement is about life.” ~Shane Claiborne, Keep Watch with Me Lenten Reader
2017
“The poet sits, or if it is a fluid moment, he scribbles some words upon the page. … An unsolvable disharmony of such work–the mind so hotly fired and the body so long quiescent–will come sooner or later to revolution, will demand action!” ~Mary Oliver, Upstream
2016
On my way right now with my dear friend, Lynn, to Lutheridge in North Carolina for the ‘Create in Me’ retreat, where I’ll be sharing my love for journaling. Oooh… so excited!
2015
grace at the center of it all this week (quote in image by Cynthia Bourgeault)
2014
yay, ARTreach!
2014
grateful for time shared with new friends at Treehouse
2014
Marked with the Cross of Christ… Lectio Journal – A spiritual journal is a record of God’s word to you. Does anything in the Colossians 1:17-20 passage stand out to you? Back in January, I reflected on that passage while in Peru. This is a journal page created during my time with our brothers and sisters there.
2013
A blessed Easter to all! If you haven’t already done so, you are invited to watch the young artists from Peru as they create this series of art inspired by the Lord’s Prayer.
vonda drees art 