Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Okay, I love the physical world. Sure, I adore ideas, spirituality. One of my favorite things in life is an original, unique idea - I live to think the thing no one has ever thought before. We spend much of this blog discussing high minded, spiritual ideas. But, at the top of my favorite things: the smell of my children's hair, a hot bubble bath, old churches, pedicures, German food, wine - not German, books, classic Adidas tennies, comfortable stilletos, beautiful fabrics... You get the idea. It's a very long list. I really appreciate being alive.
Also at the top of the things-I-can-not-miss list is any moment that there is evidence of things I can not see. I like to walk for an hour or so every day. The weather service told us to expect a cold front to arrive this afternoon, followed by rain. When I left home it was 77 degrees. Just as I was peeling off my sweater, the warm breeze shifted and the temperature dropped 15 degrees in less than a minute. A cool gust brushed in, the warmth returned and then the breeze shifted and it was in the low 60's. I loved it. Evidence of things not seen, the precise moment the cold front arrived and changed the day.
Tonight, Mom and I went to a discussion and practice of contemplative prayer at our church. Deacon Phillip skillfully introduced us to the central idea of finding a place of quiet to listen for God's guidance and find balance. Fifty or so people sat together in still, quiet reflection for 15 minutes. I felt the shift and cool breeze again and God spoke to me. (I'll save what God said for another time) What is most valuable is not the things we can see but the things we can experience: the familiar smell of those we love, the warmth of the sun, the clear, present, unmistakable knowledge that God is with us and wants only the best for each of us.
Okay, I love the physical world. Sure, I adore ideas, spirituality. One of my favorite things in life is an original, unique idea - I live to think the thing no one has ever thought before. We spend much of this blog discussing high minded, spiritual ideas. But, at the top of my favorite things: the smell of my children's hair, a hot bubble bath, old churches, pedicures, German food, wine - not German, books, classic Adidas tennies, comfortable stilletos, beautiful fabrics... You get the idea. It's a very long list. I really appreciate being alive.
Also at the top of the things-I-can-not-miss list is any moment that there is evidence of things I can not see. I like to walk for an hour or so every day. The weather service told us to expect a cold front to arrive this afternoon, followed by rain. When I left home it was 77 degrees. Just as I was peeling off my sweater, the warm breeze shifted and the temperature dropped 15 degrees in less than a minute. A cool gust brushed in, the warmth returned and then the breeze shifted and it was in the low 60's. I loved it. Evidence of things not seen, the precise moment the cold front arrived and changed the day.
Tonight, Mom and I went to a discussion and practice of contemplative prayer at our church. Deacon Phillip skillfully introduced us to the central idea of finding a place of quiet to listen for God's guidance and find balance. Fifty or so people sat together in still, quiet reflection for 15 minutes. I felt the shift and cool breeze again and God spoke to me. (I'll save what God said for another time) What is most valuable is not the things we can see but the things we can experience: the familiar smell of those we love, the warmth of the sun, the clear, present, unmistakable knowledge that God is with us and wants only the best for each of us.
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