Permission to Rest — the Kindness of God

Posted on March 25, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The upraised arms of our Convention Center

Good Morning, God!

I have been given permission to rest! And now I am smiling as MANY people (including myself) have been trying to give me permission to rest. But, somehow, I didn’t “believe” it — or “accept” it.

Aaah, but yesterday, as I heard Jan Johnson talk about prayer as connecting with You, God, and then while she talked about the spiritual practices of solitude and silence, something clicked.

Maybe it was when she told the story of how Dallas Willard, in one of his classes, required people to spend 10 hours in bed the first four days of the class. TEN HOURS IN BED?

Part of me thought HOW WONDERFUL. Another part thought, IMPOSSIBLE. I pondered whether I could do it. Let’s see — if I climbed in bed by 8 p.m. and stayed there until 6 a.m. THAT would be 10 hours. I resolved to TRY it.

And I DID IT! Aside from getting up in the night for a trip or two to the bathroom I was in bed over ten hours. Alas, I can’t do it four nights in a row. But, I am looking forward to more sleep and less busy. More Time with You and less to Do!

I shall fall and fail. But, my Heart LONGS for this. My Body NEEDS it. And Your Spirit will help my Spirit — to get BACK ON YOUR PATH.

Posted in a series of molts and upgrades, A weekly day of rest, accepting my ability to REDESIGN, rest, Rethinking

The Importance and Beauty of Trees

Posted on March 24, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A monkey pod tree along Punahou St.

Good Morning, God!

Just as seeing the Kolea brightens my day, so do the monkey pod trees bring me joy. There is something about their shape that just makes me happy.

I like to think, God, that they make You happy, too. In Psalm One the folks who love and follow in Your Ways are compared to Trees. Furthermore, they are Trees planted by streams of water, whose leaves will not wither. They are called Trees who will bring forth fruit in their season.

The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galations 5:22-23). You know, God, I always forget about that “longsuffering” fruit. Now we translate it as patience or forbearance.

But, I once saw an image of our now lush tree-filled Nuuanu Valley — completely deforested! The photo was taken back in 1900. There was not a single tree. Only grass. It was so sad, God. Truly, I believe the Land itself was suffering. Certainly, the ability of the land to absorb and hold rain water was badly damaged. Trees are so important, God, to the health of the land and thus to our health.

Hmm. The Land was both suffering and patient. But, the Land was also forgiving. We (the Territory) declared it watershed land and planted trees. And the Land recovered its health. So, maybe, that “longsuffering” fruit — is sort of a willingness to begin again? A willingness to have TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS planted? A willingness to BECOME A TREE?

We need More Trees, God! We need Both real trees and people that You will call Trees. Trees of both sorts bring Joy!

Posted in becoming the change I wish to see, Endurance, Fruit of the Spirit, Trees

Golden Plovers and their Spring Trip

Posted on March 23, 2011 by a moment with god — 2 Comments

: Pacific Golden Plover

Good Morning, God!

We are getting close to mid-April when the Kolea (Pacific Golden Plovers) gather and then fly off to Alaska. I love seeing these bird, God. Partly, because they are beautiful, but also because the whole idea of these birds flying off to summer in Alaska is mind-boggling.

Apparently, it is a 50 hour direct flight. 50 hours! If they were like us, they would have to be doing “training” flights. Although, just how one would train for a 4,000 mile flight isn’t clear. It is especially not clear, God, because the Kolea seem to prefer walking!

Then there is the question of “navigation.” I had thought that maybe the young birds just followed the older birds that had been there (Alaska) before. But, it seems that the older birds fly first — leaving the young to get there on their own. Hmm. One study of 20 birds — banded and fitted with radio transmitters in Hawaii — found that 19 of them returned from Alaska. That is a pretty good percentage survival rate. Although, I find myself hoping, God, that bird #20 decided to fly to California with friends.

Their breeding plumage is also a delight to me! They fatten up and put on what I think of as “tuxedos” — so smart and dressy! Surely, God, You DO watch over these birds! And, it comes to me that You long to watch over us as well. Please help me, God, to trust You as the Kolea do!

Posted in delight, interspecies contact, Trusting God, web of life

A Very Effective Ant Killer

Posted on March 22, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Ant killer? My ants are gone!

Good Morning, God!

One of my most reliable friends recommended this artificial sweetener as a very effective ant killer. I thought, Really? How odd is THAT, God!

But, we have been beset by the world’s smallest ants for several months. Kit and I have trouble seeing small crumbs — crumbs that will feed a multitude of these tiny ants. I don’t like poisons in our home — so I was being really clean — but not clean enough. So last time I ate out I brought home two little yellow packets. I sprinkled them in a few corners and prepared to wait the week my friend said it would take.

But the ants began to disappear more quickly than that. But the end of the day there were only scattered groups left. And the next day I only saw a few scouts. Yesterday I couldn’t find any ants. Amazing! I am really pleased about this ant killer.

But, God, I confess to being worried for my friends who are using these small yellow packets. I admit, although I love techie toys, I am VERY conservative when it comes to food. If I could turn the clock back 200 years, I would.

I understand that humans are MUCH bigger than ants. Still, I am uneasy knowing I will be watching dear friends dump this artificial sweetener into drinks. There are people who are concerned about sugar substitutes. But, the concern seems to be based on scientific studies. I wonder. God, how much MORE concerned people would feel if they had just used them to kill ants?

Posted in food questions, health

Super Full Moons and a Day of Rest

Posted on March 21, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The Super Full Moon, March 19, 2011

Good Morning, God!

Ah, what fun it was, God, to walk out with Kit looking at the Super Full Moon. The full moon was only one hour away from its perigee (closest point) on Saturday. The closest full moon in 18 years.

But, the moon was so bright that we never did get to see Saturn which was rising later but still close to the moon.

A lovely evening — and a Sabbath eve, too — making me understand why the orthodox Jews begin Sabbath at the sight of the first star.

Days of rest vary — Friday, Saturday or Sunday — but they are a key part of life.

Am I getting better at keeping them, God? Or is the idea of “grading” myself on how well I am keeping the Sabbath, in itself, a misapprehension of what the day is all about? I think so! Perhaps, more important than how well I refrain from work, is how much I am beginning to look forward to the Day of Rest.

I had prepared a pad with a list of “non-work activities” that I could do on the Sabbath. Then, when we came back from our walk, I picked up the pad and scrawled DRIFT NAP across the list. That felt RIGHT, God.

And that is what I did . . . I napped and read and played games with my mom and enjoyed dinner with Kit and drifted through the day. Smiling. Thank You!

Posted in sabbath rest, seeing myself as a sheep, simple joys of daily life

Willful Blindness — A Must Read!

Posted on March 20, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Willful Blindness by Margaret Heffernan

Good Morning, God!

I’ve been listening to Willful Blindness for over a week now. I’m only half-way done, but already it is having an effect on me.

Wednesday, at a meeting I spoke up and said what I thought. And then yesterday I also said some things that I believed needed saying. In truth, I didn’t want to even think them, let alone SAY them.

But, my energy level is back up now. I have just experienced how much energy it takes NOT to look at the obvious! Knowing that is good, but EXPERIENCING it is so much more powerful! Thank You, God!

The information in the book covers just about every aspect of our lives. Yesterday I learned about how we are “hardwired” to follow orders. As individuals we have a keen moral sense. However, as members of a group — even just barely “groups” — we switch over into wanting to be good members of the group. We do what we are told. This behavior is something the military works very hard to balance! And business schools seem to be starting to talk about it.

The book is FULL of information that helps me better understand myself and others. Seeing willful blindness as something we ALL suffer from helps me be more understanding and less judgmental, God.

Ah, God, the more I learn the more I understand the difficulties in our changing and growing and being more fully human. And, that understanding, in itself, makes reading this book worthwhile. But, God, You will have to help people read it. Knowing all of this is HARD!

Posted in choosing HARD, Compassion, seeing, Understanding

Mom gets a Perm and a Smile

Posted on March 19, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Mom with her new perm -- a good hair day!

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday was a Good Hair Day for Mom. After two set backs with an outer ear infection she was well enough to go off to the Cinderella Beauty Salon right there in the Hawaii Kai retirement residence.

HURRAY! I teased her and said I should have taken BEFORE and AFTER photos. Only, what woman wants to have a photo taken of her with her hair looking like Albert Einstein’s hair! Electric!

Somehow, God, looking like we are “in control” helps us get back in control. Nothing is so good for our morale as having our hair done!

Ah, God, I think of the people of Japan. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and losing family and friends pretty much slams our normal sense of being in control. Resiliency is really a matter of regaining our sense of control. I don’t mean “cosmic control.” What I mean by regaining control is assessing of WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT DOES IT MEAN, and WHAT CAN I DO!

I suppose, God, that is sort of like having a RESET button we can push when our circumstances change drastically. Doing that brings us back into balance. And being in BALANCE means that we are better able to respond. Maybe not right away and not without having to turn around.

Still, having YOU, God, in my life — the GROUND of my being — means I am able to put my roots down into You. That really helps with stability and balance! And I am very thankful, God.

Posted in a hand up, attitudes

A Long Climb

Posted on March 18, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Moro Rock: the stairs going up

Good Morning, God!

For some reason this photo really caught my eye, yesterday. Perhaps, it is because I have been thinking of the long, hard job the Japanese have to rebuild and recover after the earthquake and tsunami.

Or, it could be, that listening to the book Willful Blindness has been bringing me nose to nose with things I have to change. And even small changes feels like climbing.

Yesterday I heard that drivers who are legally drunk do better than drivers talking on a cell phone. AUWE! I didn’t want to know THAT!

Hmm. Did You just say that I had heard that fact before but “disremembered” it? You’re right! And the author is right in that we (we, as in ALL of us) have LIMITED attention. We simply cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. Not talking on the phone while driving will be a big change for me.

I was telling all this to a dear friend who reminded me that my car COULD be a sacred space — a place where I might hear You with my innermost being — a place of quiet.

Yes. I believe it can be. And that brings me back to the people in Sendai. I received an email passed on from a Teacher of English there. She talked about how the people helped one another — those who found that their water was turned on would put up a sign so others could come and fill their containers. Their doors were left open. And, with no light pollution, the stars were filling the sky.

Dear, God, You long to fill us with Your Spirit, just as Your Stars Fill the Sky!

Posted in accepting my ability to REDESIGN, adjusting, Changing

Honolulu 2011, Coming Soon!

Posted on March 17, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Morning, God!

Not this weekend, but the next, Kit and I will be attending Honolulu 2011. It is massive overload — but I love it! It is: wonderful speakers both local and flying in from all over! Old friends gathering, coming together to hear and sing and pray and talk.

And, then there is the sense of JOY that comes from Your Holy Spirit!

HALLELUJAH! OH YES, HALLELUJAH!!!! Surely it is good to Bow before Your Beauty, God!

And after earthquakes and tsunamis and nuclear disasters, I feel like prostrate is even better than bowing. It is a comfort to join together with friends and pray for Your Mercy to be poured out on us. I have to confess, we humans have not made wise decisions, God. Yes, You have noticed.

I remember my grandfather shaking his head about home builders putting homes in the Arroyo Secos of Southern California. On average, every 50 years a major flood would wash through them. Ah, but 49 years seems like a long time to us humans. And people built.

So we design nuclear power stations that resist BIG earthquakes — but not HUGE ones. What kind of “cost benefit analysis” was going on there, God? Ah, but, The Unexpected, is just that — unexpected and unanticipated. And we are all vulnerable. Please help us all, God, to live more wisely in this active, changing world! And, maybe, give us better “imaginations?”

Posted in choices, Compassion, imagining, intentional and invited sacred space, Prayer

Confirming One Another’s Existence

Posted on March 16, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

People we haven't given ourselves permission to feel comfortable with

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday, My Favorite Curmudgeon was telling me that she was upset that she was the only one who hugged “Mike” or made a point of acknowledging him. (Not his right name to protect a lot of us.)

Mike is in a wheelchair and — after I saw how my friend Geri from Kauai lavished Mike with attention and prayers — I do try to say “hello.” But, God, I needed Geri’s example to even get started on the absolutely basic task of confirming another person’s EXISTENCE AS A HUMAN BEING!

So, now, after a good burst of indignation from My Favorite Curmudgeon I am shamed into overcoming my “social awkwardness” and will be more aware of my obligation as a fellow human being.

But, God, this isn’t just about Mike. It is about so very many opportunities we have during the day to Pause and Pay Attention. Not just show interest — BE INTERESTED — in our fellow humans. Smiling at the people I jog by — learning and using people’s names — sending a card to show I care.

Years ago I came across a quote by Paul Watzlawich, “The Primary Purpose of Human Communication is to Confirm Our Existence as Human Beings.” As soon as I read it, God, I thought THIS IS TRUE!

It seems to me, God, that maybe words are the least part of communication. Smiling, nodding, waving — aaah, and LISTENING — these are things we can all do. The only word that really matters is the NAME of the person we are with.

After all, I can ask You — call all the Stars by Name — to help me learn and use people’s names.

Posted in Communication, connections