Stopped by Beauty!

Posted on April 3, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A bromeliad, I think -- BEAUTIFUL!

Good Day, God!

This afternoon I drove up our valley to see Dr. Fickes for a thermography exam. As I was walking toward her entrance I was stopped by this flower. Out came my camera so I could capture its glory. Amazing!

Beauty is important, God. Maybe it is even essential? What comes to mind is the Chinese proverb: When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.

That feels very wise. And I’ve been pondering why that might be. Perhaps it’s because beauty tugs me toward You? Beauty speaks to some inner part of me — reassuring me that both Beauty and Hope exist — and will continue to exist.

Beauty appears daily . . . in the daytime sky and in the starry night. The Heavens DO declare Your Glory, God!

Wild grass -- with light shining through it

And so do the ordinary things of life. I stopped this morning on my jog to take a photo of weeds . . . or wild grasses. Less obvious beauty, but it’s there, if we only look. Your Light can transform anything.

I suppose, God, this may be why some older people can radiate beauty . . . they are letting You shine through them.

Transparency . . . focused on others . . . hearts full of love . . . I have friends like that, God. Thank YOU!

Tagged with: beauty, bromeliad, hope, thermography, wild grass
Posted in beauty, hope, Hope as a gift from God, Light

Noticing — And Being Noticed

Posted on April 2, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

very small pink flowers — waiting to be noticed

Good Day, God!

I just happened to look down and see these very small pink flowers. I was leaving my mom’s and when I saw the little flowers I thought, “How many small “ordinary” things are there waiting to be noticed?” I’m quite sure there are far more than I see.

What do I notice, God? What are the thoughts that regularly run through my mind? Often they are Next Actions. Things like returning overdue library books, getting cash out of an ATM and gas for my car.

Today, while listening to Roy Baumeister’s book, Willpower, I heard him say that “raising the level of our thoughts” does increase our willpower. Raising my thought level sounds pretty abstract, God, but I think he means focusing on why I want to do something instead of how am I going to do it. It seems that a good “why” is motivating.

Baumeister went on to talk about how Eric Clapton and Mary Karr were both freed of their alcoholism through AA — Eric instantly as he overcame his pride and surrendered to You. Mary took a longer slower path. But, as they both said when asked about it — IT WORKS!

I’m smiling, God. It all seems so simple. You really do care about us. But, You know our hearts and wait to be wanted. I’m smiling, God, because suddenly I am seeing myself as one of these Very Small Flowers. Only, it is You who have paused — to notice us .

Being seen, being heard, being noticed. That fills my Heart. It answers my Whys.

Tagged with: being noticed, noticing, Roy Baumeister, Willpower
Posted in Affirmations, Being ENJOYED by God, Books, Perspective, seeing, small meaningful moments

A String Bass, Mellow Music and Respect

Posted on April 1, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Kaipo of the Mokulele Trio

Good Day, God!

Palm Sunday, complete with a donkey and Hosannahs filled our morning. Marvelous music, God! Children’s choirs and massed choirs and all of the congregation singing away.

Then this evening we went up to the Oahu Country Club for dinner as the guests of a dear — family, really — friend. And more music! The Mokulele Trio was so mellow. When they played at our table my ear was up close to the bass. I could feel — as well as hear — the vibrations of the strings. Real music, God. Real music.

It was quite a contrast from the amplified big band music of last night. I like big band music, God. But, when the volume is cranked way up it becomes painful!

Hmm. Peter tells us to always be ready to give an answer to those who ask about the hope we have within us. Then he says, “But do this with gentleness and respect, . . .” [I Peter 3:15]

Yes, God, the music I heard tonight spoke to me with “gentleness and respect.” Whereas the amplified music of Saturday night was neither gentle nor respectful. It bulldozed its way into my being!

Music or words — both are more easily received when they are “gentle and respectful.” And, You, God — You seem to speak in whispers. We have to really want to hear You. In fact, rereading the verse from I Peter, it looks as if we have to ask!

Oh my, I am so eager to share my thoughts on this and that that I don’t wait to be asked . . . I just look for an opening. Sigh. Ah, yes. Here is an “assignment” — to be so full of hope that we are asked about the reason for it.

Thank You, God, for the Hope You give!

Tagged with: Hawaiian music, I Peter 3:15, mellow music, Mokulele Trio, Palm Sunday, respect
Posted in hope, Music, respect

Time — How best to Dwell in it?

Posted on March 31, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Heliconia seen while shopping at the Farmers' Market

Good Day, God!

I enjoyed strolling around at the Farmers’ Market this morning. I had time to do that because I wasn’t driving home before going to my Retreat Meeting at Central Union Church. Not having time constraints felt lovely, God. Hmm. It was only looser time constraints — but that still felt good!

I’m thinking more about Time for several reasons. The first, and I have too smile at it, was “seeing” my inner (imaginary!) service dog sitting next to me with my shiny silver Timer in her mouth. Talk about a message from my Inner Self!

That same Timer is sitting next to me now, God, ticking away. I need it. It is easy for me to get lost in what I am doing and loose track of Time.

The Time Paradox by Philip Zimbardo

The second reason was that after the meeting, when I stopped at Barnes & Noble, I discovered The Time Paradox by Philip Zimbardo. I came home and took the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI).

The results sure surprised me, God! I think of myself as a Present Person — but my score on that was lower than 50%! And my future orientation was the only thing higher than 50% — the average score. Could it be that I am still “working”– not yet living as if I am fully retired?

Hmm. Self awareness comes so slowly, God. Of course, I will have to read the book — not just skim it — to get a real understanding of how my Time Perspectives matter.

One story that caught my attention was about a psychologist working with Post-traumatic stress sufferers. Their focus on their painful past was eating up their Present and affecting their Future. It helped them to take a Time Overview of their lives.

I’m pretty sure it would help me too, God.

Tagged with: living in the Past Present and Future, Philip Zimbardo, The Time Paradox, time constraints
Posted in Perspective, perspectives, time

A Marvelous Birthday!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Our daughter Patty, on the back of a CD of her poems set to music

Good Day, God!

I am so thankful! I mean, God, I think my Heart has been EXPANDED today — so that I feel just how fortunate I am. I am OVERFLOWING with gratitude and awe.

One fabulous “birthday gift” was given by my friend Pulelehua who came over to put my website “together.” (Click here to see it.) And just this evening I put up our late daughter Patty’s CD in the section of my website called Mango Days. Patty’s poems, journal entries and letters to her best friend were compiled into the book, Mango Days by Kit Smith — her dad and my husband.

Then two years ago a fine musician named Jim Funkhouser — through Kit’s Andover alumni connections — read the book and asked if he could set some of Patty’s poems to music. Wow, God! We were thrilled — and moved to tears when we heard Jim’s music.

So, God, being able to post information regarding Patty’s CD — which contains two Song Cycles, Dusk and Between Worlds — made it more real to me. And even more thankful to Jim Funkhouse, the gifted composer.

Even more than all of that, God, just laying my life out via a website gave me a chance to SEE and APPRECIATE it. For example, the only way I could “improve” life on my birthday was to include a 90-minute massage. Soooo, GOOD! Earlier, after coffee and chocolates at home with Kit, I met a friend to walk around Kapiolani Park and swim in the ocean like I do almost every Friday. It’s hard to improve on my non-birthday life!

Meanwhile our daughter Sandy and her son Mark are on their way from Arizona to Los Angeles to visit our daughter Suzanne. They will (I hope) send me a few photos and text messages. So, God, I have a family I adore — AND I get to live in Hawaii. THANK YOU!

Tagged with: Dusk and Between Worlds, gratitude, James Funkhouser composer, Mango Days, song cycles
Posted in appreciation, daughters, Families, gratitude, LOVE

The Blessings of Maintenance

Posted on March 29, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Maintenance workers emptying one of the sidewalk trash cans

Good Day, God!

Thank You for Maintenance Workers! I have been putting trash in these sidewalk trash cans for years. But I never thought about how they got emptied or who emptied them!

Hmm. Well, YES, God. It takes real people to do maintenance work. Trash doesn’t just disappear over time.

And my Inner Trash bins are not going to empty themselves, either, are they!

Dang! That’s my job. Just like making our bed and brushing my teeth. And, just like filing or tossing my papers — I don’t like doing it. The thing is, God, that I can see the papers piling up . . . I can see the stacks of magazines growing. My Inner Trash is mostly invisible.

Oh, oh. I think I just heard You say that I could ask You for Help in Finding it, and Feeling it. Sigh! Papers and magazines are EASY compared to my inner trash. Inner Trash hurts . . . smells . . . has a nasty buzz to it. I really don’t want to touch it.

But, You say, IT’S TOXIC! OK, God. I hear You.

I will go and Center right now. Back again and oooh . . . most of my trash has been “compacted” and seems to be made up of “Judgments” . . . Yikes! What’s worse is that I have taken my “compacted judgments” and built walls out of them. Yes, YES! I hear You. “Do not judge that you be not judged!” During my prayer time, God, You took one of my Judgments and transformed it into Love for the person. Oh, that is so much better for my soul — and my health.

Let me say with Job (42:2) “I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

I hope that includes your purposes with me. All Praise be to You, God!

Tagged with: cleaning up my heart, decompacting judgments, inner trash bins
Posted in A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, clean and tidy, LOVE, Maintenance, self care as maintenance

My Inner “Service Dog”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by a moment with god — 5 Comments

I traded in my Inner Mother Cat for an Inner Service Dog

Good Day, God!

What an amazing morning I had, God! You truly do love to surprise us with out-of-the-box experiences!

After my early morning Eldest Daughter Prayer Time, I drove up to Tantalus to see June, my Spiritual Director. She prefers calling herself a spiritual friend and it is true that she is gentle and nuanced, not at all directive.

I got to telling her about my Inner Mother Cat — that’s the one that has been really hard on me for “letting” our daughter Patty die. June suggested that maybe I didn’t need her inside me any longer?

What? I had to ask June to repeat that, God, because it was so unexpected. Did I have a choice? Really? June thought I did.

So, I closed my eyes and a mini series of inner images flowed through my mind: putting my Mother Cat in my lap and petting her; handing her to Jesus; being horrified as she put out her claws and made Jesus bleed; Jesus holding her and smiling at her and breathing on her.

My Mother Cat was going to be healed and comforted — things I had never been able to do for her. What a comforting feeling that was, God! And so freeing, too!

Then, and I forget exactly HOW it happened, but it seemed that You wanted to give me a Service Dog to replace my Mother Cat. Slowly the dog came into focus. It was an Irish Wolfhound. A white Irish Wolfhound. June said she didn’t think they were white. But, they are! Anyway, I am Very Thankful, God, because I know that I need a Service Dog (her name is Jacqueline) to help me take better care of myself.

Tagged with: An Inner Service Dog, Inner Adventures, Inner Scenes, My Mother Cat, Spiritual Director
Posted in a prayer for healing, asking for help for myself, Our inner Cat, responding to God's Spirit, small meaningful moments

When the Impossible happens

Posted on March 27, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The safe landing on the Hudson River

Good Day, God!

Impossible things DO happen. And if we notice that they have happened, we respond with joy and awe. We certainly rejoiced at the safe landing of the US Airways plane on Jan. 15, 2009, on the Hudson River!

Two thousand years ago, as told in the first chapter of Luke, came another “impossible” event: Zechariah and his wife have a son in their old age, just as the angel Gabriel had foretold.

Because Zechariah expressed doubt, his ability to speak was cut off at that moment — all the way through the pregnancy. When it came time to name his son, he had to write out “His name is John!” Immediately Zechariah’s voice returns, and he bursts forth into praise and prophesying.

My favorite part comes right at the end where he says:

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the Morning Light from Heaven is about to break upon us, to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the Path of Peace.”

These are glorious words, God. I love them. I hope You don’t mind if I use them “out of context,” so to speak, and as a prayer.

Thank You, God, that because of Your Tender Mercy, The Morning Light from Heaven shines on us — giving Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Guide us, Oh God, to the Path of Peace.

That’s a good way to greet each new day.

Tagged with: birth of John the Baptist, impossible events, the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah
Posted in mysteries, Praise, Prayer, rejoicing

What’s possible? What’s not?

Posted on March 26, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a young Golden Plover (Ka Leo) soon to fly off to Alaska

Good Day, God!

I love these birds. This one still looks very young. I saw others last week who were already in their Mating Plumage. Sometime in mid-April they will begin to gather on fields and then they will fly off to Alaska. Alaska!

It is things like that flight to Alaska, God, that make me realize Nothing is Impossible to You!

If I didn’t know anything about migrations and someone showed me this bird and said, “Next month it is going to fly from Hawaii to Alaska.” I would say, NO WAY!

This morning, while I was reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, I thought about this whole question of what is possible and what is not.

As humans we are often quite certain about what is not possible. Take Zechariah. There he was in the Holy of Holies, doing his priestly duties — when an angel appears. The Bible says the angel appears just to the right side of the altar of incense. I liked that detail, God.

Anyway, the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his prayers are to be answered and his wife will bear him a son. But, Zechariah knew that he was old man and his wife was “well along in years.” In short, Zechariah KNEW that it was NOT possible for his wife to bear him a son.

Sigh. I am tempted, God, to think that if I saw an angel I would have no trouble believing his message. But, I am just like Zechariah. There are some things I am sure about. I know they are not possible.

But, now I’m thinking about the Ka Leo about to fly off to Alaska. And, I am realizing that I know very little. More and more I am believing ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO YOU!

Tagged with: Angel Gabriel, Golden Plovers, migrations, what's not "possible", what's possible, Zechariah
Posted in complexity, Faith, humility, mysteries, Rethinking

We are all on a voyage

Posted on March 25, 2012 by a moment with god — 2 Comments

a portion of a mural at the Hawaii Convention Center

Good Day, God!

Sunday evening . . . the long awaited conference is over . . . leaving behind so many useful ideas and so many memories. But, it isn’t really so much about useful as it is about relational.

This is a chance to see people that I only see once a year. It is a chance to be together in prayer on the Prayer Team with friends from other churches and other denominations. Putting aside differences that have divided people for years, we focused on what unites us.

This evening my husband Kit and I went to hear Tony Campolo talk at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu. Tony spoke at the conference and this was one more chance to hear him before he flew home. We both love Tony Campolo even though we are always challenged by him. Or maybe we love him because he challenges us.

Being “challenged” doesn’t happen very often, God. Not nearly often enough. Because what we call “Christianity” has been filtered through 1,950 years of CULTURE! It has been Americanized to fit comfortably with Our Values. I fear, it fits far too comfortably.

Looking at this photo of Hawaiian voyaging canoes makes me think about the difficulties of transmitting The Message from one culture to another. As St. Paul said, “we have this treasure in earthenware vessels.” Sigh. It is hard work, God, trying to get the Message from one culture to another — or even from one generation to another.

Tony talked about Red Letter Christians — mostly young people who focus on following the Words of Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus speaks to our Hearts. Please help me, God, to spend TIME in His Words — not just to read them but to let them soak in.