A breath of fresh air

The respiratory gunk hangs on. All around me people hack and cough.

We take our breath for granted, and it’s only when I wheeze that I am reminded of this constant function that keeps me alive.

At our women’s fellowship, a woman tells us about the Hebrew unpronounceable name for God.  This isn’t because God is remote, she explains; rather God’s name shows how very close the great I Am really is—as close as our breath. The letters Yhwh are not meant to be pronounced but rather to be breathed.  We inhale the Yh; we exhale the wh.

And as I use another inhaler and drink hot tea, I give thanks for the God who keeps me going. Every moment of my day, each labored breath, is an invitation to remember the Creator and all breathing things.

Years ago a 90-year-old woman with great physical difficulties taught me a prayer that comes to mind frequently (a sure sign of God’s presence, as Ignatius would say, because the effects of this prayer are longlasting). 

“Breathe in God; breathe out anxiety,” Mary used to pray. She repeated the two phrases to help us let go of distracting thoughts and enter more deeply into prayer.

I am aware that my existence is inextricably linked to the unconscious habit I have of breathing.

The lungs link me to Abba  (another great word for inhaling and exhaling).

What thoughts am I thinking under my breath?

I long to curse the illness and the people who don’t stay home when they are sick. Instead I ask Yhwh to turn this breath into a prayer for all who suffer respiratory issues.

Or I think of nearly 3 billion people in developing countries who cook over open fires in their homes, breathing in smoke and living shorter lives as a result. Where is the justice in that?

I breathe as deeply as I can, wondering what Yhwh is thinking.

The naked tree outside my window speaks winter, but tiny brown wrens dance among the twiggy branches. They announce spring is coming. I breathe along with them and praise the God who holds us all.

The Lovers

This is a bit long, and maybe it's a stretch to put it here for busy people.
I preface this by saying to all us busy people: Take time to notice the people around you!

 Every Sunday, he waits for her and his face lights up when she comes through the door.

She smiles sweetly and takes her place next to him in the very front pew.

All during the service, he holds her hand like it’s the most precious object in the world. She never pulls it away. In fact, she seems to savor his touch and long for it as much as he clearly longs for hers.

I watch and see tangible tenderness.

I wonder what their parents would think if they saw them together!

“It will never last,” I imagine them saying. Something in this weekly meeting strikes me as a couple that shares a secret.

He inclines his whole body towards his Juliet, and with his legs crossed, his knees leaning toward hers, it’s as if a physical longing to be with her overcomes him.

Their heads tilt, shoulders rounded, and their bodies form a heart as they sit there.

I can see them easily from my seat in the choir. They never notice me because their eyes are only for each other. Ever attentive, he leans closer at every movement she makes, and I imagine that if he could get any closer, he would. This hour of prayer seems to be their most precious hour of the week.

Oh! Would that more people exhibited such a passionate love! Even if it is in the front pew of a church!

He helps her with the song sheet. He observes her unabashedly as she closes her eyes.  He appears eager to meet her every need, and starts if she makes the slightest movement. When everyone stands for the Our Father, they remain seated, absorbed in a love that reaches out to the hands of the people on either side.

St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel always, and sometimes use words.” This crosses my mind as I observe them.

As the final hymn plays, he hands her his handkerchief, and I am reminded of the old fashioned flirtatious ploy of a woman dropping her hankie to get the attention of a suitor. He gives her a token of his undying love, I conclude.

They aren’t the first ones to leave. In fact I must wait extra long in my seat with the choir to watch their parting. Oh, I can see it will be sad!

He stands slowly, and shuffles very deliberately to the back of her wheel chair. He unlocks the break, and they head to the door.  A caregiver from the assisted living home where she resides is waiting at the door. He will go home alone.

Great lover were visible in church this morning. Perhaps the great love in the broken bread is what keeps the couple going, providing nourishment for them all week long.

 Give thanks for the signs of love all around you. And have a great week!

How to make life better

Don't we all want a happier life? Perhaps the following story holds the answer:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/22638/the-rich-young-man-and-the-look-of-love

Countdown to Pope Francis' visit

What will this holy man have to say to our nation's leaders, and the leaders of the world!
Tune in!
Here's my very personal take on it:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/22516/the-golden-ticket-to-a-papal-mass

Are you Star Certified?

I hope you will read this post because it speaks to how to use every moment, even freeway moments, to stay centered in your life:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/22323/star-certified

Whatever happened to. . .

I hope you will check out my first post on an AWEsome website.

http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/21795/after-the-wedding-at-cana

I love imagining about the lives of people who appear briefly in a sentence or two in the Gospels.  You will find great resources at IgnatianSpirituality.com.
Let me know what you think!
(Sorry this post is short, but I am rather busy!)

Join the Club!

My friends and I once facetiously formed the “Too Busy Club,” where to qualify for membership you had to miss at least three meetings in a row, or you weren’t busy enough to be a member. 

Young people have full agendas with classes, careers, causes and relationships as they start out to build independent lives. Our culture offers many pursuits that keep young professionals and students running at full throttle.

Retirees complain that they are busier now than they ever were while working.  As people age, their pace slows down a bit, so time actually does shrink for people. The 20 seconds it used to take to tie one’s shoes now takes 40 seconds. Such subtle changes occur without people really realizing when their days got shorter.

I have more than 100 unread email messages at the end of every workday if I don't keep up with the constant flood of messages. And that is separate from my home email box, where another copious quantity of messages awaits me at the end of each day. When we first embraced email, it was supposed to make life easier or more efficient. It started out as fun, exciting, and unique. Now it's overwhelming. 

So every morning (I am a morning person), I start with my biggest priorities: prayer, exercise, and checking in with family. And a healthy breakfast. It's a great way to start! Then if the day overwhelms me and the clock cries, "It's bedtime!" I know that I got the important things included in the day. And no one knows how many days we get! So we better make the best of them.

Enjoy today!