patterns

Have you ever noticed patterns? They might be those personal morning habits of stretching, arms held high before we crawl out of bed, grabbing the toothbrush to scrub fresh breath in our mouths or putting on the kettle for that morning cup of caffeine. Maybe it’s not just the routine of our day, but something noticeable in nature such as the symmetry of a mountain range, the ripples on the water or trees planted in a row along the lane. God created patterns on the feathers of the sparrow, the wings of a butterfly and the cinnamon stripes on a soft kitten.

There are also negative patterns in our world. The incessant need to check our text messages, to grab a pill when there’s a pain or snapping back in anger when we see injustices. The Ojibway have a beautiful way of weaving a pattern of positive values into the hair of a braid.

Each strand represents a human quality to be carried through the day and into a person’s life. As each stand is woven, the person weaving meditates that quality as the process of a single braid is achieved. One braid might be love, honesty and faith. Another might be spirit, body and mind as one. The person weaving asks the Creator for guidance and uses the strand as a daily prayer. This visible reminder represents those positive human qualities and one should daily seek those values. Jesus often slipped away to pray. (Luke 5:16)

We can pick what we ponder and pray about. We can establish positive habits. We can choose not to conform to the patterns of this world. (Romans 12:2) Moses brought the 10 commandments down from the mountain to establish a pattern of living for the Israelites. The early church established a pattern as well by

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

And so, as we move through our days, continue some of our quirky habits, let us encourage each other, meet, laugh and talk together and develop positive patterns in our daily lives. Are you ready to add a beautiful habit in the pattern of your life’s tapestry?

remember

As a Middle School teacher, I was always intrigued by the solemness of our students during our Remembrance Day assembly. These normally robust, energetic and fidgety teenagers would quietly sit on the steel chairs watching images of soldiers, peacekeepers, mothers and veterans displayed on the white screen as the band played. They would stand at attention as the Last Post resounded in the recesses of space and they would close their eyes and bow heads when we stood in silent solidarity for a minute that might have seemed like eternity for some. Such reverence. Such thoughtfulness. Such sincerity. Acknowledging and paying tribute to so many who gave their lives for our freedom. Remembering.

I can still recite “In Flander’s Fields” to this day. When I was a young student, we memorized John McCrae’s poem. I know that seniors I have spoken to remember the ration cards from the war years. My friend’s son remembers his days as a peacekeeper in the Middle East. One senior I spoke with remembered the “Doodlebugs” in England, the bomb with wings from Germany war planes. Others choose not to speak of the atrocities they saw and the pain they endured. Yet we must still remember those who died for us so we could be free. On November 11th, we honor those brave souls. Remembered.

Many young people today have only seen “war” on the big screen movies or television news. Yet the war we are fighting today continues. We fight for our freedoms, our rights and some for their very lives. Our war is spiritual and when both God and the devil fight for our souls, we know there is something very precious worth fighting for. And so this week, as we pause to ponder, let us remember the man who gave his life for us, the ultimate sacrifice to free us from sin and give us life everlasting. Remember.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16

giorno

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. That bible verse is clear as day. October was a month of birthdays for me. Members of my family, friends and neighbors and even myself celebrated another revolution around the sun. There was Thanksgiving and every month has its special days. Why not celebrate each one of them?

Whether it’s “dies” in Latin, “nap” in Hungarian or “dia” in Spanish and Portuguese; the word day has been with us since the Beginning.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1: 1-5

And so, just as words pass through our mind, our actions for the day are moments in time. LIfe is the adventure. Each day is a new prayer. As the sunlight creeps into to day, I realize that November has done the same. There is a skiff of snow, the last of the leaves have fallen and small flocks of geese fly south over the lake. No butterflies. No flowers. No need of shade from the sun. Winter is on her way and my days will be spent more indoors than out. And so, I take each day as it comes and celebrate the moments.

Today I get to sing. I am able to wake and take a breath of fresh air outside. Today I can share my love with others. I am able to serve. Today I can praise the creator of the universe. I can read, write, speak and think. I can capture my thoughts in words. I can feel, worship. dream, live. I hope you can too, so enjoy your day!

sound

Sound the alarm! If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is, but no worries because it just sounds like a plan to me. Some love the sound of their own voices and some sound like a broken record but it sounds fishy to me. We can relate to the sound system of the media with the sound track playing the same messages. We can see the sound stage of our world with its sound pollution and sound barriers. Is anyone really listening?

So many are sound asleep. Can we hear the sound of silence?

As the sun bursts into life from the womb of dawn, the sound of morning glory comes to life. Sound energy moves in waves across the landscape, the earth, the air, the water and life is heard by living beings. If we listen closely, we can hear the voice of God, our Creator, whispering in the silences of our souls. We are to be of sound mind. So many are so empty inside.

Every mouth, heart, instrument and space can be filled with songs of praise, encouragement, wisdom, love, music, stories and life. There are songs to sing, stories to tell, praises to sing, filling the world with the sound of joy. When the furnace cuts in, a car door slams, a diesel truck roars by and my day begins, I listen for the birds in the trees, read my daily bread and thank the Lord aloud for the blessings in my life.

Max Lucado tells the Parable of the Mop Bucket - a man who looks and sounds tired as his feet shuffle and the wheels of his cart move along the office hallway. Then he hears a voice like Moses heard from the burning bush; that Samuel heard in the quiet of the night; that David heard before his battles. If you would like to know what was said, check it out at: https://www.anecdonet.com/03/03/the-parable-of-the-mop-bucket/ We too can hear God’s voice in the sound of our sorrow, joyful times, strife, blessings and daily battles. Just talk to him and he will answer.

“so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.” 2 Samuel 5:23-25

travel

I really want to go somewhere - anywhere - now that the leaves are falling from the trees, the mornings are frosty and there is snow on the mountain tops. I long for the days of flying but I need to reroute. In the expanse of each new day, I need to let go of the world and its destinations and travel inward.

I don’t need a car, a train or an airplane for the purpose of finding joy. In the stillness of my space, I can reach out to God and I am filled with thanks, love and life. My soul has the sun and I can feel its warmth within me. The surf of my spirit joins the chorus and cadence of the waves as I walk on the sandy shores of my daily life. I continue this inner journey and find peace and healing from my Maker.

I have walked the cobbled streets of Rome, tasted the pomerac fruit of the Caribbean. I have seen palm trees swaying from the Pacific wind and I have tasted the salt on my lips from ocean sprays. I have soared into the clouds and watched the whales breech along the coast, but today I travel to the place untouched by human hands into my soul. The light floods the landscape of my life relfecting rays of sunrises and sunsets.

My longing is a connection to the God of the universe and as I read his Word, I am reminded of ancient places and meet all sorts of travellers. I sing praises and hear the music reverberate through my veins. I pray to Him and am transported to indescribable places of beauty that I see through observant eyes. And so, as I sit at my morning meditation table, my spiritual journey continues as I learn His ways, lean on Him for strength and wait for Him to continue showing me HIs glory. My journey isn’t over. Judges 18:5-6

 Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.”

The priest answered them, “Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.”

feathers

Now and then I will find a feather laying randomly on my back patio or I step over a fluffy white one hidden partially in the grass as I walk around the park. I also see them as earrings hanging from racks in the little gift shop or I see them in a photo used as a quill for some writer who has dipped its end into a jar of ink. Some believe that when they see a feather, it is from the wing of an angel left for us to find and remind us of heavenly deities. Feathers adorn the headdresses of dancers and are displayed in living color on the singing birds of the world from the foilage of the Amazon rainforest to the canaries in metal cages. Even as I look up to the clouds, I see shapes of feathers.

Indigenous elders will tell you that the feather needs to be looked at closely as there is much wisdom to be found. The spine represents your life’s road. Everyone knows that the feather is thicker at one end and thins toward the end. Isn’t this true of our lives? We are strong and hungry for knowledge, but as we grow we lose our innocence and become concerned with other things like a job, relationships and the world around us. Our foundational knowledge is there and with us, becoming more honed as we age.

There are hundreds of filaments that adorn the sides of the spine. This represents the teachings, the lessons and the experiences we accumulate along our journey and gather to become the person we are. An eagle’s feather has particular significance because the eagle’s feathers enable him to fly above and see a long way. As humans, we too can reflect on our lives and see the bigger picture and soar above into a full life of opportunity.

Psalm 91: verses 1-7 make reference to feathers.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.

May you find refuge not regret; faith not fear; patience not pestilence and peace not plague. Soar above the problems of today and be safe in the shadow of His wings.