First Saturday in Advent: Healing

The day before Thanksgiving, I woke up with a cold. I started taking zinc and echinacea and drinking lots of water, and tried to not share the cold.

I never felt terrible, but as is the case with colds, I was slowed down. A week later, now in New Mexico, I still had symptoms and the high altitude and dry air didn’t help.

I always seem to be seeking some sort of healing, if not body, then mind and/or spirit, during my Advent retreat. I was right on task.

I’ve been mindful of the slow healing process of this cold–a small bit better everyday. I’ve been mindful of all the pieces of this healing process

People have prayed and I am so grateful for those kind prayers. Healing.

I’ve had times of silence and rest. Healing.

I had a wonderful massage, and Bonnie did all sorts of healing touch that did wonders with my breathing. Healing.

Yesterday I took one of my favorite hikes that leads to a spacious overlook of the Rio Grande Gorge. Though I found myself feeling a bit winded from time to time, the beauty was worth every step.

Afterwards, as I sat with a cappuccino and pumpkin shortbread in front of a fire in a gallery that housed a local weaving exhibit, I realized how much better I felt after taking those sometimes challenging steps. They, too, had also been part of the healing process.

I’m still getting the last symptoms expunged. Step by step. Prayer by prayer. Resting and waiting. Sometimes challenging.

I pray the same for all seeking healing. Step by step. Prayer by prayer. Resting and waiting. Sometimes challenging. AMEN

First Friday in Advent: Worship

As a person paid to lead worship, I’ve thought an awful lot about what worship means. At the heart of worship, for me, is that it’s all about God. Worship has a sense of intentionality and presence.

Every morning of the Advent retreat begins with enjoying the wonder of the day’s unique gift of sunrise.

A moment to give thanks to God. Worship.

My friend builds a fire, and on the couch before the hearth, we sit mainly in silence with our coffee, reading, writing, photographing, pondering, praying. Worship.

One of the biggest decisions to be made on the Advent retreat is where worship in community will occur. It should be a given: whatever Episcopal Church is closest, but for some reason, having this rare opportunity for choice makes it a place for me to reflect on what worship is, and not being alone, my friend’s thoughts are part of the conversation, too.

Being intimately involved in all the twists and turns of the Church, I am aware what an imperfect vessel we the Church are. It, frankly, can be a distraction. I am thankful to be reminded this cold Advent morning that worship is not about me, ever, but always about God.

For today, I will think on Psalm 96. I will worship God in the beauty of holiness and, for now, that is enough.

First Thursday in Advent: Repent

After lunch in Chimayo yesterday, I went to the Santuario de Chimayo to pray for the ever so many people I carry in my heart. It’s a strange place full of images of dying, bloodied Jesuses. I wonder what spirituality finds consolation in that? Yet, amidst, for me, the visually uncomfortable space, the air is thick with prayer. I was still and with God.

The drive up the High Road to Taos was as stunning as always, with drifts of leftover snow along the way. Having sat with God, I was keenly aware of a couple of important matters that I had left undone, not because I was too busy but clearly because of sloth. I wanted to talk to my friend about this, but was hesitant. I’m not sure why. Finding the small courage to confess, I was able to be energized to do those things I’d left undone.

This morning, as I received some lovely responses to doing those things that had been left undone, I was struck by the Society of St. John the Evangelist word of the day: repent.

Repentance:The power God offers of turning a corner, changing direction, to walk with God, rather than in disharmony.

It’s like cinnamon toast and coffee enjoyed in front of a roaring fire.

Advent. New Mexico

For twenty years, my best friend, who lives in Georgia, and I meet in New Mexico for an Advent retreat. Over the years it has evolved into a lovely rest with a base of play, quiet, hikes, coffee and food, and visits with friends. Then there are the yearly surprises.

I flew after work yesterday so I arrived in the dark. A quick dinner in Albuquerque fortified us for the hour drive in the dark to Santa Fe for the night.

One of my favorite Advent sights are the lights of the Plaza in Santa Fe and the farolitas. These lights always fill me with joy–a reminder of the joy-filled Light of Christ.

Today I’m up early to blue sky and twenty degree cold. Filled with local roast coffee and green chile white cheddar bagel, I’m off soon to Chimayo to meet a friend for lunch and then prayers at the Santuario de Chimayo. I’ll have my eyes open for the Light.