J and I jogged this morning in one of my favorite ways: exploring. We took a new path, ran around a *possibly* abandoned retreat area and ended the run at a new breakfast spot we had wanted to try. At the retreat center, I ran the small labyrinth they had (a first), then took a moment to pray in the center before running back out. The eatery (breakfastery?) celebrated sisters and decorated walls with pictures of sisters who visited. We ambled back bellies full of eggs, beignets and coffee. The middle of the day kept us busy with our various responsibilities.
We spent the evening around a small public fire pit and another couple ended up sitting with us. We heard tales of romance, heartache, resignation and dedication and shared a few of our own. Now, J is playing an Irish melody in drop D tuning, and I write. I love days which flow from one adventure to the next and our world expands while dreams dance on the horizon.
I find it difficult to enter into this kind of space as often as I would like. Taking a new path, having time to dawdle, sharing it with J nourishes me. These will be my consolations today.* The goal, according to Sleeping with Bread, is to incorporate more consolations into life, so a net sum of joy fills our days. The joy becomes the avenue of God's love and grace to us and, by proxy, those around us.
The book's premise reminds me of when I lived in Berkeley and one of the graduate students at First Pres studied Russian Literature. She said while she thought her father would frown on her choice of study, he surprised her by saying, "We need more people in the world who love what they do. If what you love is Russian Literature, go for it." Her words refreshed me when she related them, and they still do in the recounting.
May you find your consolations filling your cup to overflowing.
*Don't know what I mean by consolation? I talk about it here.
PRACTICE
Lectio Divina: Read the following passage through after a few deep breaths and pay attention to any word or phrase which sticks out for you. Read through again and pay attention to anything further you notice about the word/phrase and how it applies to you. Read through again and spend time in prayer with the word/phrase asking God what you need to understand/know/do with the word/phrase (i.e., How might God be guiding you? What needs your further action? Where may your understanding need to be changed or expanded? How may this impact your relationship with someone else?). End with a time of thanksgiving.
Luke 6: 32-38, NRSV
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
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