New Light

I love learning. Since childhood, I have loved exploring, whether in a museum, a library or the yard. I love listening. I love hearing new perspectives, stories and music. I’m thankful that every time I hear or see something, whether it’s been around for years, there is always something new to discover. I think this is one of the reasons I am so drawn to liturgical seasons and celebrations. There is always so much more to learn. The readings follow a cycle that allows us to revisit them time and time again.

This Sunday, the second Sunday in Advent, the Gospel was of John’s voice calling to us from the wilderness in Luke 3:1-6. For many years, I’ve heard the different versions of John’s ministry. I know this was certainly not the first time I’ve read Luke’s version, but it was the first time in my now many years that I realized what the repetition of the prophet Isaiah’s words were asking of me. Here’s verses 3:3-6.

3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

    make his paths straight.

5 

Every valley shall be filled,

    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

    and the rough ways made smooth;

6 

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

I’ve always read this as Jesus would be the one filling the valleys, making the mountains low and those crooked paths straight once He arrived. This year, it finally dawned on me that John was not telling us what Jesus would do but was instead calling us to prepare the way for Jesus in our own lives. We are being asked to fill those valleys, to level all those hills and mountains and no matter how hard it may be to straighten our paths and make the rough ways smooth.

I’m so glad I was surrounded by friends when I came to this realization, friends who empathize with me in how hard these statements are to fulfill. Our eyes, ears and hearts were all open to this old yet new idea. How wonderful again to have such a lovely reminder that within the challenges of life there is a great gift awaiting us in our efforts to keep straight the path and to recognize life’s highs and lows by staying balanced. I am grateful for the new light shed on this reading and yet another opportunity to feel God’s redeeming grace. I hope you find comfort and joy this Advent, too, and time and time again. I know the road gets crooked sometimes; just remember, there will always be a voice in the wilderness crying out to you.

With love and light,

LT

Three Little Monkeys

I’ve noticed as of late how disturbing and loud the negative voices have been made around me through social media, television and other news outlets. I’m shocked by the unkindness and anger being shown. The lack of respect being given for differences of opinions. The violence being taken in the name of one religion or another. It is a heavy overwhelming feeling.

As a video image popped upon my computer screen today of a man yelling at another and egged on by supporters as the insulted man hung his head at a loss, an image from childhood popped into my head: monkeys, three of them.

When I was a little girl, I loved visiting my nana and granddaddy’s home in Dumas, Arkansas. It had all kinds of nooks and crannies, rooms and levels for exploring and fascinating furniture and décor. It was so very different from my own home, I didn’t want to miss anything so I spent hours taking it all in. I walked in circles around the place, got on my hands and knees to look under things and climbed into boxes and furniture to get a better view. During one such roll about on the green shag carpet in my nana and granddaddy’s television room, I noticed a curious statue in between the levels of the heavy wooden octagon coffee table. It was a greenish brass color and depicted three monkeys in a row. One monkey had its hands over its ears, the next monkey had its hands over its eyes and the next monkey had its hands over its mouth.

Not daring to move the monkeys or to disturb my grandparents’ show, I stared at it intently. Days ticked by during my trip to Dumas, and I kept returning to this interesting little statue. One afternoon, while my granddaddy read the newspaper, I finally asked him about the little monkeys. He lowered his paper, cocked his head to the side and adjusted his glasses to get a better look and said, “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil.” The sun was streaming through the windows that lined each wall of the room. The light next to my granddaddy lit both the paper and him up. My heart beat a little faster. He went back to reading.

As much as Advent is considered an anticipatory season of hope, it is also a time of penitence and reflection. As of late, I’ve found myself wishing my heart and mind were a little more centered. I’ve found myself a little uncomfortable with my own thoughts and wondering how or why I’ve said and done or not done certain things. I’ve been pondering all of this in my heart and considered what I can do to make a change.

I find myself wanting to remember the words of my grandfather and the wisdom of those three little monkeys. I don’t want to give power to evil by hearing, seeing or speaking it. I know I can do better and will feel better for it.

Hear No Evil

See No Evil

Speak No Evil

With love and light,

LT

Light Over Darkness

Just when you think times can’t get darker, in comes the season of light. When your mind has turned all night, the sun begins to rise. It’s another day. You don’t know what direction to turn and suddenly a kind word of wisdom points the way.

Today marked the first day of Advent leading to the celebration of Christmas. Candles were lit around the world encouraging thoughtful and prayerful opening of hearts and minds to the way that love can change the world. I can’t think of better timing!

I certainly could use Advent and its wonderful time for reflection and preparation and its powerful reminders of comfort and joy to be found in the story of a child born in a manger and his short time among us on Earth.

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  (Luke 21:25-28)

What a lovely invitation continues to be extended to us year after year. We may have to wait for Christmas Day, but we never have to wait for its gift to us. We don’t have to wait for a special day, for a year, for an hour or even another minute. We just have to be willing to accept the invitation for a better life, a life of light.

“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility...” (From A Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, pg. 211)

Take comfort in the fact that darkness, no matter how dark it may be, will never win against the light. Take it into your heart and feel its strength and share it with others. With light and love you can change your world and the world of others for better.  

As we enter Advent, I am reminded of the other wonderful celebrations of light from around the world, especially our Hindu friends who just celebrated Diwali. A wonderful five-day festival, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness. Our Jewish friends celebration of Hanukkah begins soon as well, reminding us that there will always be enough oil to light the sacred lamp.

We have everything we need, my friends. Take a look at what may be keeping you in the dark and do what you need to do to let the light show you the way. Listen to those loving words of kindness from friends and family. Find the support of community. Read, pray, meditate, exercise, rest. Take time for yourself and do more for others. Make room for the light; it will give you life.

With love and light,

LT

A Soft Spot for Lent

I have a soft spot for Lent. Not only does my church, Calvary Episcopal Church, do Lent like no other with the Lenten Series and Waffle Shop, Lent has been a significant game changer in my life, as I know it was for Jesus, too.

Do you know about Lent? In Christian communities, it’s often a time in which the readings about Jesus living into His ministry are read and discussed. For forty days and nights (the same number that Jesus spent in the wilderness) churches around the world reflect on Jesus’ life as it leads towards the cross and ultimately our salvation at the cross. Too much? Take a step back and let me share a story.

I grew up in a church that followed liturgical seasons. You’re probably familiar with them, too, regardless of your religious practice (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent, etc., etc., etc.). You get it. Each season has a significant focus on the life of Jesus and the Christian faith, and each season includes a series of readings from the Bible so that throughout the year, participants in liturgical services end up hearing a significant account of Jesus’ life as well as readings from the Old Testament (the first part of the Bible) leading up to His life. It’s pretty amazing how in depth the study can be and how much of the Bible is actually read through this practice.

I grew up hearing all of these readings and following cycle after cycle of seasons, year after year, but in my early 30’s, Lent made a significant impact. It was one of those major hill climbs on my spiritual journey. And when I say hill, I mean reaching towards the peak.

I was a youngish wife and mother of two, working hard both professionally and in trying to live out God’s call for me to do good or share my gifts or whatever it was that I still hadn’t totally figured out. Feeling a strong pull towards something different, towards something that might help others, I left my job of eight years, a job with great meaning, a place with beloved colleagues and a ministry in itself. It was not without a lot of prayer that I made this leap of faith towards something new.

It was only weeks into my decision that I started to wonder if I had misunderstood what I felt strongly as a calling. I was confused and hurt. I could not understand how the positive and powerful spiritual pull I had felt had lead to something so painful and difficult. I prayed. I prayed hard. I called upon friends. I asked for help and guidance.

Eventually, a thought settled on me. In my new career, I no longer felt as if I was using my gifts and talents to serve others, something important to me in both my profession and ministry. I decided if I was not using them in my professional work, I would need to make sure I was using them elsewhere.

I called upon a local church to see if I might offer my services. Although my confidence was badly bruised from my current predicament, I knew I had a lot of experience to offer as a communications specialist as well as a lay-leader bible study facilitator. I offered to help facilitate a bible study at their church as well as to help coordinate their communications volunteers. The bible study was to start the Thursday before the first Sunday of Lent and a volunteer organizing meeting would happen a few weeks later.

The readings during that Lent were cathartic. Interestingly enough, they are very similar year to year. As I studied the main gospel lesson with the several women who gathered on Thursdays that Lent, I found myself healing. I found myself strengthening. I realized that just as Jesus was tempted in the desert, I was finding myself tested. I realized that I too had the strength inside me to resist that temptation and that I wasn’t going to put a bushel over my head any longer.

I made a decision to make a change. Interestingly enough, just as I closed the door on the oppression I was experiencing, God opened a window. To this day, it remains one of the most amazing moments of answered prayer in my life. After several weeks of Lenten bible study, being guided to and surviving the wilderness and walking the ministry of Jesus towards Jerusalem, I stood before a group of volunteers wanting to learn more about how they could help share the message of their church. After the gathering, a kind man walked up to me and asked me if I was happy with my current employment. I answered him honestly and said, “no.” The window opened. The job of my dreams awaited me, one I knew would make the difference I was praying for.

When I walked away from the church building that night, I opened the doors to the outdoors and the trumpets of angels were blaring. It was the local train coming through blowing it’s horn, but the timing could not have been more perfect for angels’ trumpets, and it will forever be angels’ trumpets blaring through that night that awaiting me as I walked in a new direction towards light out of darkness.

Ah Lent, it does have a soft spot in my heart. It is not easy. It is challenging, but it is oh so worth it, for Easter and resurrection is coming, my friend. There is always a way out of the darkness. We just have to find the path. We have to be willing to make the study, to open our eyes, our ears, our minds, our hearts to the possibility that there is another way and that God wants to lead us there.

I also want to note that there was great purpose in that trying time before the angels’ trumpets blared. I will forever be thankful for each and every person that crossed my path during that time and the lessons learned from each of them. Without that experience, I would not have been prepared for the new path before me.

I wish you the most blessed and thoughtful Lent. I hope that angels blare their trumpets for you. Just know that you might have to do a little homework to hear them.

In 2014, Lent will begin March 4 and continue through April 17. You don’t have to wait to start attuning your ears, hearts, eyes and minds.

With love and light,

LT

Our Finest Gifts We Bring

Just weeks ago, people across the country gathered to share meals of thanksgiving. As dinner plates were emptied, people took time to reflect on how their lives had been filled. They were thankful for family, friends, a meal, second chances, forgiveness, health, roofs overhead and more.

I wonder though, besides general thanksgiving, how many people went really deep and gave thanks for those unique talents and gifts that make them each special as individuals? Were you thankful for what makes you uniquely you? I must admit, I didn’t take much time to be thankful for me that day.

On the following Sunday, people around the world entered another sacred season, the season of Advent, preparing to celebrate the gift of Jesus at Christmastime. Lights and decorations began popping up all over town reminding those who might not be paying attention to take notice. Radio stations started their 24-7 compilations of Christmas tunes to help people catch the Spirit.

One of my favorite of those Christmas tunes since childhood has been The Drummer Boy. Something about the steadiness of the prumpth, prumpth, prumpth beat reminds me to keep moving forward. I’m keenly aware of the way that rhythm beats like life itself, certainly leading us towards something, someone sacred. As a child, I remember feeling a sense of invitation to march and sing along. Yes, I, too, was worthy of appearing before the Christ Child, and perhaps, I had something just as special as the drummer boy to set before the King.

As an adult, I love reflecting on the fact that the little drummer boy confidently played his drum. He recognized that this was his gift to give and joyfully played before the newborn king. I imagine his heart was full in that moment. I like (I LOVE) the fact that the drummer does his best and brings what he has, the beat of his drum…what a glorious gift! It’s not complicated. It’s his gift.

I’m thankful to Godvine.com for recently sharing a wonderful acapella version of this song by Pentatonix to usher in Advent. Although I was unsure of the arrangement at first, it grew on me, and it had me reflecting differently in light of our recent Thanksgiving holiday. Suddenly, I found myself wondering, what am I bringing to the Christ Child? How am I living my life as a gift and in thanks for Him? Have I confidently embraced my gifts and talents and set them before the King and others (as He asked me, too).

I challenge you to really give this some thought. What are your unique gifts? Are you using them? Let me ask you a tougher one…are you sure you are using your gifts and not trying to channel someone else’s (i.e. be someone you're not)? You’ll be able to tell whether it’s a gift or not because it will feed you as you use it. You have something special to bring, I promise. Just bring it!

And during this special season, do take some time to listen to the prumpth, prumpth, prumpth calling you. Here's Pentatonix's version to inspire you...

With love and light,

LT