Meditations written by Heidi Gainan, a member of the Idaho Falls Catholic Community. Contact info below.

September 7, 2010

"Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spentthe night in prayer to God. When day came, he calledhis disciples to himself, and from them he choseTwelve, whom he also named Apostles."

Luke 6:12-13

Jesus spent the WHOLE night in prayer and then he came up with these Twelve? These Twelve, who include a taxcollector (Matthew), a doubter (Thomas), a couple of hotheads (James and John, the "Sons of Thunder"), Peter, who often seemed to speak without engaging his brain first, a couple fellows who were fairly quiet, like James the Less and Jude, and one guy who later betrayed him. This after praying all night? One could look at that and come up with one of two answers: either Jesus' prayers weren't answered at all orJesus' prayers were answered perfectly, just not the way WE may have done it. That is the way with answered prayer all the time isn't it? It may be answered perfectly, but it doesn't seem like it because we wanted things to happen differently. But God knows what He's doing.There is a good book called "The Twelve" by Leslie Flynn, which tells as much as scripture has told us about the men Jesus chose to be his Twelve. The message of the book is that these were ordinary guys...ordinary, that is, until their lives were drastically changed by Jesus and later, the Holy Spirit. Same with us...we may be ordinary, but when our lives are touched by Jesus and the Holy Spirit we can do amazing things...just like the tax collector, the doubter, the hotheads, the quiet ones...you get the idea. Love, heidi

September 3, 2010

"Go to the ant, O Sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom; for though she has no chief, no commander or ruler, she procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest."

Proverbs 6:6

This weekend we celebrate Labor Day, a day traditionally set aside to honor workers. It seems to have taken on a new meaning in recent years as jobs become dearer and we don't just celebrate the worker but the jobs themselves. Our work is not separate from our devotion to God, but should be an extension of devotion. God gives us our abilities and hopes that we will use them wisely, honestly, and for the good of others. That certainly can be in the work we do. Today as we watch the clock S-L-O-W-L-Y inch toward a three-day weekend, let's consider the ant and work hard! Let's consider how our devotion to God can be manifested in our work for others! Blessings on your weekend! Stay safe and enjoy! Love, heidi

September 2, 2010

"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Luke 5:8

At Jesus' direction, Peter had just put his nets in the water and come up with a ton of fish. He realized that there was something about Jesus that was way beyond his comprehension and, in that, his unworthiness to take part. "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." It reminds me of a reader board at a church I saw the other day...it said,"Welcome! You are not too bad to come in or too good to stay out!" There is a misconception (and Peter shared it) that we are just too sinful or bad to be around Jesus. But in reality, Jesus came for the sinners--or all of us. How often Jesus said that those who are well do not need a doctor! Jesus knows our sinfulness better than we do and yet, He loves us anyway. God's mercy is vast and incomprehensible to us, but yet, it is so present in the Gospels. Let's turn Peter's phrase around today and make our prayer, "Come to me, Lord, and heal my sinfulness..." Love, heidi

September 1, 2010

"Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust."

Psalm 33:20-21

We turn another page of the calendar today and wonder, "Where did the summer go?" It sounds so old to question the rapid passage of time, but criminy--where did the summer go? It seems that all we can do is hang on as we fly through the year! Today, let's try to pause and bask in the love of God--who is indeed our help and our shield. As fast as time seems to go we are still a waiting people; a people whose soul waits for the Lord. Our days, weeks and months are but a blip in the universe of God's immense plan for us. It's just too big for us to grasp so we just need to take a deep breath and trust in God's holy name. Amen and happy September! Love, heidi

August 31, 2010

"Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Be a center for Jesus Christ to pour living water through. Stop being self-conscious, stop being a sanctified prig, and live the life hid with Christ."

Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"

Talk about getting it right between the eyes this morning! I especially like the part about not being self-conscious. (OK, I like the word "prig" too, I confess). But seriously, how often have thoughts about what others will think of us influenced our behavior? How often do we stop ourselves from doing something we feel the nudge from God to do because of self-consciousness? Oswald Chambers is all about being right with God and the rest of our lives will fall into place automatically. The quandaries of everyday life will stop being so tough to figure out if we just rest our head against Jesus' breast first. Good advice for us! Love, heidi

August 30, 2010

"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 14:11

We heard a wonderful homily on humility yesterday and it really got me thinking. We heard that humility is us using the gifts God gives to us for the betterment of others. Check. It got me wondering about false humility. Is it false humility when we are asked to do something and we doubt our abilities and stick our hands in our pockets and say, "Oh I couldn't possibly do that...I don't have the skills or abilities!" We are actually denying gifts that God has placed in us but we haven't even found them yet! We are also denying that God can work in us--giving us the skill or ability to accompany our desire to do His will. It's the desire to do God's will that really allows the rubber to meet the road, isn't it? We may not have all it takes that moment, but in trust and faith, we step out and allow God to help us get it done. We are so gifted by God and it is a shame we aren't more cognizant of it. Today, let's be aware of how gifted we are and how much God wants to pour out His gifts to us...not for our own edification, but for the betterment of others. Love, heidi

August 27, 2010

"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."

Proverbs 31:29

Today is the feast of St. Monica, the saint for anyone who has ever had a hand in raising a child. She was persistent in prayer for years and years for her son, St. Augustine, who didn't start out quite as good as he ended up. He led a rough and tumble life, and his mother spent her life on her knees in prayer for him. Finally her prayers were rewarded; her son turned to God and became the man she hoped and prayed he would be. Our jobs as mothers are to raise our children to be the best they can be, too. It can be so difficult because, in truth, we have them such a short time. Our influence on them seems like such a tiny blip in time compared to all the other influences. And so, we pray. Whether you gave birth to them, are raising them, whether you are teaching them or simply babysitting them, let us be persistent in prayer for the children in our care. It may seem like a small thing, but it is not--it can bring about miracles! Love, heidi

August 26, 2010

"You are not lacking in any spiritual gift."

1 Corinthians 1:7

We tend to call ourselves up short in the gifts department. We think that we need more of this and that before we can reach our goals and potential but here is St. Paul, telling us we already have what we need! Could it be that our belief that we aren't quite ready is more of a delay tactic? We say, well I'd love to help with that, I will pray for more leadership abilities. Or, maybe someday I will be ready to do that, but I don't have what-it-takes yet! Remember the old expression, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called?" St. Paul is telling us we can't use our own weakness as an excuse anymore (Rats!) We must pull up our skirts and forge ahead with whatever it is God is calling us to do. Today let's think about the gifts we have received in such abundance and celebrate those gifts by USING them! The greatest gift we can give back to God is using our gifts to serve Him! Love, heidi

August 24, 2010

"But Nathaniel said to him, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'"

John 1:46

I wonder if this was one of those times when a guy wishes he could have his words back. You know the situation: someone says something to you and you respond without engaging the clutch on your mouth and you regret what you say immediately. But the words are out there--in space--heard by all those around you and you can't shove them back into your mouth. Philip had just found Nathaniel and told him they think they have found the Christ, the Promised of Israel...Jesus of Nazareth. Nathaniel cracks back, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Ouch. Nathaniel does two things we all do: 1) Saying something cheeky without thinking and 2) Prejudging someone based on the little we know of them. Today, let's use this scripture as a reminder to be kind in thought, word and deed, and also not to judge others. If we read on, we will see that Nathaniel redeemed himself later on when he actually meets Jesus, which is also a lesson for us. Love, heidi

August 20, 2010

"He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life?"

Ezekiel 37:3

I love the dry bones image of Ezekiel! It reads like a B movie, with the bones laying all around the plain, and then, miraculously, coming alive; "rattling together" (v. 7). What an awesome image! But that isn't the REAL miracle! The real miracle is God breathing the spirit into the dry, rattling bones and bringing them to life. See, it's not enough that we are simply rattling around here on earth. We can rattle around from birth to death, but we are not truly alive without the spirit of God. And then, Ezekiel likening the dry bones to the house of Israel--how beautiful a parallel! It told the people that no matter how dead you are inside, no matter how far "gone" you are, God can still bring you back to life. How reassuring for us too. No matter how far afield we can fling, God can breathe life into us! Awesome! Summer weekends are dwindling away...enjoy yours! Love, heidi

August 19, 2010

"I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts."

Ezekiel 36:26

We've heard the expression "my heart melted" or it "just touched my heart," haven't we? God can just reach in and touch our hearts causing us to feel compassion and love for others and such a wonderful gift is that! God can and does change our hearts, but He surely doesn't do it against our will. We have to want God to turn our stony hearts into real, natural hearts. That is why I love Psalm 51...David's lament about his need for a clean, new heart. "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me..." (Psalm 51) When we come to God asking, begging as David is here, for our hearts to be changed, opened, softened, touched...God will eagerly oblige. We will be surprised at the newness of our hearts and the compassion we feel for others. Love, heidi

August 18, 2010

"God has not created a world of walls where the sacred and ordinary are nicely separated. Rather, God has invested the wonder of the divine presence into all of creation. God is indeed among us."

Fr. Ed Hays, "A Pilgrim's Almanac"

This was never so clear to me as a late summer evening many years ago. Our nearly grown kids were all home, and before Jeni headed back to college, we went to the Fair. We had a great time of it, enjoying the Fair food, barns, each other and I was driving us home. I took the frontage road and the sun was just setting over the farmers' fields. The kids were all asleep in the car; a tired, but happy state of being. I briefly thought if I hurried home I could get to Adoration at church before it ended. But, just as quickly, the thought was replaced by the beauty around me that second...the setting sun, the beautiful rich fields-nearly bursting with harvest, the loves of my life asleep in the car. Adoration is occurring right here in this Dodge Neon, I thought to myself. Jesus, I adore you for giving me this amazing life! God infused the ordinary moment with His divine presence, right then, right there. Love, heidi

PS: The day I have dreaded all summer is here and Sam leaves for college in the little white pick up...let's pray today for all those returning to school, traveling, changing lives and beginning new adventures. May the Lord bless all of our comings and goings...Amen!

August 16, 2010

If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Matthew 19:21

Jesus' words to the rich young man give us pause every time we hear them. Because we have so much. We look around our lives and think, "What could I get rid of? Not that, I just bought that. Certainly not that!" What Jesus wants us to do is free up our hearts, not so much clean out our closets, although if our hearts are in our closets, than Jesus wants us to clean out our closets too. Jesus wants our hearts....pure and simple. Whatever binds us here and takes up too much of our time and energy--that is what we need to let go in order to really follow Jesus. What is it for us? Are we bound by a relationship that needs healing? Can we let go of past hurts and personal failings? Love God and love each other, Jesus told us. What is binding us that keeps us from those two commandments? It may be our material possessions or it may be something else. Personally, I think getting rid of material possessions would be the easier "fix." Love, heidi

August 13, 2010

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13

Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who completely lived this scripture to his very last breath. Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan priest who did many great works as a priest, but his final days on earth were a living example of selfless love. He was arrested by the Nazis and placed in Auschwitz concentration camp. One prisoner at the camp escaped and, as a punishment, ten men were picked to be executed. One man was a young father and Fr. Maximilian Kolbe stepped forward and offered to give his life instead of the young father. He died a slow, painful death of starvation, until finally, his death was hastened by the Nazis. He was the last of the ten to die and, as the other nine died ahead of him, he encouraged them and comforted them. We may not be called on to actually give our very lives for another person, but we can certainly can give up our negative thoughts, or criticisms, or harsh judgements for the betterment of our brothers and sisters, can't we? Let's try that this weekend! Love, heidi

August 12,2010

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.'"

Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus wants us to forgive each other because it is the right thing to do to forgive and heal the relationship. But also, it is so much healthier for us as human beings. Holding grudges is so debilitating for us! It takes so much of our energy and effort to maintain negativity toward another person, when that energy could be better spent elsewhere. It is hard on us physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, you name it. Jesus knows this so well and tells Peter that there should be no end to our forgiving. Let's consider today what is hurting our hearts. What nagging grudges are we holding against someone else? What can we do to bury those grudges and forgive? The heart we heal will certainly be our own...maybe even literally! Love, heidi

August 11, 2010

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20

There are so many benefits to praying with and for others! This scripture gives us the first one, but there are others too. In my many years of meeting regularly with a prayer group, I have found that sharing the lives and prayer concerns of others builds relationship and community. Praying for others helps us tear down walls that separate us and creates intimate community between us. Our lives intertwine because of shared prayer and that is evidence that Jesus is there in our midst. In sharing our prayer concerns with others we share our hearts; not easy to do, but opening our hearts to others is just what Jesus wants us to do. Today gather with one or two others and maybe talk about this scripture. Jesus is there in the midst of us when we share with another and what better company to keep? Love, heidi

August 9, 2010

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

Over the weekend, I was blessed to attend a celebration that had BOTH a baby and a puppy! The puppy was eleven weeks old and the baby only eleven DAYS old! The puppy out-sized the baby by quite a bit but they were both incredible. I marveled at the baby's tiny fingers and toes and the puppy's over-sized, floppy ears. When both were asleep in human's arms, I got teary. In this crazy, sometimes difficult world, we need to see babies and puppies to remind us of how beautifully and wonderfully made we are by our Creator. I believe a baby is the perfect sign of hope in our world. A baby says that God is still at work creating...those tiny, perfect fingers and toes. And what do puppies teach us? When they dissolve comfortably into your arms, it's just like us being cradled by God. Love, heidi

August 6, 2010

"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the LORD answered me, Say not, "'I am too young.'"

 Jeremiah 1:6-7

The other night, I sat around our little fire pit in the backyard with Sam's friends, playing praise and worship songs. It was so moving to me because, even at my age, or especially at my age, I have learned that there is so much more I need to learn...and a lot of it I can learn it from these kids. Their faith and spirituality are so beautiful and that is such an amazing lesson to learn from our kids. Sometimes we adults can get so caught up in life that the zeal of young faith seems long ago. I remember singing guitar masses on Wednesday nights at Billings Central in the library because the chapel was too small for the number of people who showed up. On a Wednesday night. Our faith was vibrant and youthful and strong and I remember my dad, who would come to the masses, marveling at it. Our praise songs rang forth and went on for many, many verses! I wonder if Dad felt the way I do about these kids...that their rich faith will carry them through difficult times and joyful times and multiply through their lives. And someday, they will learn even more about faith listening to their own children singing and praising God. Love, heidi

August 5, 2010

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."

John 3:16

I rolled over in the middle of the night and the digital clock said, 3:16. I immediately thought of this scripture and quoted it to myself in my head. (I wonder if I'm getting stranger by the day or if it's a slower progression?) The fact is, I need a dose of John 3:16 right about now. My co worker's last day at the office was yesterday...he's going back to school to get an advanced degree. And Sam just got her last work schedule for the summer and will soon be returning to Boise State for Year Two. Changes. Lots of changes and I'm not really fond of change. What does God do for us when events and life force us into changes? He reminds us of the REAL thing...the fact that he sent his Son to give us life eternally. This world and all we experience in it are just a blip in the Eternal that awaits us. It is reassuring to know that there is something that will last....eternity with God. In the meantime, we are reassured to know that God blesses our comings and goings and those of our loved ones! Love, heidi

August 4, 2010

"I will turn their mourning into joy. I will console and gladden them after their sorrows."

Jeremiah 31:13

Haven't we seen this happen in our lives? Many times? We may recognize the sadness and turn to God in our pain, but do we recognize God in the joy? We may get so caught up in the joy that thoughts of God may not be first in our minds. But, looking back, we can see our mourning turning to joy...and we see God in the joy. One day our hearts are so heavy, time passes, things change; the next thing we know we are dancing in the grass. Fr. Richard Rohr calls our suffering our "homework" and says that God doesn't do our homework for us, but we must do it ourselves (Radical Grace). And in the doing of our homework, we become the lovers we are meant to be. I would add that as we do our homework God is there cheering us on and is ever ready to embrace us as we work on it. Love, heidi

August 3, 2010

"Peter said to him in reply, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He (Jesus) said, 'Come.'"

Matthew 14:28-29

I remember a time when Jesus beckoned me out of the boat and onto the water. I was so young, twenty, and was heading off to work at a camp for blind people across the country. I didn't know anyone there, had only talked to the camp director on the phone, and yet, off I went, into the wild as it seemed. I was terrified. I remember reading this scripture, though, and realizing I was being called out of my comfy little boat to walk on the water of new adventure. It was a hugely successful summer for me! I met wonderful people, had a great time and importantly, it put me on a career path and was key to getting me into graduate school. Little did I know when I stepped out onto the water that this beckoning would have such a ripple effect on my life. Today, we may be called out onto the water. We may be called to reconnect with a friend, or forgive someone, or ask for forgiveness from someone. We may be called to make a decision that is scary or difficult. Stepping out of the boat may be scary, but yet, it may have lifelong implications for us. And reaching out to us is Jesus, whose hand is there to catch us if we wobble. Love, heidi

August 2, 2010

"Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions."

Luke 12:15

In looking at this closely it seems that merely being rich is not the sin, but the sin in this story is greed. So, it isn't so much what we have but the importance we put on what we have and what we do with our treasure. Frankly, the more stuff we have the more we worry about it, take care of it and protect it. It takes time and effort to tear down barns and built bigger barns. Time that may be better spent nourishing relationships and sharing our wealth with others. Our real wealth is in family, friends and loved ones, not the wealth we can pack away into our barns. How can we spend time and energy on true wealth and not just "stuff" wealth? Love, heidi

July 28, 2010

"I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased."

Jeremiah 18:3-4

You've heard the old joke, "How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?" And the answer: "Just one, but the light bulb has to WANT to change." Here in the case of the clay and the potter, I wonder if the clay has to WANT to change in order to turn out better in the potter's hands. God is the potter, we are the clay. God can mold us and fashion us, just as the song says, but we need to have pliability in the potter's hands. We need to be able to be molded and shaped. If we are completely inflexible, the potter's job is a bit more difficult. Today, let's think of our pliability. Are we willing to let go of ourselves and let God mold and shape us? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and maybe go a bit farther for God? God may be asking us to do something difficult, can we get ourselves out of the way and do it? Love, heidi

July 27, 2010

"And let all who thirst, let them come to the water..."

Isaiah 55:1

At our retreat last weekend, we celebrated mass on the banks of Rock Creek on the day we also celebrated the earth element of water. It was about as close to heaven as one could get and still be on earth! There we were, the Body of Christ, coming to the water as here in Isaiah. There we were refreshed by the Living Body of Christ...the Eucharist. Incredible. Experiences like this can carry us through the desert times when refreshing water seems far away. At times when we thirst due to life's difficulties we can go to the Living Water and be refreshed. We don't need to necessarily go to a body of water, but it sure can help us to get to the ocean, creek, stream, or river. If possible today, let's go to the water...whatever is accessible to you, even if it is the sprinkler in the backyard. Let's go and think of the Living Water of Christ, ready to refresh and renew us! Love, heidi

July 26, 2010

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you."

Luke 11:9

A few weeks ago we sang a song at mass that touched me deeply..."In the Secret" by Mercy Me. Part of the lyrics say, "I want to know you, I want to hear your voice, I want to know you more. I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more..." (Mercy Me) I've sung the song for years, but this night at mass we sang it slowly and prayerfully and it touched my heart like never before. Because I realized I really wanted to know God more and see God's face and hear God's voice. In the prayerful singing of that song, that night, I was knocking at the door. And the door was opened wide for me this past weekend on my retreat in Montana. I don't think you need to go far away to an isolated place to open the door to God, but you may need to pull away from the world a bit. You need to journey, be it into your heart or into another state. You need to seek in order to find. And you need to ask the question to receive the answer. God doesn't force Himself on us, but if we seek, God showers us with gifts! Love, heidi

July 20, 2010

"Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever..."

Micah 7:18

The other day I was talking to an old friend who is in such a sad place. Her son committed suicide a year ago and she still suffers such guilt! It is so difficult trying to talk someone out of guilt, too. It is totally beyond our ability because guilt is so pervasive...it creeps into every cell of us like a cancer spreading. But, like Micah indicates here, God can remove all guilt and pardon sin....God does not hold a grudge! Why is it so hard for us to accept and internalize that? Because it seems too good to be true? Or because we just can't comprehend how completely different God is than we are. God's ways are not our ways...thank God! Today, let's think about the mercy and kindness of God...and perhaps, share that mercy and kindness with someone. Friends, I leave tomorrow for a three-day spiritual retreat at the Medicine Flower Lodge in Red Lodge, Montana. (I know, right? Nobody wake me up!) Blessings to you and I will be back with Dailys next week. Love, heidi

July 15, 2010

"My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you..."

Isaiah 26:9

Even though I don't like sleepless nights, I do like that I feel so close to God as I toss and turn. Maybe because it's quiet. Maybe because I feel desperate and vulnerable, trying to hard to make sleep happen, and yet it's beyond my control. Whatever it is, this scripture resonated with me today. I also like the idea that my soul is in tune with God separate from my own consciousness, my own will. I like the idea that my soul has its own relationship with God and sometimes I'm in on it, sometimes less so. I like to think that some part of me is tuned into God's wave-length constantly while I'm going about my day. Hopefully, none of us spent a sleepless night, unable to rest. But today, let's think about this scripture and our souls keeping vigil for God...our souls are at Home in God. Beautiful! Love, heidi

July 14, 2010

"I give praise to you, Father...for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."

Matthew 11:25

It is so hard to maintain a childlike awe of the universe when, as grown ups, we have to navigate the world. It's hard to get excited about big things when we get mired in the details of the little things. When exactly do we lose that sense of wonder we had as kids? Wonder-filled things happen to us as adults too! We see our children and grandchildren come into the world. We can get away to more far-reaching areas of nature--for example, I'd never seen the ocean as a kid, only after I grew up and got there on my own did I take in that magnificent sight. We can see and appreciate human interaction as adults; we see people caring for and helping each other. I guess sometimes we get bogged down by the negative side of the wonderful and it over shadows our childlikeness. Today, let's make a special point of looking at the positive of what we encounter. It would help if we could take a break from work and play outside for a little while! Let's do it! Love, heidi

July 12, 2010

"You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side..."

Psalm 23

I got lost in central Idaho the other day. The client's house I set out to find was several miles off the beaten path and I went as far on the dirt road as I could before I ran out of dirt road. But there was no client's house. There was no cell phone service. The road ended. I was done. I did what I tell my mobility students to do when they get lost--go to the last area that was familiar, which, for me, was a row of mailboxes on the last road the GPS could identify. I sat there for a few minutes, praying for something, anything that could get me to my destination. I turned around and here comes a white pickup truck, lumbering down the dirt road. "Are you Heidi?" the driver asked as he rolled down the window. "Oh yes!" I threw my arms out as if to hug this angel of a man who'd been sent by God. Turns out, it was the client's husband who'd seen me from afar in my faltering attempt to find their house. I thought about my adventure all the way home later. We all come upon times in our lives when the path gets murky, rutty, or just disappears for us. And what does God do? He sends someone to guide us back to the path. So, in my lost state in the middle of central Idaho, I had such a powerful God encounter! Let's not wait until we are hopelessly lost to seek God's guidance, however! We need God's help all along to stay on the path...love, heidi

July 9, 2010

"Thus says the Lord: Return O Israel, to the Lord, your God, you have collapsed through your guilt."

Hosea 14:2

Guilt really is a tricky thing. On one hand, a certain amount of guilt can keep us well-behaved. We need to be able to identify when we have done wrong and rectify it. A certain amount of guilt does that for us. On the other hand, an excessive guilt can paralyze us and render us unable to do anything...but wallow in our guilt. One example I thought of is the reaction of two men to their sin. Peter sinned against Jesus when he denied Jesus in the courtyard, just as Jesus predicted. Judas, of course, sinned against Jesus when he betrayed his friend to the authorities and instigated the events of Good Friday. Both men sinned and had guilt, but Peter did not succumb to his guilt. His heart was sorrowful and he was filled with remorse. But he stuck around until given the opportunity to say to Jesus, "I do love you." Judas' guilt swallowed him up and he could not believe he could ever be forgiven. He gave into the guilt and took his own life. We can learn so much from these two men about guilt. If our guilt gives us a wake-up call and prompts us to change and become better people, it serves a good purpose. If our guilt consumes us and we become all about how we have failed, it does not. Love, heidi

July 7, 2010

"(One of the) biblical descriptions of poverty is simplicity. People poor in this way are centered in chosen values instead of possessions."

Fr. Richard Rohr, "Radical Grace"

Ah, simplicity! I strive so for simplicity in my life and have made some strides toward simplicity, but still fall prey to the shiny thing from time to time. Or, more accurately, the cute and unusual clothing item. Simplicity is such an ideal for me and I know I talk about it here, but I wish I could put it more into practice! Fr. Rohr goes on to say, "Few things are needed or desired by the one who lives simply because life is centered on another level of value." What is it about things that we like? Well, we can see them and wear them and feel good about ourselves doing so. They are tangible and physical and hanging there in our closet. I guess we need to think about wearing our values and feeling good about them in a similar way. If we can make our values tangible and "wearable" and make them actions that make a difference we can live more simply and walk past the store window. How can we make what we believe and value more real today? Love,heidi

July 6, 2010

"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

Matthew 9:37-38

I used to think, when I was young and heard this scripture, that this was all about religious vocations. Like, the only "laborers" are those called to the religious life. Ha! Such a cop-out, that! The truth is, we are ALL laborers for God and we must be accountable for sharing in the work of the harvest. We all need to be working for God, no matter what earthly vocation we choose. As followers of Christ we must choose to share the great Gift that is Jesus in our lives. It would be oh so easy to take this scripture the way I used to and shrug and say, "Oh, I guess that's not about me..." and go on our merry way. But, the fact is, everyday we have opportunities to share our lives in Christ with others. Look around your day today and see how God is choosing YOU to labor for him. Love, heidi

July 2, 2010

"Jesus calls you and me to seek holiness--and the Reign of God--not so much in life's great and exceptional things, in miracles and wonders, as in the simple and daily objects and events of our lives."

Fr. Ed Hays, "A Pilgrim's Almanac"

As we approach the weekend of celebration of our country, a great and exceptional event to be sure, let's thank God for the simple and daily things and events that we may slide over in the gratitude department. When we thank God for the blessings of our country, it is the little things that touch us daily that we need to remember. Yes, we have the big and wonderful here, but we also have the simple and small that truly make us a great place to live. We have a treasure trove of elderly people, who can tell us amazing stories of their youth. Just the other day I met a fascinating woman who served in the Navy during WWII! I could have listened to her for hours. We have children, wide-eyed and filled with excitement and awe over everything. We have young people, who are rolling up their sleeves and helping others. We have busy young mothers, who take the time to read to a visually impaired person or drive an elderly neighbor to the store. Our country is made up of individuals who love and are loved, families who pray and play together. Our country is good, not because of what we can do but because of who we are--people looking out for each other. Let's celebrate THAT this weekend! Blessings on your 4th and stay safe! Love, heidi

June 29, 2010

"I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 34

This is so true and I can trace back throughout my life and see the many, many times this has happened to me. And yet. And yet, I still have fears. Wouldn't you think that, after the Lord shows me time and time again he will deliver me from what troubles me, fewer fears would pop up? One would think. Seems as though, just as one fear is going away, another takes its place in my psyche. I'm just a little bundle of fear it seems. I wonder if the Psalmist here is reminding and reassuring himself of God's deliverance from his fears. So much of what hurts us little humans is fear that fear is a driving force in many of our unhealthy actions. We need to constantly be reassured that God has before and will again carry us through our difficulties. The key is the first four words of this scripture--"I sought the Lord..." We must seek him in everything and at all times. God has before and he always will deliver us from our fears. Love, heidi

June 28, 2010

"Remember this, you who never think of God...Why do you recite my statutes and profess my covenant with your mouth, though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?"

Psalm 50

Well, that about sums it up, doesn't it? God must get so tired of hearing us singing his praises in church and then, as we walk out of the building we are saying, thinking or doing something naughty. Why can't we back up our praises with charity towards others? Why can't we celebrate our relationship with God by kindness and love and nourish it between Sundays? Our celebration of God needs to be an everyday, every minute occurrence and not just a once a week deal. "Remember this, you who never think of God..." That may be the key right there. Are we thinking of God while we are berating our neighbor? Probably not. And thinking of God may actually keep us from launching into a tirade against someone else. Thinking of God will help us "pray constantly" as St. Paul advises us to do. Thinking of God may actually help us take hold of our tongues and keep us from sinning with them. Let's try that this summer Monday! Love, heidi

June 24, 2010

"When we live realigned with our bodies and the natural world, when we have time for soul, mind and Spirit, it becomes very hard to believe in a merely random universe."

Fr. Richard Rohr, "Radical Grace"

Eiger and I sat out on the back step the other night and I watched the most amazing thing. A robin was eating a worm, right there in my yard. I marveled at the perseverance the robin had...it took quite a while to consume the worm. I thought about how the little worm had served its purpose in my yard, by burrowing through the soil, fertilizing and aerating it. As its last purpose, it provided food for the robin, giving itself as nourishment--very scriptural! All life has a purpose and we humans are no exception. It's just that sometimes we think too much about everything. It's really quite simple. Every life form is created by God for a purpose. As humans, our purpose is to glorify God. And, just as Fr. Rohr indicates, observing the natural world you can do nothing BUT praise God. Today, let's turn off the TV and sit outside. Let's observe what is going on around us and realize that our only job is to appreciate it. Love, heidi

Contact heidi: heidi11856@yahoo.com