Hot!

Our corner of Northwest Arkansas has been under extreme heat warnings for several weeks now. Back in May, when I started working in the yard after a wet Spring, I figured "what I don't get done in May, I can do in June". Not so. The heat moved in quickly and forcefully. I'm still plugging along on the yard a few minutes at a time as I come home from the barn already hot and sweaty. I will help next week with another (final) round of horse camp. I can only tolerate the mornings and will head for home by noon. 

I wonder how anyone can still argue with the advance of climate change. The signs are pretty unmistakable as measurable weather trends continue to break records. I remember pondering from a tender age how our 'advanced' society, with its vehicles and machines of production (I grew up in a refinery town), fit in with God's creation. It has always seemed to me that our American way of life conflicted in many ways with the natural world. I am as dependent as anyone on my gasoline powered car and my air conditioning, but I fear we have crossed a tipping point with our environment. Woe be unto us as ocean currents shift and the very rhythm of life is disrupted.

God of Creation, we have failed at our role as caretakers of Your earth. Let me fall on my knees before you to ask forgiveness. It may be too late to salvage certain lands and ways of living as the industrialized world has gobbled up resources at the expense of the developing world. Much of our sinfulness can be attributed to greed. We want products and creature comforts that degrade the environment, and we are loath to rein in our habits. Give me and my fellow wealthy brothers and sisters the will and the commitment to change our ways and to consider first how our behaviors affect our neighbors. Our neighbors include everyone on "this fragile earth, our island home." (Eucharistic Prayer C, BCP, p. 370)

Back from Vacation

We are back home from a week of cabin time. We even left the basset hound home with a sitter. He tolerates the lake but doesn't love it unless he's out on a sniff. It is way too hot and buggy for that! So, we were able to read, work all kinds of puzzles, and eat well. As a frien used to say, "let your soul catch up to you". 

I have been back long enough to attend church and get to the barn.  Yesterday's Gospel was from Matthew: the parable of the weeds that grew up with the good seed. The parable instructs us that Jesus said to leave the weeds alone until the harvest when they would be bound and burned (by the angels at the 'end of the age'). The preacher went on to ask us "Where are the weeds in your life"? She quickly put to rest any notion I might have had that my life is pure and without weeds! After her list of examples, I'm sure we all have weeds. 

I was able to apply the lessons immediately when I arrived at the barn and it was confirmed for me that a certain riding instructor had been asked (told) to vacate the property by mid-August.  I have not been a fan for quite some time, and it was easy to jump into the gossip about how much more pleasant the barn is now (well, it is!). Finding fault with this person takes no effort (she really is annoying and takes advantage!).  Along with my compadres, I am glad she is moving on. But that has to point to a major weed patch in my heart. Though this woman behaves in ways that turn people away, surely she deserves my compassion. Her life is, and probably always will be, difficult. The defenses she was forced to develop to survive a hardscrabble childhood no longer serve her well, but she is loath to change. That is something to mourn, not just gossip about.

It would probably be a good idea to revisit the collect for purity I discussed a few posts back.

Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart from ill will toward others, including and especially those I don't care for. Every human face belongs to one of your beloved children. Help me to see people more as You see them, with the eyes of compassion and mercy. Help me tame my tongue when gossip flies. Remind me how often you accept my faults and stay by my side. Nurture the good seed in me and protect me from the weeds.

Amen

Horse Camp

I have spent this week helping out with horse day camp at my boarding stable. With the owner out of town and one of the teachers out for a knee replacement, they needed extra bodies. Today (Friday) the campers dolled their horses up in braids, bows, and ribbons and demonstrated for parents what they have learned this week. What a journey it has been since Monday! Each camper navigated the pattern today with confidence and success, even the ones who were tearful with fear on day one. Each introduced him/herself and told a bit about the horse s/he had ridden for the week. Everyone finished with a big smile of satisfaction and pride of accomplishment.

I wonder if we appear to God this way as we try to mature into our faith. I wonder if God delights as we master a prayer practice or grow into a ministry.  I wonder if God smiles when we act more Christlike, even if just for a fleeting moment. 

My granddaughter, Sadie, got in a hurry and flubbed her emergency dismount at the end of the pattern. She kept her foot in the stirrup too long and tumbled clumsily to the ground as her saddle rolled to the (patient) horse's side. The instructor pointed out for the crowd that Sadie's experience was exactly why we practice the emergency dismount for those times when we need to bail in a hurry. She re-fitted the saddle, Sadie climbed back aboard, and executed a perfect dismount, to applause all around. I was able to tell Sadie I was even more impressed that she persevered than if she had nailed it the first time. I hope and fervently believe we get that kind of acceptance of our flaws from our loving God. How much it must mean when we dust ourselves off and keep trying on spiritual matters!

Lord God, look with your merciful eyes on our clumsy attempts. We want to please you. We want to discern your will. We want to walk the path you have chosen for us. Give us the courage to persevere and to keep trying when we fall into sin, hurt someone we love, or otherwise fall short of your ideal. Help us forgive ourselves and others as you have forgiven all of us.

Amen

The BCP

We had an excellent Sunday school class yesterday on the Prayer Book, formally The Book of Common Prayer. Our lives in the Episcopal Church are structured around the content of this book with the most recent published edition dated 1979. There is continued discussion of additions and changes to the BCP at the General Conventions of the EC. There have been jokes that Episcopalians know their Prayer Books better than their Bibles.  But, in all seriousness, the Book contains our prayers, the services we use on Sundays and at other times, an outline of our beliefs, and our liturgical calendars.  It is a rich resource to guide us on our Christian journeys.

Yesterday, we focused on the prayers. There are 2 main sections of prayers: The Collects (pp. 159-261), and Prayers and Thanksgivings (pp. 810-841). A Collect ('col-ect) is a prayer form that addresses God and then makes a request, such as guidance, blessing, or strength. We read a seasonal one each Sunday as part of the Eucharistic service, and there are additional ones for Holy days and special purposes. 

I know these powerful prayers are available, but I often forget to turn to them when my prayer life goes dry. Perhaps, like me, you tire of always praying the same prayers in the same form.  I lose enthusiasm for my prayer time when I get bored, and I feel it may kind of insult God if I ask for the same things over and over as if I don't trust that I am being heard.

Whatever your faith tradition, I commend to you the Book of Common Prayer for these excellent sections. There are prayers for most topics including The Church, the world, families, communities, illness, and so on. You can find a helpful list on pp. 810-813. One prayer practice we considered yesterday was to turn the weekly collect into a personal prayer for the week by changing the pronouns 'us' and 'we' to 'I' and 'me'. As our leader pointed out, "strap on your seatbelt, for this can be more powerful than you expect".

I will share as today's prayer one of my favorite prayers in the Prayer Book, the Collect for Purity that is said every Sunday at the beginning of the service to help us transition from the outside world into worship (p. 323 and p. 355):

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Distraction

Have you had that experience where one project leads to another, to another, to another? That's what it has been like to replace our refrigerator.  A cabinet had to be removed, that cabinet needed slider drawers I had been using in the bathroom, then we needed something to hold the towels... So instead of blogging and thinking about prayers, I have been traipsing the aisles of Target and Wal-Mart.  There is something wrong with this - those places are so dehumanizing. And I hate buying plastic (needed in the fridge). So, grrrr. But the kitchen is back together with some improvements. And something in this mix even drew me to clean out my adult daughter's former closet..

How does that kind of experience, when we're drawn away from what we desire to do by the daily grind, inform our spiritual lives? I feel gratitude that we can afford to live in the modern world with its conveniences.  I pray for all who live in poverty, distress, and need. But there must be something God has to say to me when the world captures attention and time better spent on the holy.

Creator God, Your kingdom is not concerned with the detritus of daily life on earth. That's one thing I expect to be struck by when I can spend eternity in your close presence. But you must have some agency in our earthly lives. Where are you in my distraction? Are you patiently waiting for me to turn my attention back to You? Are you there in the store with me? Maybe You simply want me to gaze on my fellow shoppers with eyes of compassion. Maybe you want me to recognize You in the employees who work long hours in an ugly environment. Maybe you are asking me to rethink my footprint in this life and reduce my belongings. Bring the right questions into my mind, I pray. Lead me Lord into your path of Righteousness.

Amen

Help With Despair

I am posting a second time today while my memory is fresh. I have experienced the past week as one of upheaval in our country and the world. There are wars and natural disasters underway. But my sense of despair has to do with man-made chaos. The US Supreme Court has continued this week with a pattern of decisions that I feel are restrictive to certain groups of people and impose a political viewpoint on the country that does not represent the majority of citizens. The justices are appointed, not elected, and serve for life. It stirs my anger and angst when it appears the majority is codifying a political position that isn't theirs to impose. My evening prayer one night this week was simply, "Help! I am overwhelmed with despair."

Today's service at St. Thomas was like a lifeline. The Scripture readings, the hymns, and the sermon all spoke to the help I need. From the first lesson from Jeremiah (about prophets) came this: "The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient time prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet." I needed my fears calmed by the reminder that God's Kingdom is one of peace, not division and strife. There will always be people who sow fear to advance their personal power.

The sermon hymn, #609, opens with: "Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan, above the noise of selfish strife, we hear thy voice, O Son of Man." Isn't that about the most comforting message you can imagine for dealing with the world's problems? If we can listen for the voice of Jesus, our hearts can be calmed.

An advantage of being a supply priest is that you can 'burn the house down' and not have to answer the phone on Monday morning. Our preacher this morning used her sermon to great effect on this 4th of July weekend. She addressed the desire of some that we become a "Christian nation". We can't even agree on what that means. I wouldn't want to be the type of Christian that embodies that kind of arrogance about other peoples' God. She talked about past attitudes toward immigrants, and that any of us who are not Native Americans fall into that category. She reminded us that our country came to the aid of Germany and Japan, our mortal enemies, to help them rebuild after WWII. There have been times when we were compassionate, big-hearted, generous, and forward thinking. Much good was accomplished and many lives were improved during those times.

God of all providence, stir in our hearts the desire for all Your blessed children to thrive. Turn our attention to how we can shine your light in our own communities. Strengthen us for Your service. Guide us in the way of peace. Show us how to live day by day in a world that has drifted far from the peaceful example of Jesus.

Amen

Thank You

I follow a blogger called horsehippie on Instagram, and she posts a Morning Mantra. I like it because it's a brief, pithy suggestion that I can carry around all day.  A few days ago, she posted "If you only say one prayer, let it be, Thank You". (All of her posts include a photo of a beautiful horse, of course.) That message has had staying power. 

Since about April, my husband and I have done big repairs on: air conditioning at both home and cabin, old Ford truck I use to pull the horse trailer, and my 14 y.o. Honda Element. We have replaced the water heater and fridge at the lake, roofs at home and cabin, and, yesterday, the fridge at home. We're feeling kind of picked on in the expense department. But my husband stopped short yesterday and said, "At least it's stuff that's broken and not us." What a change in perspective! We have friends who are fighting cancer, dementia, serious injuries from an accident, and deaths of adult children. We have friends who are raising their grandchildren because the parents are unable to overcome their addictions. We can manage problems with our creature comforts. Heck, I'm even laying out problems with our 2nd home here. Our bounty overwhelms and sometimes embarrasses me. 

Gracious and loving God, thank you. For the life you chose for me. For my 43-year marriage to my true love. For my family and friends. For the animal friends you have brought into my life. For the place I call home. For my access to medical care. For my freedom to worship. For our chance to enjoy retirement. For the restorative natural world. For the times in my life when You have healed me and equipped me to move forward. For the many mothers and fathers who have mentored me. For all of it, I give You thanks.

Amen