Good morning…
As I was cleaning out my closet, I came across this card, a card filled with words I had written years ago during a spiritual retreat. I remember being on the annual retreat with our Northside Writers’ Group, and we were given quality time to write about our sphere of influence, how we sense ourselves impacting the world in a significant way. After jotting down notes, we were guided to begin our writing with this statement: “As a scribe for the Lord…”
Here is what I wrote.
“As a scribe for the Lord, I rely on God’s transformational power. Any love or joy or peace I experience comes from resting in oneness with God. When I disconnect, trying to do things on my own power, my love, joy and peace dry up like brown grass.
I throw out a wide net, fishing for people, inviting them into intimacy with God. We bond in a mutually beneficial way, their “This connection is exactly what I need.” naturally joins my “I feel like this is what I’m made for.” As I hone my listening skills, listening to God as I listen to others, I can go to the depths with people without fear. I can be with people as a vessel for God’s healing presence.
My stable roots are the most important part of me – up from my roots God grows fresh fruits. I experience these fruits growing – I see them, I sense them, I notice them expanding day in and day out. I am grateful God wakes me early to write, to discern, then I can listen and talk with others as they discern the growth of God.
Time is a friend of discernment – so I am grateful God chisels out one-on-one time with me every morning. The fruits of God’s Spirit organically grow out of my time of centered grounding. I am a soul to soul friend, with God and with others.”
Re-reading my own words, found on an old card as I cleaned my closet, I am reminded of who I am – who I am, really.
There are other parts of me that take over sometimes. My anxiety. My overindulgent. My “me, me, me.” Betty Skinner, my most influential spiritual mentor, taught me how to identify the five C’s in my life. Anytime I am comparing, competing, complaining, controlling, or condemning myself or others, then I am working out of my defensive false self. This is not who I am, this is how I am acting to protect myself. When I catch myself spiraling into forcing my own way, I simply surrender myself again, “Lord, help me to graciously accept whatever you allow.”
Again, I deepen back down into who I truly am, who I am, really.
The back of this old card holds up a mirror for all of us. This is who we are, who we are, really.
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (Galatians 5:22-23, MSG).
If you were to retreat into quality time with God, writing about your own sphere of influence and how you impact the world in a significant way, what notes might you take as you listen deeply, soul to soul?
As a scribe for the Lord, “Who are you? Who are you, really?”
…Sue…
P.S. Finding this old card reminded me of how important spiritual retreats have been in the formation of my true identity. Four weeks from today, April 26th, we will be waking up on our S.T.I.R. U.P. the Gifts of God Women’s Retreat, surrounded by two hundred acres of beauty at the Heritage Retreat Center. Currently, twelve wonderful women have registered. Might God be nudging you to get away, to join us on retreat? If so, please explore this link: www.NorthsideUMC.org/womensretreat
P.S.S. Earlier this month, our written word community contributed funds to offset the cost of the ISP Retreat for women recovering from homelessness and addiction. The Director of Development at the Ignatius House Retreat Center wrote to us this thank you note. I echo her deep gratitude.
Hi Sue!
In total, your friends gave $2,342!! We are so, so grateful!
Very excitingly, Sarah told me that multiple women asked her for her business card at the end of the retreat so they could get in touch and learn about being part of the team and serving as a witness (which means sharing their own story of addiction and recovery on future retreats). I love when this happens! It’s such a testament of how much the experience meant to them and the ripple effect it can have…if they become part of the volunteer team they’ll make an impact in many other women’s lives.
Thank you so much for supporting this incredible ministry!
Megan
