A Little Advent Humor…

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Virginia

On this Advent Wednesday, how ’bout taking a quickie time out to laugh? It has been said laughter is like medicine. At the end of the day laughter may not heal our sore throats, but it sure can help heal our souls.

Virginia prescribes several daily doses of laughter, but even more is better.

For today’s initial dose, here’s a napkin my friend Ann set out at a luncheon years ago. Too funny to use, this napkin was carefully transported home and promptly framed. It stands next to my desk where it makes me laugh, especially on indecisive change-my-outfit-four-times days.

“So, what are you wearing tomorrow?”

grace, peace & Advent Humor

Virginia : )

“Humor is a prelude to faith, and laughter is the beginning of prayer.” Reinhold Niebuhr

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#ADVENT: BE NOT AFRAID!

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Virginia

God tells us many times in Scriptures “fear not” and “do not be afraid.” Angel Gabriel also told Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary…” (Luke 1:30)

Be not afraid! But there’s so much (so very much) to be afraid of these days. Freaky global viruses, conflicts, economic woes and whatever is turning our personal landscapes into frightscapes…

…with rivers of fear obstructing our tranquility.

Years ago amidst tough times a friend shared verses from Isaiah that have become treasured comfort when frightscapes loom large for this redhead.

“…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3

No matter how rough the rapids facing us, God our Creator calls us by name. God is with us, so we don’t have to be overwhelmed. (Handing over our fears to God’s safekeeping helps in that regard.)

We may splash around and take a tumble into our fears, but God’s good in the “let go and let Me rescue you” department.

If we ask, God provides courage and rafts of fortitude to cross the rivers of our fears (and often throws a little sunshine in as a bonus!)

On this third day of Advent, BE NOT AFRAID!

grace, peace & Advent Courage

Virginia : )

Photos: Bow River, Banff National Park (Canada)

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#ADVENT: LOVE MULTIPLIED

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Virginia

A big part of this season is the giving of gifts. This year our Christmas may look different with few in-person gatherings and fewer resources than normal. We may be rethinking our giving strategies.

To that point, here’s something to ponder from one of my favorite spiritual writers.

“What we give away multiplies…This is the way of God. The way we are called to live our lives. The little love we have, the little knowledge we have, the little advice, the little possessions… are given to us as gifts of God to be given away. The more we give them away, the more we discover how much there is to give away.” Henri Nouwen (“The Road to Daybreak”)

Never forget the most important gift we can give is the gift of LOVE

…and God multiplies it!

grace, peace & gift multiplication

Virginia : )

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#ADVENT: Watching, Waiting, Welcoming

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Virginia

And so it begins…Today is the First Sunday of Advent. This morning our senior pastor Msgr. Joe laid out a litany of 2020 woes (a long list!) Global pandemics, earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, conflict, and strife – the world as we knew it last December has changed irrevocably. Into such a world the Light of Christ came 2,000 years ago.

Advent is a season of waiting and watching for the Light of Christmas. It’s a time to wake up, be attentive, grow hope, and be the love of Jesus to others.

Msgr. Joe said just as we observe 3 W’s for COVID-19 (Wear a mask, Watch social distance, and Wash our hands) we need to observe 3 W’s of Advent: Watch, Wait, and Work.

Watch: Keep our focus on Christ and watch our behavior. We need to be awake to what’s going on around us. Take stock of our neighbors’ needs. Guard against selfishness and indifference.

Wait: Don’t hastily push panic buttons or give into despair. We need to slow down. Wait on those who are alone, suffering, and need encouragement.

Work: Labor to make right what is broken. Be ever ready to respond. Use gifts we have been given. “Be busy without being busybodies. That means no whining, no groaning, no belly-aching, no sitting on the sidelines.” (Msgr. Joseph Lehman)

To Msgr. Joe’s list your humble blogger Virginia adds a fourth W: Welcome. Advent is a season of opening our hearts wider to welcome in the Light of Christ. As we welcome Christ, we welcome the joy of Christmas: God incarnate in good times and bad.

“When we are riddled with fear just as the sun sets, Christ the Light of Heaven illuminates the night, calling us into the radiance of God’s presence. May the Morning Star inspire us to keep love bright today.” Fr. Guerric DeBona

A blessed First Sunday of Advent to all!

grace, peace & Advent grooves

Virginia : )

p.s. As in years past Blogger Virginia will attempt a post-a-day Advent gig. (A quote, picture, song, brief reflection, something Christmassy…) I realize many friends and bloggers come from different faith traditions, but I hope everyone will be blessed with a bit of seasonal peace, joy and understanding. All are welcome to join Virginia on this journey!

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#Thanksgiving: A Gratitude Workout

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Virginia

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder… When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”  G.K. Chesterton

Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow in the U.S. For many of us this year’s holiday will differ greatly from years past. It may not be the Thanksgiving we hoped or planned due to the current escalation of COVID-19 in our country.

Things are difficult right now. It may take a bit of doing to be grateful.

This week we may not be together in person to share celebratory feasts, but we can still partake with thanksgiving by giving our hearts a gratitude workout.

It’s easy to be thankful when good things fill our lives, but an attitude of gratitude goes a long way when life is hard. Perhaps because it’s difficult, we can appreciate the good in our lives even more.

Living overseas this redhead missed many Thanksgivings – it was a workday, not a holiday. One year in Tanzania after a long day of meetings I picked up Indian take-away at 9:00PM, partaking with gratitude when my parents called to wish me “Happy Thanksgiving!” All those Thanksgivings away from family made me appreciate their love and presence in my life even more.

Maybe this year we can’t be with loved ones, but we can give thanks for their love. We can also thank God for constants in our lives, what keeps love and hope growing in our hearts.

Papa gave thanks to God every day for Mama!!

My (in-pain-24/7) bedfast quadriplegic papa began every morning by giving thanks. Papa couldn’t even wipe his nose, but he always said: “My blessings outweigh my challenges.” Every morning he counted his blessings then asked God for help facing his challenges.

Taking a lesson from my papa, why not pause and give our hearts a gratitude workout today? Thank God for Heavenly paintbrushes busy around us and within us, the provision of vibrant grace to face our challenges, for our loved ones near and far, and for the presence of Eternal Love in our hearts…

We are never alone!

grace, peace & gratitude workouts

Virginia  : )

“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.”  Tim Keller

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Fall (Gasp-Gorgeous) TREES and LEAVES!

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Virginia

Last week Virginia and her brother Dwight enjoyed another staycation daytripping close to home. We had plotted driving several hours to the mountains to see fall leaves, but found plenty of fall colors right outside our front door.

One of our dogwood trees clapping with color last week…

Instead of spending a whole day in the car we decided to drive down the Colonial Parkway, a 23 mile scenic cobblestone-ish road maintained by the National Park Service that connects Jamestown to Yorktown. It’s a beautiful drive in any season, but truly gasp-gorgeous last week as fall leaves peaked here in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Colonial Parkway (a fall peak view)

With a plethora of gasp-gorgeous trees on display, it felt like we were driving through Tolkien’s Lothlórien.

Even on a cloudy day, yellow leaves took my breath away!

We enjoyed our Parkway crawl last Monday so much that on Tuesday we drove down the Colonial Parkway, again! On Monday we journeyed across the York River to points further afield in Gloucester, VA, while on Tuesday we traipsed about Yorktown, VA.

We were glad to be visiting Yorktown on Tuesday when we saw the Coleman Memorial Bridge to Gloucester open for a Very Long Time as a big ship passed through.

Later in the week we meandered around the streets of our hometown Williamsburg, catching trees like these on every corner.

A peek at fall trees “peaking” in Colonial Williamsburg

Gasp-gorgeous trees in Colonial Williamsburg

grace, peace & gasp-gorgeous trees

Virginia : )

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

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Quickie Quote: In This Moment

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Virginia

As turbulence continues to shake our world and knock our serenity down a few notches, here’s a timely reminder…

“God is God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful and painful.” Henri Nouwen

 “Be still and know that I Am God.” Psalm 46:10

grace, peace  & present moments

Virginia : )

Photos: James River (James City County, Virginia)

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VERVE AND NERVE

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Virginia

Virginia’s definition of verve = Guts. Gumption. Courage to have at it.

Virginia had verve in spades at various times in her life, but these days hesitation has done something to her nerve, a vital requirement for verve.

Why hesitate? The question, “What will others think?” (a nerve blocker of calamitous proportions) usually tops the list.

Putting ourselves out there the possibility of rejection exists. When rejections pile up their weight crushes our nerve and verve to try again.

Another nerve-and-verve crusher? Apathy. Sometimes we put ourselves out there and there’s no response. We pour our hearts into our art (or whatever we are putting out there) and there’s nothing. Nada.

Sometimes it’s not our art, it’s us. We put ourselves out there for new relationships and BANG, the door of rejection slams in our face.  Or, once again, apathy leaves us feeling unsettled in our innards.

When our verve and nerve desert us it’s hard to keep on going – to be brave, to give it another go. (Trying again is verve’s specialty.)

It’s easier to wall ourselves into finite fortresses. Constrained by walls, our verve and nerve slip into stagnant pools of resignation. We isolate ourselves and give up on our dreams that demand verve and nerve.

But, here’s the kicker: If we give up, we will never know how far we can go. “Fall down seven times get up eight.”

Yes, people can be mean and unconscionable. Yes, rejection is painful. Yes, apathy hits us hard in our innards.

But, if we don’t try, we’ll never know how far we can go.

Thomas Edison tried 1,000 times before creating a workable light bulb. Madeleine L’ Engle received 25+ rejections before her now famous book “A Wrinkle in Time” found a publisher. That’s heaps of failure and rejection to manage.

But, they didn’t give up.

Here’s the deal. If your verve and nerve reservoirs are in low ebb at the moment, just do it. The next step, however small, take it. Let nerve and verve out of their finite fortresses, polish stagnant stuff away with courage, and try again.

Now is the time. Don’t give up. Learn from your mistakes. Let nerve strengthen your verve to KEEP ON GOING.

grace, peace & nervy verve

Virginia : )

“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.” Madeleine L’Engle

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Quickie Quote (the Hope-filled kind!)

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Virginia

On this ponderous Friday here’s an inspirational quote from one of my favorite authors to keep on going amidst whatever we are facing…

“Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.” J.R.R. Tolkien

grace, peace & new days!

Virginia : )

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(a little more) CIVILITY, PLEASE!

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Virginia

As we head into evening on Election Day in the USA, Virginia (the person) thinks it might be a good idea to contemplate CIVILITY. Here are relevant excerpts from a blog she posted during the last presidential election in 2016. BTW, I wanted to put up a KIRK/SPOCK 2020 yard sign this year, but my brother said this election is nothing to joke about. No kidding! If you haven’t voted, please head for the polls before they close!

What happened to civility in our political discourse?

On Sunday a spiffy Cadillac pulled up next to me at a stoplight. As the tinted window buzzed down, I thought, “Have I done something wrong?” Then a well-heeled lady waved and said, “My husband and I want to thank you. Your bumper sticker made us laugh all down this road, something we haven’t done much lately. Wherever did you get it?”

When the light changed, my spirits lifted with theirs as we drove our separate ways.

This American election season has been polarizing and depressing to folks from all ends of the political spectrum, and to the indecisive bouncing betwixt volatile extremes. Social media antics have increased the stress factor. Some posts on Facebook and other outlets have made me cringe. People boast they have “unfriended” those of differing views.

Name calling, nasty rhetoric, polarizing tweets and instantgrams zing back and forth.

What happened to civil discourse? Like, when we agree to disagree and still be friends? I have been blessed with friends from different cultures, religions, countries, ethnicities, and political backgrounds who have enriched my life. Yes, many times we’ve disagreed on specific issues (sometimes heatedly) but they know I care about them and I know they care about me.

But, puhleeez! I am fed up with religious leaders saying one candidate is “the right choice.” Get real! We Americans are a diverse bunch, so too, our churches and religious places of worship reflect diversity and differing views. I’ve got news for everybody:

God is not Democrat. God is not Republican.

And, guess what?!? (This might shock some folks) God is NOT American!

God is above and beyond all our political divisions and national boundaries. And the love of God is for ALL of us, whatever our ethnicity, religion, country, gender or political hue.

In this election there are many issues at stake. Each one of us must prayerfully evaluate what’s important in our hearts and vote accordingly. Then engage in a little civility.

Treat others as we want them to treat us, like the Golden Rule.

To my Christian family and friends, I challenge you with the example of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper. After He tenderly washed their feet, Jesus commanded them, “Now, you must go and do likewise for each other.”  I imagine He looked implicitly at Simon the Zealot, a revolutionary bent on overthrowing Roman occupation, and Matthew, the former tax collector collaborator with the Roman occupiers.

Both look at each other, “You mean him? Wash his feet? The one I can’t stand?”

Jesus didn’t say to “barely tolerate each other,” but “wash each other’s feet.” So, to, we should wash the feet of those with whom we disagree with respect, civility, and love that knows no boundaries.

As people of faith we put our trust in God, Who has an everlasting well of love and mercy for us that never runs dry. God’s love is here for us no matter what happens, in disasters and after, in good times and bad, and even in a polarizing American election!

Who knows what will happen tonight? But no matter what, people of faith, let’s ask God for the grace to be civil conciliators – conduits of peace, dignity, civility and respect for all. Let’s choose to be beacons of love that dissipates hate.

Let’s show (a little more) civility, please!

grace, peace & civility

Virginia : )

p.s. My bumper sticker candidates offer serious wisdom to contemplate:

“The prejudices people feel about each other disappear when they get to know each other.” Captain Kirk (Star Trek, “Elaan of Troyius”)

“I have been, and always shall be, your friend.” Spock (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

“I am pleased to see that we have differences. May we together become greater than the sum of both of us.”  Surak of Vulcan (Star Trek, “The Savage Curtain”)

“Peace or utter destruction. It’s up to you.”  Captain Kirk (“A Taste of Armageddon”)

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