ADVENT: … uncomplicated joy…

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Virginia

So, it’s really late & i will just leave you with one thought that has been mulling (like a good hot wine) in my head today:

JOY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED.

There it is – something for YOU to mull over now.  Sure, many living examples i’ve encountered in conflict zones have been Rather Complicated, but it’s funny how living there the simple things mattered (ok, in some places it’s life vs. death struggles every day. But in some way the small things in life then become more valuable??)

Whether it’s having a cup of tea with a friend, enjoying a sunrise (or sunset), taking a walk, fellowshipping with family, cooking a good meal (EATING a good meal),… spending time in quiet prayer – uncomplicated Joy boils down to simple choices & an attentive attitude on the look out for joy opportunities (like love, joy comes in all shapes & sizes & often when we least expect it, joy surprises…)

So, as Christmas nears & the Holiday Hustle gets into Boogie Mode:

Just DO it :    FIND JOY!

Just DO it:    SHARE JOY!

Just DO it:    BE JOY!

Italian hot chocolate

grace, peace & UNCOMPLICATED JOY

   Virginia : )

p.s. this is the best hot chocolate (ever!) enjoyed in Italy, but it’s sure easy to be joyful after a cup of the usual variety, especially on a very cold day!!

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ADVENT: …sunrise quotes! …

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Virginia

Early this morning i peeked out the window to behold the most glorious sunrise setting off golden reflections in the clouds, but within a few moments the brilliance faded & the day settled back into shades of gloomy gray.  ‘Twas grand to behold, but often life moves from moments of brilliance back into humdrum gray.  Sometimes, it’s hard to see the light (vs. how light shines so brightly in complete darkness.)   Advent is all about letting light shine in the darkness, but methinks we should also consider opening up the gray areas of our lives to the Divine Light.  (Maybe our heart-bulbs need a higher wattage to dissipate what’s gray into Brighter Colours! : ) 

Of course, didn’t have camera handy for those few precious moments this a.m., but here’s one at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon sunrise

“O come, O Dayspring from on high

And cheer us by Your drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.”
(Latin hymn from the 9th Century)

“As the sun illuminates not only the heaven and  the whole world, shining on both land and sea, but also sends rays through windows and small chinks into the furthest recesses of a house, so the Word, poured out everywhere, beholds the smallest actions of our life.” Clement of Alexandria (2nd Century)

grace, peace & SONRISE

    Virginia :  )

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ADVENT: The Immaculate Reception (football???)

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Virginia

It’s late & Virginia the Blogger is a bit cross-eyed with holiday shuffling & tireditis (& nite-time Bi-Pap-monitoring-for-Papa hangovers : )

Speaking of Papa, we had that Football Fest thing going on tonight. Football Fests happen quite often in the Woodward home, ESPECIALLY when the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing.

Since Papa is from just outside Pittsburgh, he brought us up properly to love Jesus & THE STEELERS.  For overseas buddies, the Steelers are a National Football League team with rather DEDICATED & DEVOTED fans! : )–  (click here to read Va’s explanation of American Football) Tonight we watched an NFL special, “The Immaculate Reception,” all about an amazing play that happened on 23 December 1972.

FORTY YEARS LATER folks are still talking about it. Not just talking – the play that won Pittsburgh that playoff game in the last 22 seconds has been watched more than any other sport-ish type video…  (indeed, they showed it from every angle at least 50 times in this program, i kid you not!)  Then there’s a statue of the key player, Franco Harris, at the Pittsburgh airport (next to George Washington, the 1st President of the United States)… & when school children go to the History museum, they are treated to a whole exhibit with the explanation, replay & the chance to see the shoes Franco wore (that are handled with as much care as Vatican Treasures!)

Dubbed, ‘The Immaculate Reception,” since Franco Harris miraculously caught (grabbed?) a long pass that somehow bounced over the intended receiver who was knocked down on his tushi.  No one Really Saw How It Got to Franco (although every camera from every angle has been replayed & analyzed every which way to Sunday these 40 years!)   The point being, Franco ran the ball in for a Touchdown with only 22 seconds on the clock… & the Steelers won. The crowd went crazy (this was before the team had done much Super Bowl winning, which they have done since.  SIX TIMES! )

What the heck does this have to do with Advent? Well, today’s Gospel reading covered Mary’s reception of Angel Gabriel’s message.  What seemed totally impossible (bearing a child, not just any child but the Son of God!!)  she responded, “Let it be done to me as you have said.”

Mary didn’t understand (‘how can this be since I have not known man?’) … but she accepted… & then moved forward in faith to receive Baby Jesus & carry Him 9 months to Bethlehem.

If you watch the ‘Immaculate Reception’ video (click here for a YouTube viewing), it’s almost impossible to see how Franco got the ball.  But, thinking Advent-ish applications, he did grab the ball & run, run, run to the End Zone.

I don’t know how it’s already December 20th  (!)  There’s not much time left ’til Christmas, but it may seem like the ‘End Zone’  is still So Far Away:  presents to wrap, parties to host, cakes to bake, last minute shopping to squeeze in …all those ‘oops, i forgot things to do’ before your family visitors arrive, &, of course, COOKING (lots of that!)

Maybe there’s even some down-field blocking needed to make your celebrations smooth (& avoid Family Fireworks that are not about Light in the Darkness but defusing  sibling rivalry relationship Bombs from Going Off…)

Whatever!!  The point is, have faith (& ask for grace) to receive whatever God sends your way these last few days before Christmas to make it to the End Zone.

Nothing is impossible with God (as Angel Gabriel said to Mary!) … even finding a bit of peace amidst the holiday hustle.  (Going to Church might help on that front!!!)

Believe it. Grab the ball & let’s run the Joy Play (with Jesus’ help) through whatever faces us today.  And, maybe, we will find little miracles (like mini-Immaculate Receptions) happening in our hearts if we’re open to receive them along the way..

steeler football in snow

grace, peace & Receptive Hearts

Virginia : )

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ADVENT WEDNESDAY PHOTOGRAPH: ….joy….

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Virginia

After writing about joy, ’tis appropriate this Wednesday to share a joy-filled photo. After these enterprising children in Uganda demonstrated a range of games they enjoyed playing (jump rope with weeds woven together, ‘jacks’ with rocks & nuts + other creative play activities using simple materials in their surroundings), they moved on to the really fun stuff: dancing.

Twas a blessing to hang out with them & witness their joy….

uganda joy

“Joy is the noblest human act.”   
St. Thomas Aquinas

grace, peace & ADVENT JOY

Virginia :  )

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ADVENT: …love blooming…

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Virginia

A beautiful poem from one of my favorite writers, Madeleine L’Engle..

To the impossible: Yes!
Enter and penetrate
O Spirit. Come and bless
This hour: the star is late.
Only the absurdity of love
Can break the bonds of hate.

This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There’d have been no room for the child.

Madeleine L’Engle  (from Glimpses of Grace)

PEI roses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADVENT: … joy? ….

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Virginia

Years ago when I returned from the Middle East, folks at cocktail parties and church often asked, “So, what did you learn in all your time over there?”

egads!  How to compress 5 years of living and working in the complex context of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Israel in a 3 minute chatty conversation?

But then the response came: “I learned about joy in suffering.”

Full stop. The experiences of five years whittled into one sentence.

‘Tis true, I saw Many Things (mostly of the non-joyful conflict-driven variety) but I also saw the incredible spirit of friends, colleagues, victims of violence and injustice as they reached out to those around them as beacons of Light, Love, Forgiveness, Peace and Joy.

I encountered more joy lessons in other conflict zones. Then living in Africa I witnessed courageous joy living amidst deadly diseases (poverty, injustice, and more.)

From this lesson toolkit of living examples, here’s Virginia’s take on joy…

Joy is not some bubbled-head happiness that depends on what happens.

Joy comes from within the heart, sometimes deep within when The Horribles crush us into near-oblivion.

Joy chooses to have faith in God’s Love, Mercy and Grace to carry on through the tough stuff that faces us, others, and hurting hearts wherever they may be.

Joy does not mean pain-free living, but does not let the pain drive us to darkness.  Joy chooses to follow the Light. (Even when it’s hard to see the dimmest flicker or spark or feel any warmth around us.)

Joy is the deadliest tool of Light because it dispels the darkness devised and delivered by the evil one and it’s evil minions (may they rot in hell in the eternal forever!)

Is this possible in the context of our whacked out world?  Yes, I have seen it over and over in inspirational Palestinians, Israelis, Albanians in Kosovo, Bosnians, Serbs, East Timorese, Congolese, Somalis, Indians, South Africans, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians and so many more (including my own family) here in America.

Joy finds value in the rubble of decimated lives, because THOSE LIVES ARE VALUABLE.

Joy comes from a well of Love and transports that love on wings of compassion that lift up the brokenhearted.

Joy finds roses in the rubble, something sometimes hard to do, but possible with God’s Help (lots of Help!)

… & Joy is what this season of Advent is all about. Light coming into the darkness. (Some things haven’t changed much – Mary’s time period included Roman occupation, injustice, exploitation, slavery and more…)

Light incarnated =  Emmanuel, God with Us

God’s Love + Peace + Grace + Mercy(for us) = Joy in our hearts

LIFE IS A GIFT…
Joy recognizes the Gift of Life within us and around us.

JOY IS A GIFT…
of heart, mind and spirit.

Joyful heart from christmascard (2)

As we continue to pray for the hurting hearts in Connecticut, treasure the moments you have with your precious ones, as the families in Newtown treasure the moments they had.  May the Light of God’s love comfort them in this time of mourning as they begin the process of laying (20) little and (6) big bodies to rest.

…and may God’s Gift of Joy begin lifting anguished hearts out of the darkness of death & into the Light of Life.  For, Life truly is a Gift.

grace, peace & Gifts

    Virginia

P.S.  ….After Friday’s horrific Horribles, I spent a little time journaling with God (don’t be freaked out, it’s just a contemplative way to document prayer time silently spent listening to that Still Small Voice.)  Thought this short bit might be comforting…

“But Lord, I don’t understand!?!”

That’s OK, Precious Child.

Take My Hand

and I will lead & guide you

to a New Land,

where tears of joy fall
(if at all)

& No pain can touch your spirit:

Peace reigns all in all…

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ADVENT quote: … arid deserts, hope & love…

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Virginia

Here’s a reflective quote for today (with photos to go with…)

WB St Georges overview

“Our brokenness is the wound through which the full power of God

can penetrate our being

and transfigure us in God….

Yes, through our wounds

the power of God can penetrate us

and become like rivers of living water

to irrigate the arid earth within us.

Thus we may irrigate the arid earth of others,

so that hope and love are reborn.”

(Jean Vanier)

WB St Georges flowers

grace, peace & Hope-irrigated deserts

    Virginia

(click here to learn about Jean Vanier & the L’Arche Community)

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ADVENT: … Psalm 23…

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Virginia

Busy today with holiday doings & goings, my previously plotted humorous post did not seem appropriate given the terrible tragedy yesterday in Connecticut.  I hope one day the families of the precious ones killed will be able to laugh again, but today is not that day.  May our God comfort those who mourn with His gentle Shepherd’s Hands as they walk through this valley…

Bethlehem shepherd

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD;
I SHALL NOT WANT.

HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES;

HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS.

Pemba fishing boat ocean

HE RESTORES MY SOUL;

HE LEADS ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY
OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL;

FOR YOU ARE WITH ME;

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.

YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME
IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES;

Christmas dinner Jerusalem (2)

YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL;

MY CUP RUNS OVER.

SURELY GOODNESS & MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME

ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE;

AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

FOREVER.

(Psalm 23)

grace, peace & Good Shepherds

Virginia

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ADVENT: …st. john of the cross quote….

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Virginia

Today we remember this great 16th century saint (1541-1591) well known for documenting his ‘Dark Night of the Soul.”   Misunderstood, mistreated,  maligned  – Saint John of the Cross came to know the dark intimately while imprisoned for his progressive faith. Yet through the depths of that ‘cross’ he came to a deeper understanding of  the incredible heights of God’s love.  May we learn from his example to seek God, even if we feel abandoned & don’t understand:  God’s love for us is with us even in the darkest corners of the deepest night.

niagara-falls-cropped (2)

“Never was font so clear,

undimmed and bright;

From it alone, I know proceeds all light

although ’tis night.”candle light 2Saint John of the Cross

grace,  peace & Heavenly Light

                Virginia

p.s. my heart & prayers are with the people of Newtown, CT, where the terrible shooting today at the Sandy Hook Elementary School killed 20 children & six adults.  Such senseless violence – especially against children – is unbelievable.  I was touched earlier this evening reading photographer Kenneth Todd’s blog post – he lives 20 miles from Newtown & has small children of his own.  Please click here to read the moving poem, “Tiny Angels,”  he included in tribute to the children who died today.

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Advent: … on waiting (PATIENTLY)…

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Virginia

i am such a groupie of Henri Nouwen (click here to read why!) so this highlighted quote seemed appropriate to share as we wait (& work on our patience) during Advent..

“Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not a waiting passivity until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here & now, to be where we are. When we are impatient we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow; later and somewhere else. Let’s be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand.”  Henri Nouwen

BG French wreath

So, i took this photo the day after Thanksgiving while ‘waiting’ for my brother to see Penguins at Christmas Town.  We figured everyone would be out shopping (!) but, no, it took 1/2 hour (30 minutes)  just GETTING IN THE PARKING LOT of Busch Gardens.   We then waited in tram lines with everyone (& their Grandmas, Grandpas, siblings, cousins, wee tots)  just getting to the park entrance.

Fortunately, we knew the drill so ate our tasty supper early (later on some folks waited an hour to get their vittles!)  We so enjoyed the Lights (all 6 million of them!) & the lovely carols & the general Cheerfulness throughout the park… but patience was a little tricky when it came to the Long Lines.

I did the Penguins last year (a little on the smelly side for their ‘cuteness’), so decided to wait while Dwight took a peek (with my hot drinkie in hand, observing folks from a comfortable chair   I waited…. & waited … & waited. (Finished the drinkie with slow sips, cleaned up my phone texts…)  After 45 minutes, i noticed Cool Stuff around & started plotting pics with the camera.  (Voila, see wreath above, a little tricky capturing due to light inside & fiddling with camera settings in the DARK, but i kinda like this one.)  Finally an Hour Later, Dwight returned…

By then i was really into having fun with the camera (more pics to follow for sure) so didn’t mind the wait (’twas a lovely, temperate evening – probably a reason folks came out of the woodwork since the next night was to be freezer-ish brrrr cold!)

…i chose patience in that instance (good on me!) but all too often, i am Really Not very patient (major understatement!)  So many times, i have been a little ticked at God for having to wait… & WAIT… & wait…  & WAIT..

Once during daily devotions in Africa (i worked for a faith-based organization)  our accountant spoke about ‘waiting on the Lord’ with those Isaiah verses to back it up.  I had been praying – fervently- that morning for a Husband & just BLURTED OUT: “but i don’t want to wait for a husband, i want one NOW!”  The Dar team laughed hilariously at their mkurugenza (director/ ‘Boss”) & it took quite awhile for me to live that one down.  (My boss, our National Director in Arusha, offered me to a Masai husband for 100 cows, but i told him it would Take A Whole Lot More!!!)

Waiting can be hard (& i am still a singleton, but living in community with the Savvy Saints the whole ‘pray for a husband’ thing is kinda Not Important as it was living alone. )

Still, there are Patience vs. Angst choices we make every day… waiting on new opportunities, waiting to get ‘called back’ for something, waiting in line (grocery, toy store, at the bank), waiting at the doctor’s office (!!!)… waiting for Serious Stuff (our loved ones to ‘come around’… to change bezerk behavior …) waiting … waiting… waiting.

(Waiting for ‘Mr. or Ms. Right’…)

How we wait… that’s what Henri Nouwen’s quote is about.  Methinks that’s the part that matters to God, too.  For good reason – embracing THE NOW – & letting go of our angst (prayers for Grace always good on that front!)  we may find treasure hidden around us.

Like the photo above.  Joyful light emanating from a Candy Shop…

Treasure comes in all shapes & sizes!

grace, peace & patience, patience…

Virginia :  )

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