Epiphany

It's not that I haven't been getting more and more comfortable with the Christian calendar, as opposed to any other number of ways to mark time, over the past several years.  I have.  And I love this.  But I have to say that I am relieved that on this day of Epiphany we enter into ordinary time, because it can be exhausting to always be celebrating something special.  I wrote, just recently, that I was ready for something ordinary.  I am.

However, I do have a couple of thoughts regarding Epiphany, today.

First, I am still learning how to celebrate.  We did chalk the door last night.  We even blessed each member of our family with frankincense and myrrh.  The kids were a little disappointed that we didn't have any gold.  I am wearing gold, today, although that was something of an accident.  Since it's a feast day, and since someone suggested that Eastern food was appropriate, I did not argue when a friend recommended that we eat lunch at a Chinese restaurant.  OK, let's be real.  I never argue when this is the case, but at least it seemed suitable.  It's OK if the learning curve is steep.

Second, the lectionary readings and daily office readings continue to point to the same thing.  Psalm 46:7a, "The Lord Almighty is with us" (NIV).  I know the lectionary wasn't written for me, but I think it's pretty obvious that I need this reminder on a daily basis. 

And so, here I am, starting out my Soul Care Days, just being glad that God uses ordinary moments, ordinary people, and ordinary time to come close.

L.

And So It's A New Year...

I have made no resolutions.  However... 

Our family has just a few more Sacred Days left, and that time will be followed by Epiphany, which, for me, will begin with some Soul Care Days that I desperately need.  Mostly, I need them desperately because all of the Soul Care Days I took, last year, were saturated with crisis management, and I think I can get away for a few days, now, without that kind of distraction.  When those days draw to a close, I will jump back into school (mine and the kids') with both feet.  I cannot think of a better way to enter into Ordinary Time.

I need an ordinary year, really.  I know that's the sort of thing that most people don't wish for, but it sounds amazing to me.  More than anything, I need to reset the rhythms of my life and to spend my time on the people and things that are central to being the person I was created to be in view of the redemptive work to which God calls us to join in.

This morning, I read a post by Derek Webb that struck a chord with me in so many ways.  What resonated the most were his thoughts on personal liturgy.  He wrote that there are, "things that I don't necessarily or always believe, but I show up to recite again and again in hopes of believing them... so I'll go on reciting and adding to my liturgy in hopes of believing the words, because I wish to.  More than ever, I wish to."  This has caused me to think deeply about some words found in Scripture, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:24, NIV).

So often, I find myself in this place where belief and unbelief seem to be at war within me.  I'm not sure the very best plan is to "fake it 'til I make it," but sometimes things do become truth to us if we say them enough times.  And so I will...

 
L.