Mama Mondays

I loved reading Gregory Boyle's new book on the plane this past week and typed out my favorite quotes for you here. May we be given the grace to “cultivate a new way of seeing.” - Gregory Boyle, Cherished Belonging Tenderness is the highest form of spiritual maturity.   - Gregory Boyle, Cherished Belonging No us and Them- just Us, This is, indeed, God’s dream come true. - Gregory Boyle, Cherished Belonging The Tender One says so clearly: I will carry you and sustain you in love, no matter what. You are irreplaceable, unrepeatable, and of unlimited worth. - Gregory Boyle, Cherished Belonging The God of love is peeking behind the curtain of every holy moment, and we just hope to be alert to it. This is our practice. The Divine fully alive in my kid, in that sunset, in the unexpected kindness. The God we experience is uncaged and freed of the personified Deity. We stand hopeful for a language large enough to carry us into a new territory of mystical seeing.   - Gregory ...

This is one of my favorites that needs to be read every Advent and Christmas!  Nativity: an essay By Brian Kershisnik   To purchase the ‘Nativity’ print, please visit  www.newvisionart.com This painting is called “Nativity”. The decision to avoid the definite article illuminates a particularly fascinating and miraculous aspect of Jesus’ advent. Notwithstanding the overwhelming significance of Jesus coming, He came very much like you and I came. His birth was like your birth and mine. He came into our dirt and sweat and blood and milk. He arrived into our hunger and discomfort, just as everyone else on the planet ever has. His birth was, in that sense, unremarkable. It hurt his mother and Him. It was very likely troubling to Joseph as well (his vexation probably complicated by their displacement from home) and likely not so troubling to the midwives, smiling through the bloody ordeal as midwives do. I know that no midwives are mentioned in the scriptures, but bear in mind ...

"Well, here we are again, God. I’m supposed to feel advent-y. Instead I feel weary, a little sadness, grumpy. I’m also hungry, but of course that’s because I haven’t had breakfast yet – so I won’t load that one up on you. The nutritionist told me to make sure I eat something small first thing (maybe a little 90 calorie Yoplait or a slice of cheese), right after I get up and before I go for my run. So there’s  another  thing I’m supposed to be doing. Yoplait first thing  and  feel Advent-y. Welp, two strikes. But here we are again, starting the story for another go round. I’m glad the story moves on whether I’m in the groove or not. I’m glad all I really have to do is get in the vicinity, just ease on to the slow moving train and hold on for the ride until (hopefully) some of the magic sets in. Oh, I know it will. Something unexpected always yanks at my heart – maybe it will be those haunting notes from the Russian State Symphony, maybe s...

  The Litany of Trust From the belief that I have to earn Your love... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that trusting you will leave me more destitute... Deliver me, Jesus. From all suspicion of your words and promises... Deliver me, Jesus. From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You... Deliver me, Jesus. From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will... Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future...  Deliver me, Jesus. From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past... Deliver me, Jesus. From restless self-seeking in the present moment... Deliver me, Jesus. From disbelief in Your love and presence...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being asked to give more than I have... Deliver me, Jesus. From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth... Deliver me, Jes...