I wonder if the power of the Scripture's stories is not that they happened once upon a time, but that they happen. They have happened; they are happening; and they will happen. Like the story about Jesus taking the hand of the dead/sleeping girl and saying: "My child, get up!" Wake up. Wake up. Live … Continue reading On Waking
As I puttered around in that old flannel shirt, I thought back to who I was 20 years ago. 20 years ago, I was full of ideas and passion and ideals. The future was wide open. I had a plan and knew what I was going to be when I grew up. The plan was lost a long time ago and replaced with a new plan, which was also lost. Now I don't have a plan. The future is still wide open. This is both exhilarating and embarrassing. I'm letting go of the embarrassed. I am thankful that I am still becoming.
What am I here for today? Sometimes I wake up with that prayer on my heart. It's a prayer I would like to wake up with every day. What am I here for today? This morning, an answer came to me: You are not here to wash the floors, to fold the laundry, or to … Continue reading What am I here for today?
There are many things that we know with our minds and intellect that we really don't know. This knowledge doesn't change the way that we see. It doesn't change the way that we act. Sometimes we need reminders of the way things really are. We need help remembering our place in the scheme of … Continue reading The Practice of Seeing What is Real
One of my most profound "God-moments" came at a time when I wasn't in the habit of noticing God's voice. I was in church. Uncomfortable in my huge questions. A stress-ball. Feeling lost and inadequate. All of a sudden, the words of Ani DiFranco's song "As Is" came singing through my mind. And I've got … Continue reading As Is
The other day, my kindergartner remarked with a smirk: "Mom, there's a boy in my class who calls our friend 'Johna-sin.' That's funny, isn't it?" "Well, how do you say it?" I wondered. "Johna-fin," was his confident reply. I think there is something deep and deeply human going on here. Specks and logs[i] come to … Continue reading Mirrors
Pay attention. We hear it often as children. As adults, we probably need to hear it more than the children do. Children are usually excellent at paying attention; they just tune out what they are not interested in hearing. I wonder if Paying Attention is one of the signs that we are really alive, not … Continue reading On Paying Attention
Jessica Sanborn 