Recalibrating Practices: How will you G-R-O-W this year?

Every year I choose a word as a theme to recalibrate around. But, as a woman flooded with words, it’s swollen in the past few years into an acronym : G-R-O-W.

Gratitude. Resilience. Obedience. Wonder.

(In 2021, I’m going to make it G-R-O-W-L because we all need some laughter. Every day.)

These words are part of my current “rule of life,” a spiritual practice which serves as as a way to set a sacred pace for your life. (More on developing a “rule of life” in an upcoming newsletter.)

G-R-O-W jelled when three friends from different seasons of my life who didn’t know each other gathered to help usher in my 60th birthday at the beach. One afternoon, we sat for a few hours with our feet in the sand and spoke about our biggest fears and desires as we stare down the second half (or last quarter in my case).

It was then I realized the things I fear are the flip side of what I most want.  

I fear ending up bitter, cynical, and judgmental. I fear II’ll give up on my dreams, deaden my longings, and become rigid and inflexible in my beliefs and habits. I fear I’ll lose my love for Jesus and rationalize or minimize my sin. I fear I’ll become bored, apathetic, tired, and joyless.

What do I most desire as I stare down my failures, confusion, disappointments? I want to be grateful every day, to keep going and trying new things. (Which means I want to keep failing.) I want to love Jesus more and respond to him out of love not as a means to an end. I want to live a life of wide-eyed joy in the mysteries and beauty of life. And I want to laugh uncontrollably—tears streaming and unable to catch my breath—with those around me.

For the next few posts, I will explore G-R-O-W-L. Starting with:

GRATITUDE 

Henri Nouwen writes, “Gratitude is the awareness that life in all its manifestations is a gift for which we want to give thanks. The closer we come to God in prayer, the more we become aware of the abundance of God’s gifts to us. We may even discover the presence of these gifts in the midst of our pains and sorrows. The mystery of the spiritual life is that many of the events, people, and situations that for a long time seemed to inhibit our way to God become ways of being united more deeply with him. What seemed a hindrance proves to be a gift. Thus, gratitude becomes a quality of our hearts that allows us to live joyfully and peacefully even though our struggles continue.”

There are wonderful podcasts, Ted Talks, and apps which can help retrain your brain to gratitude. I love the Five Minute Journal because I can do it in two minutes a day and add a photo. It’s good to have a place to skim back and remember that life isn’t so bad.

Ron Rolheiser, OMI writes, “Gratitude is the ultimate virtue, undergirding everything else, even love. It is synonymous with holiness. Gratitude not only defines sanctity, it also defines maturity. We are mature to the degree that we are grateful. But what brings us there? What makes for a deeper human maturity?” He then lists 10 ways we need to address to embrace gratitude. I’d love to know which most resonates with you.

He writes, “God is a prodigiously-loving, fully-understanding, completely-empathic parent. We are mature and free of false anxiety to the degree that we grasp that and trust that truth.”

 Start with just soaking in some of h the many Scriptures on thankfulness, like Colossians 3:12-17. Before going to bed, write down 1-3 small or big things you’re grateful for that day. Or take a photo a day of one thing you’re grateful for. Or thank someone (with specific reasons why you’re thankful) once a day (at least!)

Please let me know your gratitude habits.

Next up: Resilience!

Recalibrating Practices: Wake Up and Root Down

Aligning Your Spiritual Posture

It’s not my mother’s fault. She told me to stand up straight. But after years slouching over my computer keyboard, I confess I am a “slumper.” A slumper who also is easily distracted and frets too much.

Because of that, I developed a recalibrating practice I call my “morning stand,” a way to engage my whole body to anchor my scattered soul as well as straighten my sagging posture.

As one “prone to wander” spiritually and emotionally, taking my morning stand has helped “bind my wandering heart” to God. For those, like me, who may be scattered or sagging, I offer this practice.

To recalibrate your soul and stretch your body, try this simple five-minute wake-up routine integrating Scripture, movement, and prayer.

First, while lying in bed, breathe deeply and remember who you are: This is your beloved son/daughter (and state your name). Pause and exhale: In whom you are well pleased. Luke 3:22 (Truth note: For all who are believers in Christ, this how God now sees us.)

Then, sit up and gently stretch your neck and shoulders and repeat three biblical truths:

• I am made in the image of God (and so is everyone I will interact with today) 

• I am part of the plan of God (therefore, what I do today has purpose and meaning).

• I am filled with his Holy Spirit.

Next, stand and plant the four corners of both feet on the floor, imagining tree roots growing down, life flowing up. Lengthen your spine, aligning and stretching from your toes through your neck and head.

 Pray from Ephesians 3:17-19 (adapted from The Message):

I ask You that with both my feet planted firmly and rooted deeply in love, I'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

Roll your shoulders up and back and stretch your arms wide, thinking of the love of Christ shown on the Cross, and the vulnerability of being fully open, heart and body, to the world. Breathe slowly and deeply.

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Then, lower your arms and place your palms down. Visualize gently dropping each of your deepest heart concerns and questions into the loving scarred hands of Jesus.

Pray, “I pour out all my worries and stress upon You and leave them there, for You always tenderly care for me.” (I Pet 5:7 TPT)

Turn your hands up in a receiving position. Picture God pouring his grace and mercy, power and love, wisdom and strength into your body and mind.

Pray, “You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control.” (2 Tim 1:7)

Repeat the Lord's prayer slowly, stopping where you most need it this day (praising Him, seeking His kingdom, yielding to His will, laying out daily needs, asking/giving forgiveness, resisting temptation, overcoming evil). 

Finally, lift your head in a way which will balance a crown and remember the truth that He has crowned you with His steadfast love and mercy and remind yourself that you are the son or daughter of the King of Kings ready for this new day. (Ps. 103:4)

Note 1: For those of you who wake with a toddler’s finger poking in your eyeball, the alarm ringing in your ear after too little sleep, or late before you even leap from bed, don’t give up. To remember who you really are, what is true about you, and rooting deeply in the love of Christ can be done at any hour. The releasing of our deepest concerns and fears into Christ’s hands can be done on repeat (since I tend to reel mine back in after casting them onto the Lord). Just like we need to continue adjusting our physical posture, we can keep training our spiritual stance.

Note 2: When I’m tempted to uproot from love because of pain and doubt, I’m reminded of Henri Nouwen’s words.

“Do not hesitate to love and to love deeply. You might be afraid of the pain that deep love can cause. When those you love deeply reject you, leave you, or die, your heart will be broken. But that should not hold you back from loving deeply. The pain that comes from deep love makes your love even more fruitful. It is like a plow that breaks the ground to allow the seed to take root and grow into a strong plant. Every time you experience the pain of rejection, absence, or death, you are faced with a choice. You can become bitter and decide not to love again, or you can stand straight in your pain and let the soil on which you stand become richer and more able to give life to new seeds.”