As I write these words, it is Valentine’s Day. Stores, classrooms, and tv’s are filled with hearts and candy and lovey-dovey, ooey-gooey-ness. As a child I loved this day. Making the “mailbox” for your desk was fun. Choosing and writing valentine cards was my favorite! I remember agonizing over which Strawberry Shortcake card to share with which friend; do I share “you’re the best” with Kristie or Shannon? They both are nice!
My partner, husband, friend and valentine, Doug, and I have never celebrated this day so much. With two birthdays in our family, including his, the week before, we have already had our share of sugary cake and some time together. We decided a long time ago that we preferred to have regular “together” days throughout each month (weekly was our hope) rather than trying to do something “big” on a holiday. It is important to celebrate the special days and to make special days simply to celebrate our life together (however that looks at the moment) and our care for one another.
In our lectionary readings, the Transfiguration of Jesus is coming up. This is when he goes up on the mountain to pray and his appearance changes to dazzling white. The disciples witness this change, they see Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah, and they hear a voice say, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!” [Luke 9:28-43]. I am using The Upper Room Disciplines for my devotional reading time. The author for next week says, about this passage, “Jesus shines with God’s glory, but then he gets back to work. Consider how God might transform you to do better the work you are already doing for God.”
As I have pondered this question, I keep coming back to prayer. How does God transform me? Well, if I pray, God listens and responds, that’s a way God may transform me. Typically, I have looked for alone time and quiet moments to pray. And I have prayed as I unloaded the dishwasher, saying the names of those on my heart as I placed each cup or plate in the cabinet overhead. I have also made silent retreat days and trips a part of my life, but those have been hard in recent times with closure of spaces. As life has changed over the past two years, I find I am in need of resetting discipline, committing to a regular time, a set aside time, to be quiet and pray. Honestly, the schedule of life has been so erratic, I’m simply craving a real routine in all of life!
Recently, I ran across an article by Roger Owens called “Four Marks of the Busy Contemplative Leader.” These four marks are attentiveness (staying in the moment in order to be Christlike), patience (waiting, knowing the Holy Spirit is at work), playfulness (spying new adventures and embracing experimentation), and prayer. Roger characterizes his morning scripture and prayer time as “unlocking the back door.” He may or may not have a revelation in those 30 minutes, yet he has given God the ability to sneak in his back door anytime during the day God wants to. And that’s what we want: openness, accessibility to God’s way, God’s voice, gentle nudges to show us where and when and how. Without some time set aside, we might forget to unlock the door no matter how much we intended to do that one thing.
Roger Owens has written the book “Everyday Contemplative” which I may have on my “to read” shelf soon. We might see in his title and well as in his article that we are Christians day by day, being transformed by God every day, whether we see it or not. So many things happen little by little in life we don’t recognize them. Daily prayer opens the door, offering easier access for God to us and us to God. And in these little ways, we are transformed, our appearance may even change. And when we change, our work for God may also change for the better. I suspect we align with God better, are sculpted a little more like Christ in our words and our ways.
I wonder . . . have you unlocked the back door that God may enter in? I’m going to go check mine right now! How might you open the door for God in your life a bit more?
I recently found a group online who prays together each morning and each evening. It’s not earth-shattering, but it feels like community and offers a regular connection. In a recent survey many of our colleagues felt the need for community more acutely than ever. It is a regular part of my prayers for you that you would have a group who loves you, understands your role, and supports you. If you are a clergyperson, this is vital. Please reach out if you are searching for connection points and people.
During Lent I will offer sometimes to pray together via ZOOM, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8am. Join me, clergy and laity, for a brief time of prayer and reflection together. We will open the room at 7:45am to say “good morning”, start at 8 and close between 8:20 and 8:30. All are welcome. Please join and share the link as you are able.
May the peace of Christ be with you all this day.
Tara
If you would like to view past editions of Time with Tara, follow this link:
https://harbordistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/