May love guide our steps

On my walk this morning, the geese are huddled, no doubt wishing they had headed south for the winter.
“I get it,” I tell them.
And since the geese weren’t in a hurry to scurry off, I decided a brief homily wouldn’t hurt.
But first I tell them about a friend’s question, “After your time in Tucson this past week, what’s the first thing you did when you got back home to the PNW?’ And my answer, “I shoveled snow off the front walkway and porch, so I could get into the house.”
So, I talk with the geese a wee bit about the weather. And then, I tell them that some days, I don’t want to read the news. At least not until after lunch. I tell them it feels like our world convulses with uncertainty and anxiety.
I tell them that some days I don’t know what to write for Sabbath Moment, and have trouble finding the words. They stare, seeming to listen to me (I think because of the cold weather), but with a passive gaze. I smile big, and tell them it feels like I’m preaching to the Vashon sheep (or maybe Episcopalians), which doesn’t seem to affect them.
Here’s what I do know. They did my heart good. And for that, I’m very grateful.
I’m writing this, now back in front of the fireplace, with my coffee, and glad to be here. Pull up a chair.
I am well aware that some of my anxiety is from the temptation, that in order to inspire and encourage, one must find remedies in tidily packaged mental pictures. It’s just that life doesn’t work that way. Forrest Gump voiced it best for all of us. “Mama always said dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn’t.”

But here’s what I do know, gratefully, with all my heart.
One. In the midst of competing anxieties, I want to fully embrace the gift of the sacrament of the present moment.
There’s a Hopi word: koyaanisqatsi. For most of us it’s easy to relate to: it means “living life out-of-balance.” When we’re all doing, without any not-doing, we’re out-of-balance human beings. Half alive. Half here.
Here’s my prayer:
I want to be awake, in this life,
in this moment,
the very one I am living today.
Precarious? Indeed. Which is why this life is so much more precious.
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s affirmation, “Enumerating the gifts you’ve received creates a sense of abundance, the knowing that you already have what you need. Recognizing ‘enoughness’ is a radical act in an economy that is always urging us to consume more.” (The Serviceberry)
A Sabbath Moment reader wrote this week, “There is something about the light I am guessing, relishing the warmth on my face. An invitation to explore, saunter, sit, savor, grin (with no real reason necessary), soak up oomph, point, laugh out loud, and refuel.” Sacred present indeed. It’s Thomas Merton’s reminder that spiritual life is not about hiding from life or avoiding it, the spiritual life is about life, and how we live it, every day.
Yes, and Amen. The gift of enough is truly honoring self-care.

Two, “Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others.” Thank you, Parker Palmer.
So. It begins here: No matter how small, what replenished (and nourished) you today?

And three. From a grounded self, the gift of light spills. Yes, even, and especially, in an uncertain and anxious world. This world.
I was raised in a religious tradition that mandated conversion, which punched my ticket for the afterlife. I was frequently asked what I would do if I died today. I was never once asked what I would do if I lived.
But what if conversion is about living this life, today, with my whole heart?
“We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full,” Marcel Proust wrote. So, we wake up to this life, fragile and exquisitely beautiful, embracing the sacred present.
“When old patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” Tuli Kupferberg wrote. In other words, when I’m not preoccupied (held captive by angst), I notice, I pay attention, I see.
And this is the best part: in taking ownership of my life, this life, I am available. Enabled by enoughness (the gift of sufficiency), and not frightened by scarcity, I’m not enticed to ask, “what do I need today?”
Rather, I can ask, “what do others need today?”
You see, I have both resources and assets to give…
A listening ear. Empathy.
Calm demeanor. Shout out to a friend.
Words of consolation.

Garrison Keillor once reflected on the church of his youth: “We had a surplus of scholars, and a deficit of peacemakers.” I would argue, that is a ratio which needs to be reworked.
And then we read this from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, “So; chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
I like the paradigm shift. We are not mandated to design or create or assemble the wardrobe. Only that we inhabit the wardrobe we’ve been given.
And here’s the good news; every single one of us have been endowed and equipped, because every single one of us has been given the name, peacemaker.
Too good to be true? I can relate. So, too often, I settle for less. Because, “That can’t be me,” I tell myself.
Which begs the question; in this churning and uncertain environment, from where do we draw our identity, and our character?
I know this to be true: the bottom line is that I would like to be known as a peacemaker. A non-anxious presence. And that sounds like a pretty good way to live.

For all Super Bowl fans (or maybe those who prefer the commercials), congrats to the Philadelphia Eagles.
And getting ready for Valentine’s Day. And let’s not forget; even if it’s a neighbor or a friend, everyone could use a chocolate or a rose (or two).

Quote for our week…
“Dear God, May we find the strength to heal, the courage to fight for what matters, and the wisdom to cherish those we love in the present moment. May love guide our steps, even through loss, uncertainty, and change. Amen.” Maria Shriver

BULLETIN BOARD

Today’s Photo Credit: “Hello Terry, After some days of drenching with more headed our way, today is a gloriously sunny gift. My callas are beginning to bloom and my daphne has been perfuming the back garden for a month already. How they lift my spirit! One day at a time,” Mary Ajideh… Thank you Mary… And thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com 

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Help make Sabbath Moment possible. I write SM because I want to live with a soft heart; to create a place for sanctuary, empathy, inclusion, compassion and kindness… a space where we are refueled to make a difference. SM remains free.
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Audio, oldie but goodie– It is better to light a candle
Join us every Wednesday… Audio Sabbath Moment
Letters that do my heart good…
–Hi Terry, I am so very grateful to you for offering this amazing complimentary e-course (This Is The Life)! It nourished me beyond words and I will go back to different sessions to re-nourish. Because we forget the simplest, most rewarding gifts that surround us daily and your words and quotes and photos remind us of God being in everything.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With sincere thanks, Marge
–Terry, I need to email you again to say thank you. I read your post pretty much every day and then listen to the Wednesday whenever you do that and I wanna let you know that it does help me through the day help other people through their days I think the helpers need help so that they can help others maybe what you say every time on your post or walking each other home is really very very true; truer than we know anyway, I just thought I’d let you know. Thinking of you. Hope you recover from whatever you’re recovering from well. You take good care. Stephen
–A clarion call to call creatives to rise up and speak truth thru grace and beauty.
You do this. Your words so often my inspiration. Keep sharing! Jan
–Hi, Terry, I forwarded Sabbath Moment to my friend who is having a rough time right now. I do enjoy these reflections. They are just the thing to get my day started. Bless you for sharing your spirituality with so many. Sr. Eileen
–Thank you for this beautiful, insightful message. With all that is going on in the country, I find myself vacillating back and forth between anger and despair. Your message has shaken me off the pendulum. I/we are called to be a light in the darkness and it begins with self-care; that we might become focused and go forth to serve one another. Tony
–So glad you are here in Tucson when we are having such pleasant weather. Tohono Chul is truly a haven and I have loved its peaceful and all natural healing properties for all these  years (and more!). Thank you for always uplifting the mornings with your thoughts, insights and inspiration, Terry. Welcome to Tucson! Michaele
–I always enjoy the oldie but goodies (audios)!  I keep your CDs in my car, so I’ll still have them with me on the road. Patti