The unofficial story of how I came to be me takes into account the highs and lows of a number of cross-cultural transitions, the very real joys and challenges of becoming a mother and parenting two girls, and the winding path of spiritual formation framed by these experiences. Our life is one of language-learning, cultural transition, wrestling with a sense of belonging to more than one place, and many adventures. I write about all this on the blog, which helps me to process and to deepen the learning and the gifts these experiences offer.
LIFE IS A STORY
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6 ideas for advent
This year has held a lot of waiting for many of us and, during Advent, we enter more deeply into this experience of waiting. Indeed, waiting is a posture that marks us as the people of God. So how might we enter into this Advent season of waiting with intention, the better to process our own waiting in light of the larger story?
In this post I suggest 6 resources for you to try. Read more ...
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finding stability
Does anyone else find the lack of certainty of this season just a bit disempowering? ‘What can I do?’ we ask ourselves. And the answer is, ‘nothing.’ Nothing but wait. Well, not quite nothing. Perhaps there are in fact some things we can do in seasons of uncertainty in order to remain engaged, oriented towards hope, and attentive to the leading of the Spirit. Read more ...
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whole-person harmony
I recently shared some of my own story as a way to explain how I came to be on this journey towards an integration of the physical and non-physical parts of me, with my journey with God. After reading that post, someone asked me a great question: ‘What if I agree with everything you wrote?’ he asked. ‘What then?’ This post is in response to that question. Read more ...
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letting god look at you
Theologically, we know God is ‘other’ from us; we know He’s got his own personality, ideas and feelings, but living into that reality of God takes practice. I admit, too often, I pray to my idea of God, my image of God, or even experience God as an extension of myself, having my same thoughts, opinions, emotions. Our guest blogger offers 5 steps from St Ignatius to see God and be seen by him. Read more ...
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life with God is lived in your body
We were never meant to live this life in our bodies as if the physical part of us is outside our relationship with Father, Son and Spirit. This is about more than praying when we get sick - it's about being renewed in our thoughts and attitudes towards our physical life, a renewal that is the work of the Spirit. Read more ...
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5 ways to seek god
In this season of racial tension, I find myself more aware than usual of my great need for God - my personal need and our shared need for salvation. I feel this desperate longing for God to show up, to bring about redemption of what has been stolen, healing for deep wounds, and goodness in this place of great complexity. I suggest 5 ways for us to seek God in a season like this one. Read more ...
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grow more: keep a journal
The formational effects of journalling are simple, yet profound. This is an easy practice to implement, yet can have far-reaching effects in people’s personal growth and in building community. Richard Foster argues that spiritual practices “are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives.” I believe that is exactly what this personal and shared process of reflection and journaling can do for you too. Read more ...
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5 lessons: emerging from lockdown
Here in Spain we are beginning the slow process of emerging from strict lockdown. I am aware of this place in my heart that feels cautious. Not just because of how little can be predicted about the pandemic, but also because I don’t want us to miss the deep magic of the Spirit at work in these dark and bewildering days. Here are 5 lessons from my own confinement of the soul. Read more ...
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the gift of days
As we pass 40 days of home confinement, we still don't know how long this restricted way of doing life will go on - longer than any of us wish. It is a season that has already, and will continue to test us. To what extent are we willing to let go of what was, to release what might be, and to be in the truth of this day? And as we do that, what kind of people will we choose to be? Read more ...
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letter from lockdown
Over a period of a few short weeks, we have experienced a radical shift in our normal ways of life. While this has provoked a lot of fear, could it be that we are invited into an adventure, to discover in new ways the One who is not surprised at the current state of the world, and who is always moving towards us in compassionate and redeeming love? Read more ...
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how a spiritual director can help
I have found it so helpful to have someone I meet with regularly who is helping me to reflect on what is going on in my life. It is helping me to grow as I become more aware of the ways God is with me to teach me, love me, and make his presence known to me in my ordinary, everyday experiences. I am sure you would find it helpful too! Watch the video ...
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word for lent: wilderness
At some point, it seems we all have to pass through a time of wilderness. Everything gets a bit dried out, the path seems rocky, we look in vain for the greening of the landscape that we believe will put everything right again ... May the wilderness do its inimitable work in you and in me. Read more ...
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a poem for ash wednesday
For many who go to more traditional churches, today is the day they will receive the 'imposition of ashes.' I did not grow up in a context where we practiced these ways of engaging our bodies in these ways of rehearsing our story with God. These days, though, I have come to appreciate that something deeply formative happens when I bring my body to the process of being with Jesus. Read more ...
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what's your fault line?
This weekend I was chatting with a friend who is an athletics coach. He commented that every athlete has an area of weakness, an achilles heel if you will. But he called it a ‘fault line’ - that place where all the training and hard work is most likely to break down. In Christian formation, it reminds me of the way we become known for our habitual hang-ups or ingrained behaviour patterns. Read more ...
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the hiding place
I have realised that there is something so renewing for me to switch off from the constant round of emails and social media exchanges, the mental awareness that what I am doing right now could be presented to others as a story, or a post, or a photo update, the subconscious wondering about how my life could be perceived by others. Read more ...
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passivity & preparation
Advent is a time when we practice waiting. We press more deeply into what it means to wait and to trust that God is bringing about something good that we cannot make happen for ourselves. We posture ourselves to receive his goodness, without striving as though we were ultimately responsible to bring it about. Read more ...
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what is your invitation?
Often, in spiritual direction, we talk about invitations. We wonder together at the invitations you might be sensing from God in a particular situation. We ponder how you might want to respond to these invitations. This week, I found myself wondering about invitations that come to us in ways we wouldn’t choose. Those undesired invitations, if you will. Read more ...
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parachute hospitality
Something within me responded to the generous-hearted love that was expressed across the table. The love of one person who seeks to make his home in a culture that is not his own ... and the love of the person who welcomes this willingness to bend to the form of the receiving culture, and who walks alongside to make sure that what is bent is not broken. Read more ...