Life Lessons from the Crocus Flower

Mother Nature has been very unpredictable lately - at least from my observation here in Spokane, WA. Last week I was very aware of that fact as the weather went from freezing temperatures one day, to a lovely spring like day the next, and then to snow and torrential rains in the days to follow.
When it was still so cold with the thermometer reading in the 30s outside I spied one of the first signs of Spring ... some lovely crocuses up and out of the ground! Shortly after that I was out walking and started thinking of how brave those little flowers are! They are the first flowers to poke their heads out of the soil despite the threat of more cold weather and even snow. They give our world some hope of better weather, a new season and adding a splash of beauty to the dismal grey! The next to come are the daffodils and tulips - bigger flowers, but not the first.

There is a good lesson to learn from that little flower (the crocus) for us human beings ... maybe even a challenge to embrace. Am I a person who is willing to brave the elements to be true to growth and to life yearning inside of me and make a difference somewhere or to someone? To take a risk at something new or different? To stand up for something if if I am the only one? Or, do I shy away preferring to "bloom" later like the daffodil or tulip when it seems safer?

We are still in the season of Lent. Maybe during these last days of Lent it might be a good idea to reflect on where and how God is calling me/you to grow or go forward into something even if the "weather" isn't ideal .... trusting that God's light will guide and help in the process.

God's Life Abounds!

"Everything that lives is holy, life delights in life."
~ William Blake 1757-1827

As we continue in this beautiful Easter Season, I wish you many blessings!
It has taken awhile, but it seems spring is finally making it to Portland. I love this beautiful season even if it causes a bit of a challenge to the allergies....

This has to be a quick post as I need to leave shortly for a five night stay up in the Seattle area. I'm heading up for several meetings next week, but first I am looking forward to a fun weekend to be with family and to help my great nephew celebrate his First Holy Communion! On Saturday morning St. Monica Church is going to be "a buzz" as 74 children participate in this First Communion - it will be a wonderful celebration! A good contrast to a couple of billboards I have been passing on my way to work each day...
I have been a bit disturbed by these billboards that say, "You don't need God to hope...to love...to care...to live". I know that there is and can be a lot of hope, love and care that non-believers have and show, but my question is about the "to live" part. I deeply believe that to live, to have life is so much a gift from the One who created us! I believe that our good and loving God has created all of life ... I have experienced too many affirmations and confirmations in my life to doubt God's presence. God's life and love abounds!
As I look around me every day at the miracle of life that surrounds me, especially during spring and in this Easter Season of new life, I pray and proclaim as St. Francis of Assisi did:
"Most high, all-powerful, all-good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour and all blessing .... All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made ...through Sister Earth, our mother, who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs ..." All praise be yours my God! Touched by Your hand, O God, our world is holy!

Finding Treasures in the Gutter

It has been a good three weeks since I last wrote and that is way too long! My days have been full and involved with several trips to the Tacoma/Seattle area, visits to schools and a week in Spokane, WA at my alma mater, Gonzaga University, where I was helping with a Busy Person (Student) Retreat on campus ... a great week! The life of a vocation director ~ never a dull moment! Here the season of Lent is almost over and I feel like it has just begun because of so much activity and not enough reflection time ............................... I do find snippets of time and graced God moments along the way in my days though which I cherish and for which I am grateful. The whispers of God's voice come not only during my personal prayer time, but also in the miles of driving, often without the radio or CDs playing and almost always during my regular walks. So, this week the debris along the curbs in the gutter spoke to me and gave me fodder for reflection. There are not many sidewalks in my neighborhood so I usually walk in the street along the side. Lately, with so many rainy days the gutter along the curb can be kind of muddy and messy with leaves, sticks, candy wrappers, cigarette butts and tree cones (in the northwest they are usually fir cones). Every now and then though, ahh ha, I find a penny, a nickel, a quarter, or a pretty little flower growing! Treasures in the muck! I always stop and pick up the money, even the pennies with the reminder that, "In God We Trust". So, where did my reflection on my Monday walk take me? With this being Lent, the debris in the gutter reminds me of the "messyness" of my life sometimes ... how cluttered things can get ... It is important to take time (like this Lenten time) to get the broom out, or take the hose to clean things up a bit so there is a newness or freshness that will allow God to flow in and through me. In the process I might discover a treasure that was hiding under the clutter or in negativity... an insight, a new ability, a calmed fear about a project, an understnading to a problem ... What is a treasure that desires to be revealed to you as we move towards the end of Lent into the glorious season of Easter? The earth is getting ready for Easter, newness is all around. I pray that is happening in your life and mine as well!

What’s in your (wallet) heart today?!?

Continued GREETINGS of the EASTER Season!
Do you still have an Easter Alleluia ringing in your heart? It is hard to believe that we are now in the fourth week of Easter... we are still in the Easter season though! Spring has really blossomed in the Portland area and it is wonderful to see all the signs of new life that abound .... signs of Resurrection indeed! In St. Francis' words ..."Most high, all-powerful, all-good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour and all blessing..."
God gives us so many signs of love and presence .... This past Saturday I was given two opportunities to pause and reflect on God's presence in my life, and in the beautiful world around me/us. The first "pause" was during a prayer/faith sharing time at a Community meeting I was at. Then, later in the day, the opportunity arose at the Saturday evening vigil Mass that I attended when we took a few moments after the homily to share with the person next to us. It was good and is good to take time like that now and then ... to become aware of the divine presence within and without!

In trying to learn a little more of the capabilities of this blog spot so I can share some links and videos that I find, I am experimenting. I've added a video to this blog! My niece sent me some "how to" directions last week, and a young friend helped me today, so I have inserted a You Tube video I think you might enjoy.As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season remember "Jesus lives, Alleluia"!



I hoped you liked it!? Recently I came across a saying I wrote down a long time ago and so close this entry with the wise words of William Blake (1757-1827): "Everything that lives is holy, life delights in life."
Let us delight in each other and our holy world that our loving God has gifted us with...
If you still might like more spiritual type thoughts for your day, check out the blog from the Franciscan Spiritual Center-Milwaukie, OR
Until my next writing ....Peace and Blessings!