Category: Spiritual Journey Thursday

The bloom where you are planted
plaque on my Grandma’s wall led me
here. Here, to this stage in life,
privileged to be blooming old. 

We sang this song on Sunday, the verses were in Spanish, but we sang the chorus in English. (I’ve been attending a Spanish language service for several months.)

All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

(On a side note: As we sang, I realized the beauty of singing and worshiping in my native language; I’m rarely touched by the Spanish lyrics because I’m working so hard to figure out what they are saying.)

I will sing of the goodness of God.

When I ask myself, What about the devastation, the sadness, the unfairness in life? I just have to answer, I don’t know, but with every breath that I am able (and I’m not always able, I admit) I will sing of the goodness of God. I would rather do that than the alternative. Like Peter, I say, “Where else would I go?” (John 6:68)

As I spend time in nature, especially during the springtime, I am reminded of the goodness of life and the goodness of God. Even in the heartbreak and havoc of this world.

On here Spiritual Journey Thursday post, Carol shared this quote from Kohayashi Issa, “A world of grief and pain. Flowers bloom, even then.” Yes, indeed.

Peace to you all in this season, especially to Carol V., who lost her dear husband last month, and to Patricia F., whose father died this week. Carol Varsalona is hosting this month at her Beyond Literacy Link blog.

Margaret Simon at Reflections on the Teche is hosting the Spiritual Journey Thursday group today. 

Last year my one word was Cherish. In the final quarter of 2024, I could not cherish all that came my way. It’s been a bleak chapter.

I considered going a different direction for 2025 and choosing the word resist. I wanted to resist the claptrap, crimes, and corruption that are sure to take place in America’s 2025, but I decided against that word. Of course, I do want to resist and stand up to injustice and chaos, but I also need something hopeful, to rebuild my faith in God and a good future. Therefore, I’m choosing regenesis (n. renewal; new birth). This will be my one word for 2025 because I need to be renewed in my spirit and start fresh in this next chapter of my life. (Perhaps it can also be a prayer for a healthy regenesis of our country’s politics, as well.)

Renew and reimagine
Each new day.
Gently hold on.
Emerge anew–
Nascent in my
Elderly promise.
Springboard to
Impel a new
Spirit within.

Kim Johnson is hosting this month at Common Threads.

wintering

the coldest season
of the year approaches and
we will face winter

wintering is to
“pass the winter in some place”
(Etymonline.com)

like mourning the loss
of a beloved baby girl,
worrying about

the ugliness of
our world, the war, the senseless
slaughter of innocents,

deception-chaos-
hatred in our country, waning
faith, and hopelessness

Is there still hope? How
can we winterize our pain?
I choose to believe.
God is not weary.

I read Isaiah chapter 40 today, a passage full of hope. Here are the last few verses:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary;
His understanding is beyond searching out.
He gives power to the faint
and increases the strength of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength;
they will mount up with wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint.