Harborview Spiritual Care Sundays

"When I wake up in the morning- regardless of the temperature, whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring- I go outside. I speak aloud to the predawn darkness or the tail end of the moon just kissing the edge of the horizon or the 9 a.m. bright sun of a sleep-in Saturday morning. I say, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I say it out loud because I’m groggy. I say it out loud because I’m speaking it and hearing it.    And I don’t just say it once. As the cobwebs and sleepy confusion start lifting from my brain, I keep saying that phrase, accenting different syllables, placing varying degrees of importance on different words.     “ This  is the day that the Lord has made.”  This -  the one I’m in right now. Not yesterday. As much as I want to reach back and relive something or reminisce or bring back somebody who’s gone or feel what I once felt- that’s all in the past. I can’t reach it, I can’t touch it, I can’...

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace . I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30, The Message  Below are some lovely images I recently found on an Instagram post that speak to these "unforced rhythms of grace." Grateful to be learning some of these things together with you all in this season. 

The blessing below was written by Jan Richardson (the same author who wrote the blessing that the residents said over us on our first day at orientation-- " The Blessing of the Threshold "). I mentioned this one below in sharing my story with you all on Thursday, and I also thought it was a perfect read for us with Valentine's Day just around the corner. Happy Sunday!  These are the names I wrote down in your honor after listening  to your beautiful stories on our Story Day on Thursday...  Dear Wisdom Keeper (Taylor), Deep Well Dancer (Margi), Soul Gardener (Mele), Tender Glance of God (Regina), Gentle Noticer (Tim),  may these words below sink deep into your souls this week....    Beloved Is Where We Begin If you would enter into the wilderness, do not begin without a blessing. Do not leave without hearing who you are: Beloved, named by the One who has traveled this path before you. Do not go without letting it echo in your ears, and if you find it is hard...

Dear friends,  There have been a number of things this past week that have come to mind that I wanted to share with you. I thought I'd create a little blog to capture them and send you something once a week as a grounding practice. With this format, it will be easy for you to go back and find something if it spoke to you in some way, shape, or form. Some weeks, there may be things that resonate with you and others that do not. Take what you like, and leave the rest.... Mostly, this is just a way for me to try to bring a bit of encouragement to our group each week and to let you know how grateful I am to be a part of this learning community.  So, welcome to Spiritual Care Sundays!  This is the song I mentioned in one of our debriefing discussions. Enjoy...  I want to be where my feet are I want to breathe the life around me I want to listen as my heart beats Right on time… I want to be where my feet are I chase my worries I flee my sorrows But what you give me Is now ...