The Open Road…

Eleven Days. That is all the time that I have. Eleven days until I end my time here at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU). On May 19, I will graduate from MVNU, closing the chapter on one part of my life and opening a new chapter.

Five years have I spent here at MVNU. It has been a challenging five years in many respects, and it has been a time of unparalleled growth. I have grown and matured in my faith in ways that I never expected as I set foot on this campus for the first time as a freshman, that warm September day in 2007. Now as I prepare to take my first step off of this campus as a college grad, I step onto an open road that leads into my future, wherever it goes I do not fully know.

I can’t help but feel a mixture of odd emotions and feelings. I am excited at the prospect of doing something new. I am afraid at the prospect of the unknown. As I move forward, I am stepping out onto that open road, where it goes I do not fully know. I have no road map or GPS to guide me. However, I know that whatever lies ahead on that open road, Christ is already there, waiting for me. That gives me great comfort and encouragement.

Though I do not fully know what my future holds, I find strength in knowing that Christ is already there. This gives me the strength to take that first step.

This summer I begin anew. I begin to live life more fully integrated into society as an adult. I have plans and I pray that those plans match up with God’s plans for my life. I have a general idea where this open road leads, but I do not know what hills, valleys, turns, or detours lie on it.

This Fall, I plan on attending Ashland Theological Seminary. While there, I hope to pursue and obtain a Masters of Divinity in Practical Theology. This degree will have a concentration on Spiritual Formation. I feel that God has invited me to pursue this degree in order to be more prepared for the vocation that He has set apart for me.

I believe that Christ has a vocation set apart for me to serve young adults in either a church or a college setting. I can’t help but feel as though I am meant to provide spiritual guidance, mentor-ship, and direction for young adults. What will this look like? I have no clue. I just feel that this is what Christ has invited me to do. I pray that I can respond fully to this invitation.

Perhaps I will provide retreats for young people. Perhaps I will meet one-on-one with young people, listening to what God has placed on their hearts, offering up guidance and direction. Perhaps I will listen to the concerns and struggles on their hearts, offering up advice and encouragement. Perhaps I will be an associate pastor, specifically for the young people of a congregation, or serve as a university chaplain. Perhaps it will be a mixture of these things. Perhaps it will be none of these things. The only one who knows for sure what it looks like is Christ.

I go forth on this open road trusting in Him. I go forth on this open road responding to His call as fully as I am able.

I go forth on this open road…

Ancient Faith in the 21st Century

Today I experienced my first Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Some of you are now scratching your heads wondering what I am involved with now. For some of you, those three words are completely new to you and you have no idea what they mean. Yet others of you are very familiar with what I speak of. For all of you, I will attempt to describe my experience. It is good to note that by far, I do not claim to be an expert of any kind, just a man on a journey to truth. This is merely my experience and chances are it was different than the others who were there as well.

Today started like any typical Saturday- alarm clock at 8:00, brew some coffee in my Keurig coffee maker, hop in the shower and listen to some music. Yet however ‘normal’ and ‘typical’ this Saturday started out, I knew that it would be a far cry from any previous Saturday’s I had recently experienced.

With my coffee mug in hand, I stepped out into the beautiful and glorious sunlight, greeted also by a cold breeze, the coffee giving off puffs of steam. I couldn’t help but smile as I climbed into my car and turned on some classical music. I put the car in reverse, and backing out of the parking spot on the campus of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, I couldn’t help but smile. As I drove off campus I thought to myself, “Bobby, today you are going to experience ancient faith in the 21st century.” With that, I was on my way to Perrysville, Ohio.

Some of you are now completely confused. Ancient Faith? 21st Century? Perrysville, Ohio- that very small and remote rural community in North Central Ohio? What in the world is Bobby talking about?

Indeed, Perrysville is a very small and remote rural community in North Central Ohio. Yes, it is home to acres upon acres of farmland. Yes it is in the middle of nowhere. But perhaps most important of all, it is home to St. Gregory Palamas Greek Orthodox Monastery. Very few people know about this treasure, hidden quite well in the rolling farmland of North Central, Ohio. It is truly a treasure, a gem, a sacred place where the soul can find rest and nourishment.

As I pulled into the drive, my soul smiled. I had been here only once before and it was for a private retreat over a weekend during the summer of 2010. It has nearly been two years, and it has been far too long. There were cars everywhere! I saw the main home of the Monastery, which looked like a typical farm house. But this sacred place did not look like a typical farm. Below the home, is the heart of this place- the chapel of St. Gregory Palamas Monastery.

Upon reaching the doors of the chapel, my heart smiled yet again. I stood before the red doors and prayed a few prayers. Upon entering this small and humble structure, I was transported back 2,000 years.

The chapel was packed. The beautiful fragrance of incense struck my nose, and the beautiful sounds of chanting entered my ears. My eyes gazed upon countless candles that were lit, beautiful iconography all around this humble place of worship, and immediately my soul, mind, and body were invited into a time of worship.

There were at least 100, if not more in this humble space. Most of the women had head coverings on, whether hats or scarves. Most of the women wore dresses or skirts, while Men wore shirt and tie, and several wore blazers. As the morning prayers came to a close and Divine Liturgy began, my mind, soul, and body entered ever more fully into this ancient form of worship. The faithful stood for most of the Divine Liturgy, which lasted around two hours. Once in awhile I would witness a person go forward and light a candle or two and place it in the candle stand, creating a very physical and tangible representation of their prayers. It was truly a moving experience.

At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh installed Fr. Joseph (a brother of the monastery) to now be recognized as Hieromonk Joseph, to lead and guide his brothers here at the monastery as a shepherd would lead and guide his flock, as a Priest would lead and guide his parish. It was truly an awesome experience to witness that!

As the Divine Liturgy proceeded, Metropolitan Savas celebrated the liturgy in several aspects including the homily/sermon. It was truly an inspired sermon and I gained much spiritual insight from it. For those who are not familiar with Greek Orthodoxy/Eastern Orthodoxy the structure is comparable to Roman Catholicism with some key differences. I will do my best to explain it, however I do not claim to be an expert of any kind. To see my description of this, please read the final paragraph of this post.**

Metropolitan Savas seemed like a man of God. He seems like he loves to serve God in and through His church. This became very evident as the Divine Liturgy continued and I saw him serving alongside brother Priest’s, including my friend and mentor Fr. Michael Ellis. As the moment to receive the Holy Eucharist arrived, my soul was deeply moved as I saw the faithful going forward and receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Several Priest’s from around Ohio were present to assist in this alongside Metropolitan Savas, and it was truly a powerful moment as I stood in the back and simply watched while my soul continued in a time of worship and prayer.

As the Divine Liturgy came to a close the faithful left the small chapel and headed to the recently built Trapeza, or refectory. We waited outside until Metropolitan Savas entered the building. It was very symbolic- almost like a shepherd leading his flock. Then again, that is what a Priest is, correct?

Inside was a delicious Lenten meal with delightful conversation. I had the chance to meet several people, one of whom I now consider a friend. He is a few years older than I am and we have very similar backgrounds. We exchanged emails and hope to continue talking and meeting from time to time. I am so thankful for that, Lord!

As the meal came to a close I said my goodbyes and headed home, already looking forward to my next time to visit this sacred place. The best part? That time is not too far off. I will be making a private retreat there March 23-26! Already, my soul looks forward to that time of rest, solitude, and silence.

In closing, I just want to thank you Lord, for inviting me to this sacred place today! It was such a deep rooted blessing to experience the Ancient Faith in the 21st century. It was such a blessing to worship and pray alongside brothers and sisters and it was such a blessing to meet new people and make a new friend. Your ways never cease to amaze me, O Holy One. I love you and I praise you.

**At the ‘head’ of Orthodoxy is the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who lives in Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The current Ecumenical Patriarch is Bartholomew. Those familiar with Catholicism may compare this with The Vatican City and Pope Benedict XVI. However, in Orthodoxy they do not place the Ecumenical Patriarch on as high a level as the Pope is placed in Catholicism. In Orthodoxy, there is a much more conciliar feel, for the view all of their Bishops, including the Ecumenical Patriarch, as equals- more like a brotherhood than a hierarchy. Structurally speaking however, beneath the Ecumenical Patriarchate there are several branches of Orthodoxy that are united under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Some of these are easily recognized: Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Antiochian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Greek Orthodox. Beneath these there and several more, there are more branches. Here in America there is a group known as SCOBA (Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas). Within this group belongs the following: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA, Roman Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church in America, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Acting Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America. As diverse as all of these sound, their worship is the same and their theology is the same. They are all part of the same body of believers known as Eastern Orthodoxy. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is headed by Archbishop Demetrios. The Archdiocesan headquarters and cathedral are in NYC, and beneath him structurally there are regions throughout America known as a Metropolis. In Catholicism, this could be compared to a Diocese of sorts. The Monastery of St. Gregory Palamas resides within the Metropolis of Pittsbugh, under the leadership of Metropolitan Savas. A Metropolitan is a Bishop. My apologies if I have made any greivous errors in the above information, I did my best to explain this in an understandable manner. I am no expert, nor do I claim to be. I am merely a man on a journey.

The Mosaic on the Wall

 

photo courtesy of freefoto.com

The below post was actually a reflection essay that I wrote for my English Capstone course, but I thought it was such a testament to my love of reading and writing that I would share it with each of you. I am sorry for being away so long. Enjoy.

The Mosaic on the Wall

“Warriors, warriors we call ourselves. We fight for splendid virtue, for high endeavor, for sublime wisdom, therefore we call ourselves warriors.” -Aunguttara Nikaya

From time to time, I stop what I am doing and I simply become. I simply sit and do nothing at all. Whatever thoughts or worries I have float in and out of my mind as water moves swiftly under a bridge. I simply become. During such times I focus on my breathing, the intake and expulsion of air. I listen to my own heartbeat once I have blocked out all other sounds. During this moment when I hear my own heartbeat, I take a long, honest look at my life. Once I can do this I marvel at the mosaic on the wall. I marvel at my own life being pieced together. I suppose books have impacted me the most over these past few years at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, and as such they have added the most squares to the mosaic on the wall.

In many aspects, the books I have read over my college years have become a great many things for me. Some of them have become great friends, others have become enemies. I reflect on books that make me smile, the memory I have of them is good: Puddn’head Wilson, Atonement, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pilgrim’s Progress, Power and the Glory, Ivanhoe, and perhaps most of all the plays of William Shakespeare. Others I think of in anger and perhaps disdain, my memories of them are not pleasant at all: Midnight’s Children, Joseph Andrews, Last of the Mohicans, and Charlotte Temple. Yet, this list is only scratching the surface.

Because of my exposure to a variety of books over the past few years, I have been given great gifts from each of them that I may recall and use at various points in my life down the road. I think of John O’Donohue when he wrote in Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom when he said, “It is strange to be here. The mystery never leaves you alone. Behind your image, below your words, above your thoughts, the silence of another world awaits” (O’Donohue, xv). This particular quote causes me to think of the now and not yet side of things. I think of where I am on a journey to, and what blessings will greet me there. Any serious Christian will think about eternity at some point in their lives, and this quote helps me to remember that no matter how difficult any given moment may become, there is a better day ahead. I think of Dan Millman when he wrote in his book Way of the Peaceful Warrior, “It’s time to stop gathering information from the outside and start gathering from the inside.” This particular quote gives me inspiraton that I need to take time and learn from myself and do things for pleasure once in awhile. I look forward to the day when school will be done and syllabi will no longer fully dictate what I dedicate my reading time to. In Frank MacEowen’s book, The Mist Filled Path, I recall that “the mist called to me when I was a child. In the early mornings, and sometimes at dusk, I would look out the window into the thick woods behind our…home, and a deep longing would fill my soul” (MacEowen, 3). Whenever I think of this quote, I think of my deep sense of seeking. I have always been a seeker, and this quote pretty much sums it up for me. I seek deeper meaning in just about everything I do, and I seek deeper meaning for myself.

Recently, I became fascinated with the environmentalist movement and ecocritical readings, and as such I find my personal libary now having a nice selection of books, fiction and non-fiction dealing with the environment in one way or another ranging from Celtic spirituality to essays on ecocriticism. One such book is a novel by Katherine Robers, and it is called Spellfall. Near the end of this novel, someone asks the protagonist, “Don’t forget us, Natalie, will you? There’s still a vacant seat on the Council. I hope you’ll fill it someday” (Roberts, 235). When I think of this quote I can’t help but insert my own name where Natalie’s is. I have always felt a deep sense that we are all called to do great things, and this line has helped me remember that.

Christmas has always been huge for me. Each December I go through a cycle of reading several books year after year: Shepherd’s Abiding (Jan Karon), The Christmas Train (David Baldacci),  and Empty Stockings (Denis Hamil). I think particularly of David Baldacci’s The Christmas Train when I think of the magical time Christmas is for me when he wrote that “around Christmas, it can be a good thing to believe in magic. You never know, your wish just might come true” (Baldacci, 288).

In closing, I can’t help but recall a friend who has changed my life over the past few months, and that friend is William Shakespeare. Sure he may have died 395 years ago, yet I can’t help but feel as though I know him. In his play, As You Like It, Jaques states that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages” (Orgel, 419). As I look ahead to the unknown future before me, this quote brings me bittersweet hope. Although graduation from college will be wonderful, I can’t help but feel a bit sad as I think about how I will miss this place. On the flipside of that I feel extremely excited at the prospect at what is yet to come in the unknown chapters ahead. People have walked into my life, and some have left and I know such is life. I am but one man, yet over the years of my life I will have several different roles to act in this play called life.

As I pause and reflect, and simply become I marvel at the mosaic on the wall. It is my life, being pieced together through the hands of family and friends, the memories of travels and spiritual disciplines, the words of authors and poets. I marvel at the mosaic on the wall.

Sources:

Baldacci, David. The Christmas Train. New York: Warner Books, 2002. Print.

MacEowen, Frank. The Mist-Filled Path. Novato: New World Library, 2002. Print.

Millman, Dan. Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Novato: New World Library, 2000. Print.

O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom. New York: Harper Perennial, 1997. Print.

Orgel, Stephen. The Complete Pelican Shakespeare. New York: Penguin Books, 2002. Print.

Roberts, Katherine. Spellfall. New York: The Chicken House, 2000. Print.

Time Well Spent…

Yesterday was a challenging day. I woke up with a slight headache, and I took a midterm for one of my college courses. I will be honest with you, it was a challenge. I left the class wanting nothing else other than to go back to my apartment and sleep, which I did by the way. After my nap, I didn’t feel much better. Sure, my headache was gone, but the memory of the midterm still lingered.

After awhile I decided to go to lunch with Ariana, a friend, and do some homework. I had to do a presentation on the Linguistic phase of literary theory (it was for a course entitled ‘Literary Criticism and Theory’). Talk about a class that is interesting! It’s a great course, and the professor is amazing. However the readings and the topics simply make my brain hurt, however I have learned so much in that class.

So as the day lenghtened, it turned into a pretty good day. By the time the sun hid it’s face below the Western horizon and by the time the moon allowed it’s face to shine, the day completely turned around. I had a great dinner with several friends, and laughter was key amidst the conversation we shared. I then went to Ariana’s apartment and watched a few episodes of ‘Modern Family,’ from their first season. Laughter reigned as we wathced Phil, Clair, Alex, Hailey, Luke, Jay, Gloria, Manny, Cam, Mitchell, and Lily live out their hilarious lives. Laughter seemed to be healing the first half of my day quite well and I greatly appreciated that fact.

After we watched ‘Modern Family,’ I went on a walk on the bike trail with Ariana and what a wonderful walk it was! We walked at least two miles and shared in great conversation. We discussed movies, the state of the Church, hilarious personal stories and experiences, reading and writing (we are both English majors), plans for midterm break, and many other topics. After awhile we decided to simply sit on a bench on the bike trail overlooking a corn field. By this time night had surely fallen, and yet we could still see quite well. I suppose the clouds helped with that, for they reflected the lights from Mt. Vernon, which allowed us to see. We talked for a couple of hours at least, and after awhile it started to rain, and we were at least a mile from the parking lot. However, I brought my large umbrella, and we sat under it for quite awhile still talking and simply listening to the rain fall upon the nature around us. It was a symphony of sorts, and the corn field was the stage. We heard crickets, birds, frogs, and the rhythmic pattern of the rain hitting the umbrella, ground, and trees. The corn field transformed into a mist covered and fog covered stage on which the symphony took place. After awhile it started to pour, and we decided to head back.

I’m not sure about you, but I know of no one but myself and Ariana who have ever sat on a bench on a bike trail, and walked a mile on that same bike trail during a downpour. It was fantastic, and it inspired me to continue working on a novel that I started three years ago. So as I spent a good majority of my evening (11pm-3am) working on my novel, listening to music, drinking coffee, and chatting with Ariana via ‘Facebook,’ I reflected on the day just past. Sure it started out difficult, however by the end of it I realized what an amazing day it was. My day was indeed time well spent.

I invite you to reflect on your day as it comes to a close later this evening. How was it? If it was challenging, I invite you to reflect on the simple moments that perhaps turned it around for you. I invite you to see how your day was time well spent…

Blink.

Every once in awhile I encounter a moment in my life in which my past comes rushing past me and my future gently knocks. Such moments bring me to a moment of deep contemplation and of reflection. I had one of those moments this past weekend, and it was a moment of thanksgiving.

This past Sunday I went to the church I was raised in. I went there with my parents, my sister, and my niece. We went for Homecoming. It had been at least six years if not more since I had last been to that church, and perhaps even longer for my parents and sister. We met my grandmother there, who is still an active member of that church. We also met my father’s other siblings- Uncle Danny and Aunt Elizabeth, my cousin and her two sons.

The worship was great, and the preaching was phenomenal. I saw so many familiar faces there that I had not seen in years and what a blessing it was. After the service we all broke bread together with a delicious thanksgiving style meal. It was great to catch up with many people who were spiritual role models for me as I grew up there, and it was great seeing former youth group members there at Homecoming as well.

After the day was spent and as I sat in my room later that evening pondering the events and happenings of the weekend, I couldn’t help but be a bit sad and happy at the sametime. I suppose that is what they call a bittersweet moment. I was sad because I realized how much I missed those amazing Christ-like people at Brookwood Way Church of Christ, and at the same time I was happy to see what the next chapter of my life holds in store for me. I was also sad because I realized how fast life moves. It seems like only yesterday when I was at Brookwood Way when I gave my first sermon, and yet here I stand nine or ten years later as a senior in college. Blink and everything changes.

Here I stand as a college senior, preparing for graduation in May. I know that by this time next year I will most likely be living on my own, and most likely out of Ohio, out of Mansfield at the very least. Next summer I will be packing my car and will be moving off to grad school. Perhaps my car will take me to Loyola University in Chicago. Maybe I will be moving to John Carroll University in Cleveland. There is the possibility that I will end up at Providence College in Rhode Island. Yet, I can’t help but imagine myself walking the halls with an open book in my hands at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. No matter what the Lord’s plans are, I can’t help but feel drawn to graduate school to study theology. I’m not sure where that will be just yet, but I have a feeling it will be out of Ohio. Blink and everything changes.

I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Blink and everything changes. I am now the very proud and loving uncle of a beautiful niece who turned one at the end of August. It seems like just yesterday when my sister and brother-in-law called and told me that I would be an uncle. This coming January, that call would have taken place two years ago. Blink and everything changes.

As I ponder this thought of ‘blink,’ I have begun to treasure every moment. Even the small moments can be beautiful. I no longer want to travel this thing called life with tunnel vision, instead I desire to keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart open to fully experience every moment. I want to fully experience every moment of life as if they are gifts, both blessings and curses, both high points and low points. As humans we experience all of this, and as such I want to fully experience it and see it with clear eyes, hear it with open ears, embrace it with open arms, and love it with an open heart. I no longer want to miss anything that I rush past, never giving it a second look. If I have ever rushed past you in my speeding frenzy, my sincerest apologies. I hope to never do that again. Instead, I hope to meet you where you are on the road of life so that perhaps we can travel life together.

I encourage you to do the same. Take a long honest look at your life right now. We are constantly in motion from who we were to who we can be. Look at where you have come from. Look to where you are going. In an instant, you will blink and all will change. Embrace the change. Embrace that blink…

Echoes From New York

This photo was taken by Bobby Rhea, the writer of this blog. It was taken on Tuesday 7 June 2011 as he sat with good friends in New York City.

I had dinner this evening, and a phenomenal conversation with a friend. We talked about many things ranging from music, to theater, writing and reading. We even discussed a four letter curse word that starts with the letter ‘s’ and describes a particular weather pattern that blankets Ohio in the winter months. Laughter was shared in common with the conversation, and it made it even better.

Conversation is extremely important to me. In a sense, the act of writing this and you reading it is a conversation. I tell you about my thoughts and experiences, and in turn you begin to think about your own life and experiences as it relates to what I am writing. In some instances, you might even feel compelled to leave a comment about what I wrote, either agreeing with me, disagreeing with me, or to just comment on the writing itself. Either way…we are in conversation.  

That’s what I love about spending time with people. When two people sit face to face and talk about life, we open our souls to the possibility of growth. What I mean, is that when we engage in meaningful conversations, we often come away with a sense of ‘it is good.’ When God created the universe, He stepped back and said ‘it is good.’ We do the same with worthwhile conversations. We grow through conversations. We are meant to live in community with others, not in isolation.

Over dinner this evening we talked a little about New York City. You see, both of us went to New York this past summer. We went with a group from our university, and about half of the entire group went for credit. I was part of the group that went for credit, taking a course called ‘Literature of New York.’ We spent an entire week in this most magnificent of cities.

As I came back to campus and drank a hot drink from Tim Horton’s, I began to reflect on that conversation, but also on memories of New York City. I began to hear Echoes From New York.

I began to think fondly of Battery Park, and Washington Square. I began to hear echoes of taxi’s, and thousands of conversations happening simultaneously. I heard the water of the Hudson River. I heard the downpour of rain, and the laughter we shared while standing in Times Square during that downpour. I saw the skyline light up as evening fell. I smelt the pasta of Little Italy, and the sweets in the Little Cupcake Shop. I heard the echos from New York.

One of my fondest memories of New York will always be the conversations that we had there. I think of the conversation of ‘First Impressions:’ the tea-drinking and English Literature loving friend, the overly excited freshman in public speaking class, and the quiet English type. I think of the conversation in Chinatown about the creepy hallway to the bathroom, and someone kicking the door in my face as they yelled in Chinese (which unfortunately I am not fluent in at the moment). I remember the conversation about crime scenes…several times. I remember the conversation about the dead fish. I remember the conversation before and after the ‘Wonder’ Wheel. I remember conversations about Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy. I remember all of these conversations with great joy. I hear the echoes from New York.

As I write this evening, all is silent. Though my mind is filled with memories of New York. It’s interesting how a conversation I have today can transport me back to a moment in time several months, and or years ago. It’s fantastic fun to be completely honest.

That’s why conversation is so vital to our existence. Without conversation we can’t adequately get to know anyone. If this happens we live a lonely, secluded life. If we allow our lives to become void of meaningful conversation, we close off our souls to be open to anyone at all.

I invite you to engage in meaningful conversation. It makes life worthwhile, and it helps us to grow in every aspect of our life. This evening as I reflect on a very meaningful conversation I had over dinner, I hear echoes from New York.

Rain.

www.freefoto.com

Today is quite refreshing. I feel the cool breeze kiss my face, and I feel the rain hitting against my hands. My ears are acutely aware of the rhythmic pattern of raindrops hitting my simple black umbrella. Today is quite refreshing.

My typical Monday is not usually an enjoyable experience. I am sure many can relate. The weekend is quite often way too short, and Monday morning usually comes knocking way too soon. No matter, Monday is here, and there is not much I can do about that.

However, today my Monday is quite different. It’s actually been enjoyable. I rolled out of bed ready to go when my alarm went off at 6:30 this morning. That never happens. I usually hit snooze fifteen times (perhaps that is a slight exaggeration). Today, that was not the case. I was up and ready for whatever the day brought me.

The first thing the day brought me- rain. Usually I am not a fan of the rain. However, today I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The bottom of my jeans are damp and cool. My shoes and feet are wet. My glasses are speckled with raindrops, and my umbrella is my faithful companion for today. Today is quite refreshing. I see brother bush and sister tree as they are being nourished by the rain. All I hear is the rhythmic pattern of rain. It is an enjoyable rain, and the harder it rains the more I seem to enjoy it.

It’s not a typical Monday at all. I realize that, and I enjoy it. The rain as my faithful companion this day, I truly believe this day could not be better. Thank you for the gift of rain, and thank you for nourishing brother bush and sister tree. Thank you for your rhythmic music as I walk across campus. Thank you for your refreshing qualities.

Rain.

Life Is Beautiful

Do you ever just stop and think how beautiful life is? I don’t do this simple act nearly enough, though I think I will start. I have been reading a lot of books lately on Celtic Spirituality, and this is one of the key practices, especially in nature. I have been reading John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, and Frank MacEowen’s The Mist Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers. These two books have opened my eyes to a world I never knew even existed.

It is a world that is unparalleled in beauty and peace. It is a world unparalleled in silence. It is a world that lives in each of us, a sacred place that we are invited to enter, if we can but find the entrance.

Having been raised in a Christian home I was taught of the importance of going to church, of worshipping Christ, studying the scriptures, and living for God alone. I am deeply thankful for these life lessons my parents gave to me, and hope to instill them in my own children someday if that is God’s will. However, since entering college my view of ‘Christianity’ has grown exponentially and I now understand that the Christian faith is as diverse as humanity itself, and as such the spiritual practices her people follow are as diverse as you and I.

At first it was difficult to grasp this Celtic notion of ‘The Sacred,’ but I have grown to love it and cherish it. I am still learning as well, so any explanation I give you will be one coming from a student eager to learn more. The important thing to remember while learning about Celtic Spirituality, is that it is a spirituality not grounded in rules, dogmas, or practices. It is as fluid as water itself and one that can fit into anyone’s Christian faith walk.

From what I have read and studied, Celtic Spirituality has three main tenets: appreciation of and connection to nature, ‘Thin Places,’ and the Anam Cara.

From the earliest of times, the Celtic peoples (Ireland, Scotland, Iona, Wales, etc.) have been a people deeply connected to nature. They recognized the hidden power and energies that nature held, and as such structured their years and days around nature. Time, for them as us, continued to march on without stopping. As it marched on, nature itself changed and transformed. For instance each day starts with the rising of the sun, and ends with the setting of the same. They structured their day around this pattern of rising and setting, often praying at both times- prayers of awakening and prayers of resting. The reason? They recognized the rising and setting of the sun as ‘thresholds of the divine,’ or times in which they were closer to the divine. For instance, we live in a world now that no longer fully appreciates the importance or magical nature of watching a sunrise or a sunset. The ancient Celts cherished these times. The year too was structured around nature. They recognized each season as sacred time. In the winter, the spring was being developed to bring forth summer, which faded into fall in preparation for winter. In other words, in the bleakest part of winter, they recognized that winter was pregnant with Spring and all that came with it. Thus, Spring was an infant of sorts preparing for its adult life (summer), and then subsequently prepared for the elder stage of life in Fall. Yet, like a Phoenix, life was born again out of winter and the cycle marched on.   

The Celtic people also valued ‘Thin Places.’ We have all experienced these places, more often than we even realize. Do you ever find yourself particularly enlightened after reading a passage of scripture, or particularly moved after singing a praise song? Perhaps you feel particulary inspired and blessed after having an engaging conversation with a friend, or perhaps you feel refreshed and renewed after an evening walk? Then you too have experienced a ‘thin place.’ A ‘Thin Place,’ according to the Celts, were moments in which the space between us and the divine became narrow, and the divine was much closer than before. For me, when I write, I often experience ‘Thin Places,’ in which I feel the presence of the Divine all around me. I also experience ‘Thin Places,’ while on a walk on a cool autumn day simply enjoying the nature all around me. These moments are unique to each of us, and we should start recognizing them for what they are- encounters with God. Cherish these times and thank God for coming so close to our hearts.

Lastly, the Celtic Peoples cherished the idea of the ‘Anam Cara.’ In the ancient language of Gaelic I believe, ‘Anam Cara’ means ‘Soul Friend.’ An Anam Cara is a friend in whom you can trust with anything, and whom can trust you with anything. It is a friendship that goes much deeper than your typical friendship. It is a friend in whom you might not see for twenty years, but when you do see each other again your friendship picks up right where it left off. Distance and time mean nothing to the notion of an ‘Anam Cara,’ for Soul Friends transcend space and time, and as such are the deepest friendships one can have. I have a few people in my own life whom I consider Anam Cara’s: Lane Smith, Jim Nichols, Mother Lynn Carter-Edmands (Episcopal Priest), and Judy Ringler. These people more than anyone else understand the deepest and innermost parts of my soul, and for that I am eternally grateful. I highly encourage each of you to find yourself one, if not more than one Anam Cara. They will deeply enrich your life.

In closing, I invite you to pause for a brief moment. Sit in silence and simply breathe. Enjoy this moment for what it is- a time of rest and renewal. Pray if that’s what you do. Journal if that’s what you do. Whatever you do in this moment, appreciate how beautiful life is. Life is a gift, so appreciate it as one. God Bless.

12:19 am on a Friday morning…

Here I sit, with my two friends- a mug of warm green tea, and the calming sound of silence. What a beautiful night it is. The weather is cool, and Autumn’s kiss brushed against my face today as I stood outside for a few moments. Life is well. I have little to no complaints, which is a good thing. I take that as a blessing, and I shall count it as well.

It is a blessed evening with just the three of us. The green tea warms my body, while the silence calms my mind and soul. It was a busy day. A day of recuperating from the 24 hour fever, and a day of laundry. What a day. I am glad that it is nearing a close, because I look forward to the rest this evening holds for me.

Sometimes I get so busy with the things of life, that I often will find myself in a situation, or in a moment, and I ask myself an important question- why aren’t I living? Sure I can busy myself with the mundane details of my day-to-day life, but if I do not take time to actually live, what worth did that day hold? If I take but one moment out of my busy day as a college student, simply breathe, and enjoy the moment, what worth does my day hold?

I have been inspired lately to live. I have been inspired lately to appreciate the small moments that make life so special- the laughter of an infant, the sound of wind moving through the trees, the sound of a distant train. These things remind me that life is a gift, and one that should be shared with others. I have been challenged lately to live, not only to busy myself with life, but to actually live. I invite you to do the same. Take one moment out of your day today and simply be amazed at the beauty of that moment.