Tag Archives: grief

Rough edges and grace.

Today was a glorious day at Church Without Walls. The sun shone brightly, warming us up just enough after a chilly night. We had blankets and other items to share thanks to the generosity of our national church. Dear friends … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, love, reconciliation, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Coming together.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando (and every other recent and incomprehensible tragedy), it is hard to feel anything other than profound sadness. I want to make room for this overwhelming sense of grief and yet I … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, faith, peace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From expectation to wonder.

This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Open hands.

Last night I dreamt I was travelling somewhere – with my former roommate Lisa and our friend Ashley and possibly one other soul or two. We arrived at our initial destination by what means I know not. A plane? A … Continue reading

Posted in faith, Grace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

May hatreds cease.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Through the wall of flame.”

As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life, we must move with courage through the wall of flame into the greater sea. — Mark Nepo, Book of Awakening, p 172 … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Forgotten by us, but dear to you.”

This day I find myself meditating on a prayer from a beautiful Litany for Compassion: “For all who are forgotten by us, but dear to you: We entreat you to hear us, good Lord.“* I think of the pain and … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Icons

Standing behind a thick marigold line waiting our turns to drop identification into a small pass-through drawer, together forming a community as we each hope for a green light to enter the facility to visit a friend or family member. … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unity in diversity.

My Lenten discipline of making confession became something much bigger. It resulted in a challenging and amazing conversation with a monk who also is a Catholic priest. While on retreat, I had scheduled time to make my confession – a … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, reconciliation, unity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Finding family.

This afternoon I had a challenging phone conversation with a woman I met at a shelter several months ago. She has struggled to find stability, moving from shelter to street to couch-surfing and back again. She has done many of … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment