Life Has Been a Bit Challenging Lately - or is it just me?

I’m almost afraid to tune into the evening news any more.  I’m feeling discombobulated this week.  Cooler temperatures have been a bit hard to adjust to.  Plumbing - have I mentioned plumbing (or washing machines) lately?  Don’t get me started.  I feel like life is out of control.

Oddly enough, I have been practicing gratitude more than usual this week, not less.   To do this, I have been using one of the variations on the ancient prayer of Examen:

1. I ask God to shine his light on the day just past 

2. I replay the day, asking God to bring to my mind the things I have been grateful for.

3. I review the feelings that surfaced in the replay of the day, both positive and negative.

4. I choose one of those feelings (positive or negative) and pray from it.

5. I look toward tomorrow, asking God for help with whatever I need.

I have been surprised this week that with my usual routine disrupted I have found there are new things to be grateful for.  I’ve learned by reviewing (in God’s presence) the feelings in my day that I can cope quite well with being out of control.  And that not holding on quite so tightly to my schedule, there is room for new delights and discoveries. 

This week in worship we will continue to practice gratitude.  We will hear again the passage from Luke 17:11-19 in a different translation.  You might want to read it for yourself or pray the Examen in preparation.  I wonder what you might discover?

For more information on the Examen:  Rummaging for God.

Luke 17:11-19 NIVUK

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance  and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’

When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’

I am gradually learning that the call to gratitude asks us to say, “Everything is grace.” Whether there is suffering or joy, I can say, “Yes, I want to live this, and I want to discover in this more fully the gift of life.” - Henri Nouwen