A World of Thanks

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 27, 2012

My soul is content, as if having dined on a seven course meal, and praising You is as pleasurable as eating chocolate truffles.
~ Psalm 63:5 (as interpreted by Deborah)

Sometimes we forget to say “Thank you.”

We can become so caught up in the daily grind, in worries about the future and concerns over the past, that we fail to partake of the wonders that surround us.

Our meals are “grabbed,” our food is “fast,” we eat but we do not taste.

We run and rush, swept up in mindless hurry — we get nowhere, fast. Life is a blur, a race to the finish.

Gulls surf the air currents, plum trees burst into bloom, stars sparkle, the scent of lilac wafts on the breeze….

We look, but we do not see.

We breathe, but we do not inhale.

It’s there, this world of rich delights, it is up to us to see, to taste, to smell, to touch — to enjoy, and give thanks unendingly.

If your only prayer is “thank you,” that is enough.
~ Meister Eckhart

Wrongdoers

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 26, 2012

Do not fret yourself because of evildoers;
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
         ~ Psalm 37:1

Of course we’re not jealous of wrongdoers. No one wants to do wicked or harmful things.

However….

It does seem as if wrongdoers accrue some pretty serious benefits from their deeds. Money, mostly; which is no big deal — unless you don’t have any.

And what money can buy: power, influence, prestige. Even friends, of a certain sort.

Wrongdoers live in luxury, unconcerned about the cost of car repairs or vet bills or health insurance. They don’t worry if the heater stops heating or the drains stop draining or the faucets start leaking.

If you have enough money, anything can be fixed.

That same holds true for disgraceful conduct or criminal actions by themselves or their family members. An infusion of cash applied in the right place can make almost any trouble disappear.

It’s not that we want to get away with murder (or car theft or shoplifting or substance abuse), but it’s tempting to wonder what we could do with a nearly unlimited supply of money. Although perhaps a better question would be what a nearly unlimited supply of money could do to us.

Would we accept the responsibility and handle it wisely; would we seek to improve the lot of human kind, save the whales, replant a forest, or protect the polar icecaps? Or would we believe our wealth to be well-deserved: the result of our being clever, attractive, and nice? Would we decide it was a divine reward for being the wonderful folks that we are, intended for our pleasure alone?

And speaking of temptation; it is easy to identify the sins and shortcomings of those who live large and self-absorbed on their ill-gotten gains. But in so doing we are tempted to overlook our own call to stewardship, and ignore our own lack of humility. Anyone can do evil while remaining convinced her actions are just; the poor can be as miserly as the rich.

Closing meditation: Gracious, generous God, help us to make good use of the many gifts You have given us. Keep us free from jealousy and envy — and fill our hearts with love. Amen.

Hear Our Prayer, O Shepherd

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 25, 2012

Hear our prayer, O Shepherd
who leads us like a flock;
light our path,
You who are enthroned among the angels.
       ~ Psalm 80:1

If God is our shepherd, what does that make us?

Sheep are easily confused, easily frightened, and easily led. Nobody wants to be a sheep.

And yet sometimes I understand. When troubles surround us like ravening wolves, when struggles increase and solutions disappear, stress mounts and calm vanishes. One problem is resolved and two arise in its place. We grow weary, fearful, and uncertain; lambs lost in a dark and lonely forest.

It is tempting to pretend that we are always strong, in control, resilient and self-sufficient. But we aren’t.

A prayer directed to “our Shepherd” is a reminder of our vulnerability: a solo sheep is at risk of becoming lost or being devoured. We cannot do it all alone, nor should we hope to; we need community, support, encouragement …. and most of all, we need the Beloved’s sustaining Presence.

A prayer directed to our Shepherd is an affirmation of our faith in God’s abiding concern and unfailing commitment: we shall never be abandoned. We have nothing to fear; God is with us, always.

A prayer directed to our Shepherd brings a respite from life’s hectic pace. Taking shelter in the arms of the One who has promised to bring His flock safely home, we can rest and restore our souls.

If God is our shepherd, what does that make us? Utterly precious and absolutely fearless. We are sheep with attitude.

My Soul Proclaims …

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 24, 2012

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
     ~ Mary’s Magnificat; Luke 1:46

This lovely song of celebration makes me uncomfortable. I find myself thinking: What does my soul proclaim? Too often, I confess, a kind of shriveled cynicism; a suspicion that all is not well, that our tasks are too hard, the world’s failings too complete.

Especially after driving in commute traffic.

What if there were a way to see just how things are with us, internally? Imagine a microscopic examination of our spiritual condition — where our deepest essence was revealed. Now that would be scary.

There might be a few flecks of light, but then … What is that?? An alarming accumulation of ugly things: frustration, anger, and resentment, envy, scorn, and fear…. I can see it now: like germs in commercials for Lysol. 

Ewwww.

That’s not what I want inside me. That’s not who I want to be.

Perhaps Mary’s words can serve as an affirmation: a goal to be achieved, a statement of what will (God willing) one day be true; that abundant joy and gratitude shall abide in our hearts and shine forth from our souls

and fill the whole world with love.

Worship God in Holy Splendor

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 23, 2012

Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
let the whole earth tremble before him.
~ Psalm 96:9

It isn’t easy, gracious God,
to worship You in holy splendor
when we spend our days
in windowless cubicles,
dim hallways,
and stuffy classrooms,
our eyes downcast,
our noses pressed to computer screens.

Around these parts splendor is in short supply.

Yet we see its traces
in records of cherished memories
and dreams of beauty yet unseen.
Postcards of far-off places,
family photos,
love letters
and silk flowers
lift our spirits as we toil away.

However dulled our senses,
the Light still glows within;
Spirit calls to spirit,
our souls unfailingly seek
the good, the beautiful, and the true.

Open our eyes that we may see,
Most Gracious One,
that the Source
of this blesséd, joyful radiance
is You.

Prayer and the Rock

Deborah Beach Giordano
© February 22, 2012

Come on, join in! Let’s sing to the Lord;
let’s make a joyful noise
to the rock of our salvation.
~ Psalm 95:1

I have to tell You, Lord God,
sometimes it really does feel
as if I’m praying
to a rock;

a hard, silent stone
that neither hears
nor answers
nor cares.

I cry and my tears
slip across its gray unyielding surface.
I shout and it remains unmoved,
I sing and it does not dance.

I sit beside it in the darkness
and there is no warmth,
no tenderness,
no place to lay my head.

In bright midday
it is motionless and still,
my words skimming over its face,
never reaching the deep Within.

If I had a hammer
of just the right sort,
I know I could
break through.

I could get beneath the surface
and reach the hidden truth;
I’d discover
all that I needed to know.

When life is hard
and the way is rocky.
we must chip away
with patient, persistent prayer.

The First Song of Isaiah

retold for Diane and Diana
in celebration of Diane’s life and her new Birth this day ~ February 20, 2012

There is no question: God has claimed me.
I will trust in the Holy One
and fear nothing —
for the Lord is my champion,
my unyielding defender,
my beloved savior
and ever-present friend.

Therefore let your tears
be tempered with rejoicing at my good fortune;
for I now see a brighter day,
a more radiant sunrise
than we could ever have imagined.

Give thanks to the Lord
and call to him;
for he will comfort you,
and remind you
of all the blessings we have known.

God has done great things,
that cannot be denied;
we have seen it
and experienced it
and testify to it:

our lives have been interwoven
with holy miracles —
most of all in the love we share.

Cry as often as you need to;
do not hold back,
for the Beloved understands;

Shout out your joy as often as you can,
in gratitude for the glorious Gospel
assuring all who believe
that the Holy One is with us,
always,
holding us secure within his love….

for love is from God; and everyone who loves
is born of God and knows God. Those who
do not love do not know God, for God is love.
~ I John 4:7-8

Deborah Beach Giordano
February 20, 2012