Inspiration
Tonight my spouse recklessly left me in charge of weekly announcements at church. I meant to take the pink sparkly Santa hat to punch things up a bit. ย Lucky for everyone I overlooked it as I went out the door this afternoon.
The last couple of days, Iโve been pondering inspiration in my heart (in honor of Mary who was in-spirited by God in the most profound of ways). I find myself trying to shift my thinking from โI must, I must, I mustโ to โI want, I love, I hope.โ This shift requires paying attention to what inspires – that which puts spirit and life into life, rather than draining life from life.
So tonight I kicked off those weekly announcements by asking those around the dinner tables: โWhat is inspiring you lately?โ
I heard some beautiful short stories of inspiration. Here are a few highlights. Some were shared with the group. Others I just saw, heard or overhead amid the eveningโs gathering.
- โI think all the humans are beautifulโ โ Rand
- My friend who is dying of brain cancer yet joyful and fully present โ Linda Ray
- The Magnificat โ Phil
- Talk of family at work โ Martha Jo
- Inmates on diversionary work treating police horses with gentleness โ Paul
- Last meals for dying friends โ Frenchie
- Shoes, dresses and shawls handmade in Cuba โ Nuibes
- Karaoke with kids and singing James Brown โ David
- A new banner of hands from our kids to the kids in our partner church in Cuba โ Julie, Amy and Sam
- Mary, mother of Jesus inspiring untold numbers of people โ Cara
- A soldier welcomed home by his community โ Jim
- Sleeping late and reading good books โ Mia
Here are a few things on my own list of inspirations tonight:
- Clear open spaces
- People who write, play and sing music
- Squirrels scavenging Novemberโs pumpkins and corn for feasting in backyard trees
- Explorer, Felicity Aston, braving the elements and her own solitude to reach the South Pole
- โThe New Possibilityโ by John Fahey (Guitar Christmas Album)
- Lights in every window
- Cinnamon-Applesauce Ornaments
- Micro-lending with Kivaย (my nieces and nephews will soon be inspired, too!)
- Holiday cards and greetings
- Advent worshipย . . . how we sing, pray, proclaim and slowly find ourselves becoming a people of God.
What is inspiring you lately?
