Tag: faith
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A bit on Labels & a lot on Grace
On our journey of self-awareness and introspection, we’ll discover many labels. Some we’ll affix ourselves. Others will be given to us. With each we need to tread carefully. Our language of labels can be incredibly unhelpful. A sign of maturity is our ability to question these labels, before firmly fixing them in place, if we…
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The words we label ourselves – on how we respond to rejection and failure.
Rejection. I have tasted rejectionIn a thousand different waysThe comment that was ignoredThe smile that was not offeredThe way you walked out of the roomAs I walked inThe invitation that was extendedHumbly and nervouslyOnly to be discarded, I assume. I never even heard from you. Rejection that has made me SadderStrongerBraver WeakerRejection that has made…
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weary.
We are weary soulsCarrying the weight of a weary worldCrushed by the taskDoubled over and going under. Trying to come up for airWhen another wave pulls us underLapping lost in the vast seaUnsure of the horizonSurrendering to the darkTo the depthsTo the possibility of nothing. Drained to the point of depletionEmpty.A hollow vesselMoving absently in…
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Called to Compassion
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a PD session. On the outside, it appeared to be for me and my development, time away to learn and reflect. In one session the leader, a Priest, read an email from a dear friend of his. This friend was dealing with “a new normal” and balancing…
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done.
Have you ever felt done?DepletedCompletely and utterlyUnmistakably DONE?You’re done – morethan you’ve ever been before. The most done.Done-est.What if We reframed ‘being done.What if It isn’t actually The most done.but The Beginning.At the end of our tetherAt the end of our limits our control our abilitiesWe find how littleIs in our control.And how much freedom…
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endurance.
SometimesThe problem is notThe pain itselfThe painWe can handle but the duration – The unending needFor our enduranceWith no end in sight.How long can we hold on?Can we last in this fight?Without sign of the horizon -Without hope of the light.”The dawn is coming” someone whispersfrom distant shadowswe can’t touch.If we just hold on a…
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Life’s Mirrors – on Humility & being teachable
Is there anything quite as humbling as our children holding up mirrors to our flaws? Seeing them act in less-than-flattering ways and instantly thinking, yep, that’s me. This is my daughter and I. Sometimes my son. I feel like the list of all their undesirable behaviours come from me. I witness my daughter’s clumsiness and…
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What we carry – a poem for Holy Week
I sat down and started drafting this blog late in December. I think originally it was meant to be about the hope for a new year and all the glorious “new” that is to come. In early January, I revisited it and made some additions. After a holiday and the commencement of school (and real…
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A bit about Lent and the traditions that shape us.
There are some traditions we do just “to do them.” These traditions come with a form of expectancy and repetition, maybe without consideration of why. I suppose it would be fair to say that Lent might also be a little bit like this. If we are not careful, it rolls around in the calendar and…
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Advent – on holding out for Hope
We have reached December and I am feeling more burnt out than most years. That might not be true. Surely every year I collapse at the end and feel this exhausted? But, also, maybe not. This year feels more so. As a teacher, the end of the year is A LOT. As a parent, the…
letters and lattes 