A Very, Very Belated Response (and you'll read why)

- Crystal
'what we read, and what prayers we said' on the 23rd @ the Crowne Plaza in Nashua: http://breadforyourjourney.blogspot.com/

Our discussion that evening led to a variety of topics but particularly to the concept of 'letting go' and trusting in God... letting the Holy Spirit flow and work through us. At one point, someone in the group brought up that 'letting go' is easier said than done... s/he asked, "How do you let go and trust God?"

While we couldn't come up with any conclusive answers, we seemingly all agreed on how to take the first step: you have to ask yourself what you're trying to let go of. As Crystal phrased it in the quote above, you have to figure out what rope you're clinging on to.

I work between 70 and 80 hours a week at a job I really enjoy, traveling all over New England and meeting a lot of great folks. At the same time, I've never felt like being a financial associate was a calling per say, so I've always wondered what's driven me to work so much at it. There's been some nights when I've gotten home from an appointment only to realize I didn't even stop to eat all day. There's even been the occasional night where I didn't allow myself the time to sleep before I left the next morning. Frankly, I got to get a bit better at time management. Still though, there's a lot more to it.

Two evenings ago I spent some time in my hometown, including a couple of hours in front of my mother's grave. They say that "mother always knows best," so while there, I logically asked her what to let go of in order to lead a more purposeful life, doing God's work in the world... she actually answered (I think). It popped into my head that I needed to let go of my anger... particularly at my parents.

"Someone once said that every man is trying to either live up to his father's expectations or make up for his father's mistakes..." - President Barack Obama, in Dreams of my Father.

Whatever your opinion of the President, the quote above rings true. My father was a great man (and still is) but I grew up my whole life judging him for not 'succeeding enough...' not having enough friends, a position of leadership at his company, or whatever else success meant to me at that age. I believe my mom gave me a nudge two evenings ago to let go of my blind pursuit of success. Instead of attempting to make up for my father's perceived mistakes (which probably aren't really mistakes at all), I have to define what success actually means for/ how God wants to work through me in this world. With my mother on the other hand, I have to let go of my anger at her for dying, but that's a whole other story... this post is long enough.

One part of letting go for me then is probably dropping down that 80 hour work week to about 65 hours, so I can have enough time to support the ministry hear at by the way, in the way I feel called to do it. Get the title now? As a final note, I wrote A LOT here... I encourage you (especially our mostly online friends) to use the comment section below to meditate on what you might need to let go of in your own life. I have to leave (the mechanic just called and my car's fixed, right in time for rush hour), but I'll leave you with this song as some background music for while you're thinking:



God's peace,
Dustin

Healers: Keep it Simple

Our last Bread for you journey unfolded with an opportunity to meet new people and to begin with a sharing of prayer concerns and a time of settling into this space and time.
This week we explored how Jesus sent out the twelve to heal. He let them know to keep it simple and empowered them to continue his work two by two.

Reflection #1: We began by lighting a candle and then viewing the video Heal the World by Michael Jackson. This video begins with Michael explaining why he wrote the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFTORlM6TU

God, we do see so much pain, in our world and in our own lives. As we reflect on your Word tonight, help us to hear your call to follow Jesus and to sort out just what that means. Let your healing power flow into us tonight… and let it flow through us, here in this community, and outward into your world. In your name we pray… amen.

Reflection #2: from the Message Mark6:7-13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:1-13;&version=65;

Lord Jesus, you called the twelve and sent them out in pairs to teach and do God’s will. Help us to know we do our best work with others and that we need to keep it simple. We are empowered by you to comfort, heal and love one another. Be for us a place of joy and rejuvenation. In your name we pray… amen.

Reflection #3: The Hippocratic Oath: Modern Version
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html

God, you send messengers in many forms to the world may we listen and know that we are called to love and care for one another. We are here to help and heal one another on our journey. Lift us up and support us as we mourn those we have lost and continue to take care of our life which you have given us. May peace and joy be a part of everyday. In your name we pray…amen.

We began our discussion by sharing our thoughts when we heard of Michael Jackson’s death. Many thought of his music and art, but then we discussed how the controversy surrounding his life may have diminished his message of healing the world or helping children. The loss of Farrah Fawcett on the same morning was also discussed and how some deaths are expected and others are a surprise. We discussed the juxtaposition of these lose; Farrah's heroic fight to live and Jackson’s controversial and sudden death.

The line of the song Heal the World which stood out for me was “Be God’s Glow”. As Jesus sent out the twelve he sent them out to heal and be God’s glow. Jesus told them to keep it simple and do what you can and then move on. We are also sent out into the world to help heal those around us. How are you helping or healing people around you? If everyone saw themselves as healers and helpers we would all help to change the world.

As we reflected on the Hippocratic Oath we discussed how this oath is a commitment to live your life in a helpful way. It affirms that we cannot do it alone as Jesus sent the twelve out two by two Doctors promise to refer to others work and to ask for help. The last paragraph of the Hippocratic Oath “May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help,” it links healing and joy. As we find our individual calling we find a sense of joy and new understandings about ourselves and the world around us. In the Geneva Declaration it states, “I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat; I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.” http://www.cirp.org/library/ethics/geneva/ . This is a clear statement to help and preserve human life. How can we help with this each day?

After our discussion we shared a sending prayer and then moved to our open space time where we could experience and reflect on the healing power of water and that of bread. Oath, promise, commitment, how would your Oath to live read? The entire wording of the Hippocratic Oath and the Geneva Declaration were available to reflect upon and to use as inspiration along with a variety of books to write your own oath to live. How would God be reflected in your oath? What is your calling and how can you live into your passion?

I remember being asked about what legacy I would like to leave after I die but I do not recall being asked to articulate a statement promising to live out my call in specific ways that I and others would understand. How to live our daily lives to help and to heal the world can seem overwhelming but remember to keep it simple and do what you can, it all adds up.

Thank you to all who attended this powerful evening and those who have taken the time to read my ponderings.

Heidi Jakoby