Devotions based on Rupp and Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Life

The winter season holds beauty all of its own and it is a less busy more reflective time. Even though it is quiet and dormant, it also has its share of harshness. We may miss the positive value of this season just as we may consider our interior winters uncomfortable. But it is something to enjoy and is vital for spiritual growth. Our spirits need dormancy, rest, silence and solitude. Winter time is the opportunity to slow down and refocus our direction and purpose in life. When we encounter storms it challenges us out of our comfort zones and we may find we need courage to stand strong with hope for the future.  It may force us to let go of our securities and cause us to reach out for help from others too.  In this dark time we can learn more about ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.  Even though all appears dead and void of movement, there is quiet growth that is taking place. Sometimes we may be tempted to give up, to lose hope and to stop believing in ourselves when we can’t see our growth. But we must wait patiently and to remember with hope, that a future springtime is coming.. a time to burst forth in the joy of spring.

Devotions based on Rupp and Wiederkehr’s book , The Circle of Life

Each of us has a well of wisdom from which to drink. Too often we are led to believe that the wisdom of someone else’s well is better than our own. We can so easily treasure their wisdom and discount the source of spiritual and intellectual nourishment within us. We need to be encouraged to trust that what is within our own well is of immense value and worth. Our wisdom is often hidden in a deep source and we need to spend time in reflection and silence in order to find it. Our inner well is waiting to nourish and refresh us. We may discover something in our well that energizes us, or something that needs to be released and healed, something that needs to be celebrated etc. Why not share what we have found with someone else?

Devotions based on Rupp and Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Love

If we live each day in a spirit of gratitude our lives would be radiant. But how do we become grateful people?
Let us begin by being thankful for what is and not focus on what is not.
Let us find good even in unwanted aspects of life, without denying the presence of the unwanted.

Let us focus on the beauty of little things of life, as well as deliberate about the great beauties.

Let us find something to laugh about in every day, even when there seems nothing to laugh about

Let us search for and to see the good in others rather than remembering their faults and weaknesses.

Let us be thankful for each loving deed done by another, no matter how insignificant it might appear.

Let us taste life to the fullest, and not take any part of it for granted.

Let is forgive others for their wrong doings, even immense ones, and  put the past behind.

Let us remember to say “thank you” for whatever comes as a gift from another.

    And may we be at peace with what cannot be changed.

Devotions based on Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Life

We all go through struggles and when we do it is good to ask ourselves what lies beneath them that would help me grow and for which I can give thanks.

If we look at the illness we might have, we see only physical diminishment. But if we look underneath we may see it as a teacher bringing us vital wisdom

If we look at a broken relationship on the surface it seem harsh but underneath we may see the seeds of new growth.

If we look at lost dreams we may see only disappointment and doubt, but underneath we may see the stuff that new dreams contain.

If we look at the death of a loved one, we see only sorrow. But underneath we may see that love lives on forever in the heart.

If we look at ourselves we might see tarnished unfinishedness but underneath we may see His goodness shining there.

Let us all look beneath the externals of our lives for His love, peace and strength that lie in the deep waters of our souls.

Devotions based on Rupp and Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Life

The seasons teach us of the ebb and flow of life. Autumn shows us that all things are passing but even in the passing there is beauty. The decaying leaves are compost and mulch for the soil. There is life in dying. Everything is dying to live. We all have to face the truth that nothing lasts forever. We learn to honor the dying. Everything is moving, flowing on into something new. As the leaves let go, an emptiness appears in the trees and the naked beauty of the branches can be seen. But as we peer through the branches there are other things that can be seen more clearly.  That is also true in our lives. What in our lives needs to fall away? If we let go of a relationship that is not healthy, our hearts have more room to grow. We are able to receive new people into our lives whose gifts we have never noticed.  As we also surrender our dream of good health that would last forever, we may become more grateful even when our health fails, for we see all we have taken for granted. As we surrender our possessions and don’t treat them like little gods, we experience joyful freedom too. Let us be encouraged to let things  move on in our lives and flow into the new that He has for us..

Devotions based on Rupp and Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Life

Children are the best teachers to help us enjoy life. They do not own calendars or work in offices. They are not obsessed with making a living but rather having a life. They don’t get preoccupied with having a reason for doing whatever they do. Life is the reason. Children can live from the center, from the heart. It is a purer kind of living. It is living in the moment. They do not notice the discomfort of the heat or cold as life is a celebration. Children live life fully because they live by the heart, not the calendar. We have much to learn from them. May we ask the child within us how to live by our hearts.

Devotions based on Joyce Rupp & Marcrina Wiederkehr’s book, The Circle of Life

The four seasons are full of diversity and can also bring fierce storms.  No matter where we live on this planet, we can’t avoid a weather disturbance now and then. Storms are unpredictable and to be respected. They don’t always come at and acceptable time. In our personal lives we experience storms too, and some are quick where we can start up again the next day and forget they ever happened. Other stormy situations stay with us for years and can leave scars on our hearts.  The storms can bash and batter our self- confidence and flood us with anxiety. Some storms like cancer, divorce, financial failure etc can take much longer to pick up the pieces. Yet within the storms may still lies some hidden beauty: care and concern, power of faithful love, generous help, compassionate understanding etc.  We may discover what truly counts in our lives and learn to let others enter into our heart. Some storms catch us off guard and we may need time to recover emotionally as we slowly put our lives back together again. But even the most severe weather doesn’t last forever and eventually there is a return to light and peace. Let us remember when the damage of our storms seems severe that peace will come again.

Devotions based on Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederhehr’s book, The Circle of Life

These two authors wrote about the heart’s journey through the seasons which we experience both internally and externally. Each season is a stepping stone in a great circle of life and is an ongoing spiral of growth, bringing deeper wisdom into our life experiences. Each season is a teacher and has its own truth, challenge and gift. It can be a mentor and guide for us if we live with open hearts. It is important to recognize these inner seasons and move through them with the willingness to receive the valuable teachings they give us. If we listen closely we can receive new insights and find encouragement. Life does not stand still and flows like a river.  Change is a constant and all things are transitory. So we need to accept change as it comes.

Devotions based on Macrina Wiederkehr’s  book, Gold in Your Memories

We need a time of quiet and solitude in order for us to make life-giving connections from our past memories that will bring us awareness and wisdom.  One good way to get in touch with these memories may be through writing. What stories from our family history need to be written down? Do we need a counselor to walk with us through some painful memories?  What memories in our lives need to be saved?  As we give voice to our present memories it will help awaken other memories. We need to be willing to be hospitable to all memories, the past, present, and future, and do it with awe. The stories that have made us who we are have a way of slipping away from us so we have to practice remembering. At the end of the day we may ask ourselves, “What new memories have I made this day?”  That means we must learn to live in the present moment and really be there.  Did we truly see the person you had lunch with today?  Did we really taste that first cup of morning coffee?   May we live well and remember well! Out of the soil of the past, green shoots reach up toward the future.