We have access!

Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing....[HELLO!!]

..and can't be judged by unspiritual critics [that's kinda handy!]

1 Cor 2 The Message

Are we accessible?

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Living in community means living in such a way that others can access me [!!] It also means allowing others to influence my life...it means that I have the opportunity to get "out of myself" and serve the lives of others.

By community I don't mean primarily a special kind of structure, but a network of relationships. On the whole we live in a society that's built not on community and cooperation, but on competition.

(R.Rohr w/ some add-ins by Andrea)

Andrea: Jesus, what areas do I need to allow others to access me in?

What I trust Jesus said to me: Let them access your joy and your sorrow. As you explore the depths of My Joy and Sorrow, others will be able to access Me through you. It is through exploring these things that you get a good picture of the things that matter to Me.

And so I pass the question on to you -- what areas may Jesus be inviting you to be accessible in?

Teary hugs in the checkout lane

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So anyways, as you probably noticed from my last entry, I am slightly stressed...I have been destressing today through cooking. I thought this is what I needed until I went to the IGA to pick up some food. So, I'm in the checkout lane when I spot a beautiful aboriginal woman, a good friend of my parents, wave at me. I hadn't seen her in awhile so it brought a smile on. This is a good feeling...this smiling feeling. Seconds later, as the cashier is ringing my food through, she approaches me from behind and gives me a gigantic hug! This catches me off guard as she states, " I just had to come give you a hug, I haven't seen you for so long" and then she finishes it off with another hug! My goodness, the tears came, the lump in my throat enlarged as the cashier is trying to get my attention. All of a sudden I felt worth it, all of a sudden a need was met that I didn't know was there. I felt loveable! Is this not our greatest need? I often forget the power of a genuine hug or a "good to see you".



So hug-on friends!

Constantly in Crisis

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Today was one of the most stressful days of my shelter career. I was holding down the fort alone and running from crisis to crisis to crisis. As I talked to other shelter workers, they sounded run down and exhausted as well. I try to remind myself of the importance of shelters and the work I do, but it is hard to keep spirits up and believe in the justice of it all when I am thinly stretched across many people's crises. I tried to think about people like Robert Dallaire who went from extreme trauma to trauma and just kept on going. Wow! I have tremendous respect for this man and so many others that work tirelessly on behalf of non-violence. Sustaining a pace in this kind of work seems ludicrous at times but it seems needed. How does a person work to balance life when amongst crises day after day? How can those of us that work in the crisis business be healthy?

-Just wondering!

Good and Evil

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Dono and I have been reading "The Shack" aloud together (I love reading books out LOUD with people, it feels cozy and all community-like) I find I have to reread sections as it can be mind boggling to digest. It's a story of man's encounter with God (Papa), Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Sarayu). The quote that I've been chewing on lately and loving is as follows:



"You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms."



Isn't this the truth?! So many experiences I have gone through do not feel so good, but have been transforming in my journey with Papa. The times that I have declared horrible became times of redemption. Deep redemption. The kind that digs through the depths of your soul, or as John 15 would put it: The Great Pruning. The things that seem hard in my life right now, I am sort-of able to look at with fresh eyes, knowing that if I allow the Great Pruner to do His job, a deep redemption is being completed within me and beyond.

***

When I determine what is good and evil, I become the judge. To make it even more confusing, that which I determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. Plus, there are billions of people each determining what is good and what is evil. So when my good and evil clashes with my neighbour's fights and arguments ensue.. (p.135)

Latte & Marshmallow Night!

Hanging with Tiara & Mikayla, two of my most funny-giddy-craziest cousins!

Who knew marshmallows could be so much fun!

Thanks for the fun evening girlie-oo's!