Archive for February, 2008
02-27-2008
Expand Your Circle
This weekend, I had the privilege to facilitate a women’s day of spiritual renewal. I was the one blessed as these beautiful souls shared their heart with one another. The love in the room overflowed, as did some sacramental tears. Women need each other! I can imagine the sacred exchange between Mary and Elizabeth greeting one another, both with baby in womb, “You too!” “I Know - me too!” As we share our stories, our brokenness, our hungers, our joys and sorrows; we are united in an intimate relational circle of love. These relationships go beyond the surface, or superficial, and ignite the indwelling of the spirit connecting us all. We need our sisters! Don’t get me wrong, we love you guys too, it’s not an ‘either’ / ‘or’, but rather a ‘both / and’. We just need our girl time, our sisters who cry with us! Males – if you have a significant female in your life – encourage her to fellowship with other women. It might be bunko, prayer group, bible study, a moms group, coffee, a retreat, or dinner with the girls. Please don’t make her feel guilty about it. Tell her to go~ encourage her! We are nicer to you when we get our girl fixes! The women in my life have picked me up and dusted me off. They have loved me when I felt unlovable. They have accepted me with all my imperfections and have reflected back to me the sacred gift of unconditional love. I am so thankful for my girls! We need to pass this message of sacred sisterhood on to our youth. When women talk about female friendships that are negative, hurtful, judgmental, or gossipy- then it’s time to Expand Your Circle! Sacred relationships should be enriching, nourishing, energizing and life-giving! They should build up, not tear down. I’m so thankful for my girls and the sacred sisterhood God has blessed us with! I love you! Your Sister in Christ, TammyYouTube Clip: Expand Your Circle by Tammy Amossonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8DzLntgUNQ
YouTube Clip: Dr. Randy Pausch: A must see on – The most important of life’s lessons!http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw
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02-27-2008
Radical LOVE
RADICAL LOVE
Revisiting a year ago, I was definitely in a Valley not a Peak, and I’m not just talking about where I reside. I have learned over time we won’t stay stuck in either place, but I admit I like the peaks much better. I remember lying on the floor in the fetal position, unrelenting tears, fears and questions abounding about my identity. I had been challenged by members of a local Church accusing me that I was not a good Catholic because of my prayer practices. My entire vocation had been devoted to ministry in the Church so I felt raped of my identity. If I wasn’t a good Catholic ~ who was I? This question would both haunt and ignite my spiritual journey. I began to seek answers. With the help of my spiritual director, trusted priests, and holy people (I know God hand picked for me); I began to grow in my understanding of who I am. I was not a good little Catholic girl at all. In fact, I am much more. I am a child of The Father of the universe; I am part of a larger community than I even realized; a community that includes, Jews, Muslims, Buddhist and Atheists. I am the beloved daughter of a God who loves all His children. I am Daddy’s lil’ girl; daughter of the King of Kings; and a member of a humongous body of believers (& non-believers)! As my hurt began to melt and immobilize me less, my heart began to expand (like the Grinch after reconciliation), and I saw a bigger world than I had previously known. It was as if the shackles came off my eyes; I now saw with global sight. As my vision grew, so did my questions. “Lord, how can we live as your children if we keep hurting each other?” His gentle whisper echoed throughout my being… “Love, Radical Love, Choose forgiveness over resentment; choose compassion over judgment; choose humility over pride; choose kindness over being ‘right’. Love so Radically that some might just persecute you for it!”Last evening at mass, I watched our son Joshua carry the cross up the aisle as an alter server. My heart overflowed. One year ago people thought I might leave the Church and told me they would understand if I had. Today, I sit in my Church as a more compassionate, accepting, and loving member. We are broken people, I should know, I have a seat there too. Today, I know whose I am, I know The Great ‘I AM’ and I know what He is calling me to … RADICAL LOVE!
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02-12-2008
LOL
LOL ~ LOI ~ LAO I remember a time when someone wrote those 3 initials (LOL) to me in an email and I had to ask what they stood for (just in case, it’s Laugh Out Loud). Fortunately, today I not only know what they mean, but I use them quite frequently. I have also added to the 3 set of initials: LOI (Laughing on the Inside), and LAO (Laughing at Ourselves). I seem to be able to provide myself with more than enough of my own material, although my children help tremendously. I have a friend who I am encouraging to write a book on the ways we can LAO (Laugh at Ourselves) within the Church. I tend to think of Jesus as having a gregarious sense of humor. When she tells me she really does not want to have to go ‘purgatory’ cause she’s already been through ‘hell’. I LOL! Someone told her that they don’t believe in ‘hell’ and then she decided her next chapter title would be, “to hell with hell”. LOL! When my son turns his white button down shirt into a straightjacket during mass with his brother kindly helping him tie the sleeves behind his back; I can kindly ask him to turn it back around and put his arms back into the sleeves while LOI. When standing next to a high profiled positioned person in the Institutional Church and my children decide to blow out all the prayer candles that had been lit over the course of the weekend liturgies; I can teach them what the candles mean and ask them to re-light them while LAO. Church can be both fun, and funny, and hopefully it can leave you with a smile. One of my favorite memories was when our priest forgot to turn his microphone off as he made a pit stop in the restroom prior to the service. The deacon ran in to the restroom and told the priest it was on. There was an awkward pause as the priest entered the sanctuary, but as he greeted everyone at the alter he said, “Love, and other things, are flowing like a river!” After everyone stopped LOL, I heard a man behind me say, “That has been his best message this year!” Laughter is contagious; a smile can bring joy to the most downtrodden of spirits. As you go through this 40 day Lenten retreat, don’t give up your sense of humor and remember to LOL, LOI, and LAO!
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