GREETINGS TO GOD’S IMAGE BEARERS,
Right after Ash Wednesday, I drove to Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin for a couple of days of personal retreat, “Deep Breath”, a self-guided retreat for pastors. My spirit was filled as I entered into religious community life with centering prayer and worship three times a day besides reading and resting. It was a wonderful way to begin the season of Lent. This prayer from Thomas Keating was the pray that I began my retreat with:
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today, because I know it is for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival
and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and God’s action within. Amen.
And God’s good timing placed me there at the same time of the Retreat on Two Feet which focused on walking meditation. In this time of retreat and renewal, I felt that God was affirming our community discipline to walk and pray in our neighborhood. For me it was a God coincidence.
Walking and praying in our neighborhood is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. Inviting you to participate as a Lenten discipline is a bonus. I’m trying to walk and pray once a week in the Wonderful Westside. The first time I greeted a couple of people as they walked or waited for the bus. I saw all the apartments and condos. There are many people who live close together. I remembered my own days of apartment living and I prayed for all the people who live close together and for good relationships among neighbors. I saw lots of vehicles and prayed for them to run well as they provide transportation.
The next time I walked, I saw cats sunning themselves in the window and heard a barking dog and I gave thanks to God for the gift of good company and companionship of pets.
When it came time to purchase in-kind offering for the Free Medical & Dental Clinic, I shopped at Hartig Drug in our neighborhood and discovered some treats for myself. This helped me to see God’s abundance through the time of walking and what I was moved to do. Had I not been walking and praying in the neighborhood, I think I would have shopped at my usual places. It was good to shop there and talk with a clerk who was very friendly and inviting.
I hope these reflections will encourage you to walk and pray in our neighborhood. Give me a call if you want a walking partner. If walking isn’t for you, drive, park and pray or slowly run your finger over the map, praying for our neighbors. Listen for God’s whisperings and share your reflections on the paper hanging in the alcove near the kitchen. There you will also find some walking practices and prompts for contemplative walking practices that were given to me on the retreat on 2 feet.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
