Author: alwaysbridging

I know that when God grants my heart’s desire, and fulfills all my plans and petitions, it will be because I am praying God’s Desire. Thus “Thy will be done” is the epitome.

When I lean into the conviction that all is good…that as they say, the moral arc of the universe is long but bends toward justice…that Creator really does love us unconditionally…  Then I recognize that all will turn to the desire for wholeness.

All Will Be Well.

Readings

Wed – Apr 6, Habakkuk 3:2-15 Luke 18:31-34 Psalm 20

[From Penny: My friend, Bryan Jackson is ordained in the American Baptist Churches USA, a registered Cherokee descendant, and active in the Cherokee Nation satellite community. When St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, my church home, invited The Honorable Cecile Hansen, Chair of the Duwamish Tribal Council, to speak at the cathedral, I asked Bryan to reflect on her presentation and join us as a guest contributor. Below is his post as part of this series of Lenten devotions.]

The other night I heard The Honorable Cecile Hansen, Chair of the Duwamish Tribal Council, remind us that she and her people are “still here.” This followed a land acknowledgement that kicked off a roughly hour-long forum at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. Hansen is the great, great, grandniece of Chief Seattle (Duwamish/Suquamish).

The “People of the Inside,” the Duwamish, will tell you “We are still here” as they embark on seeking federal recognition as a tribe. Such a statement speaks to the theology and sacredness of the land itself. As most any Native American will tell you, the land is an extension of who we are. It epitomizes the account of Jotham telling the story of how the land vegetation chose the olive tree to be their king. (Judges 9: 7-15) Indigenous people partner with the land regardless of any governmental recognition or sanction. The land will lead us in spite of any nation-to-nation relationship.

O Great Spirit, help us to remind others: The land itself breathes it into us. We are still here!

Readings

Tue – Apr 5, Judges 9:7-15 1 John 2:18-28 Psalm 20

Just got word that Langland House is approved by yet another entity. This one will put money on it. Long (insurance) story. Let’s just say, now I can relax as I devote several hours today to collecting paperwork so that my mother can move from an assisted living tower to an assisted loving neighborhood home. It’s easy to see God’s throughline in hindsight. It’s absolutely tantalizing when I am privy to recognizing the throughline going forward. Confirmations about this transition are showing themselves right and left. I am grateful.

Readings

Mon – Apr 4, Exodus 40:1-15 Hebrews 10:19-25 Psalm 20

Yesterday my son invited me to swim at the indoor community pool. Such delight! Being with him. Swimming again. An hour after the invite. And after raucous April Fool’s Day laughter. No aches at all. Steady breathing for an hour. In water, mermaid-like. Knowing I can add the choice to swim any day to my list. Plus experiencing the ease and fun of writing this devotion, nodding to my favorite words in today’s psalm. And, poof! The illustration waited on the wall, beside our bed. Ah, Saint Spontaneity. Awe, Saint Joy.

Readings

Sat – Apr 2, Exodus 12:21-27 John 11:45-57 Psalm 126

The other day after Mom’s dentist appointment, we rewarded ourselves with gelato at Swanson’s Nursery. Afterwards we called the adult family home next door to ask if we could pop in for a visit. After all, Mom will be moving there soon. We were cheerfully welcomed in. The sun came out. And my mother, at 94, exclaimed, “Ok, I’m ready for another adventure.” I’m proud of her. Onward to the next transition.

Readings

Fri – Apr 1, Isaiah 43:8-15 Philippians 2:25—3:1 Psalm 126