From Rachel Matthews:
Today we read about Julian of Norwich, one of my favorite anchoresses. Tuesdays have been wonderful reflection points but today I find myself with not much to say. Things that I have put off since we moved here are looming over me. I turned down a wonderful gift of hospitality last night to be with the Monday Munchers. That made me sad but I did get some stuff done I really need to do. Mornings that are stressful are exactly when I am most grateful for the discipline that nudges me to sit and think and pray just for 10 minutes. The rush of life needs Julians who will listen and offer a prayer and word of guidance. I need Julian of Norwich to say to me, "All will be well, all manner of things will be well." She lived it.
What strikes me most this morning about her is that she was there at a calling of God but she was not there alone. There were political structures that approved and encouraged and paid for her well being in that little house, the church structures which the society revolved around. Her being there was necessary. As oppressive as some of those structures were and as oppressive as Julian's call seems to be, her being there was a gift that has lived on for centuries. So I receive her small gift of hospitality given in the midst of struggle. A gift of hospitality like this even if it is a word written down or the sharing of why you feel led to do what you do to another person can make a huge impact in someone else's life. Thank you, Julian, for your encouragement, for reminding me of what is important and what is not, for reminding me to not be afraid, just love.
Today we read about Julian of Norwich, one of my favorite anchoresses. Tuesdays have been wonderful reflection points but today I find myself with not much to say. Things that I have put off since we moved here are looming over me. I turned down a wonderful gift of hospitality last night to be with the Monday Munchers. That made me sad but I did get some stuff done I really need to do. Mornings that are stressful are exactly when I am most grateful for the discipline that nudges me to sit and think and pray just for 10 minutes. The rush of life needs Julians who will listen and offer a prayer and word of guidance. I need Julian of Norwich to say to me, "All will be well, all manner of things will be well." She lived it.
What strikes me most this morning about her is that she was there at a calling of God but she was not there alone. There were political structures that approved and encouraged and paid for her well being in that little house, the church structures which the society revolved around. Her being there was necessary. As oppressive as some of those structures were and as oppressive as Julian's call seems to be, her being there was a gift that has lived on for centuries. So I receive her small gift of hospitality given in the midst of struggle. A gift of hospitality like this even if it is a word written down or the sharing of why you feel led to do what you do to another person can make a huge impact in someone else's life. Thank you, Julian, for your encouragement, for reminding me of what is important and what is not, for reminding me to not be afraid, just love.
Thank you for the gift of sharing with us on Tuesdays. I so look forward to hearing what you are thinking. Be not afraid, or in the words of Julian:
ReplyDelete“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
“The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”
“God, of your goodness, give me yourself; you are enough for me, and anything less that I could ask for would not do you full honor. And if I ask anything that is less, I shall always lack something, but in you alone I have everything'.”
― Julian of Norwich
Thank you for sharing. I was reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings. He was tired, frightened, hiding in the cave, yet he was not alone. An angel came to minister to him. There were other incidents that God (or His angels) came to him. Even when he thought he was alone, he was never really alone.
ReplyDelete