Greetings!

Two things troubled my spirit in the week past…in a good and yet challenging way; one was a quotation from one of my favorite writers on issues educational and spiritual – Parker Palmer; the other was a phrase from the Introduction in Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline. I believe I have been led to and so am currently re-reading this book, in this differently difficult season of seeking…to live, guided by a deep and authentic spirituality…one that embraces the gift and blessing of Immanuel, in the face of so much that disturbs…that would threaten the very equilibrium of one’s standing, in the faith of Christ Jesus.

The quotation from Palmer, is shared in the For Your Reflection section of this blog. Suffice to say however, its challenge to not only experience but have the courage to live extra-ordinarily, in the ordinariness of our being, moved me to the core. You see, last week Thursday, February 4, was the anniversary of Rosa Parkes’ birthday. Drawing upon her experience as an ordinary working woman, Palmer’s challenge was for ordinary people, like you and me, to not set her up on a pedestal simply to be revered, but to be challenged rather, by the fact that it was within her ordinariness, that she attempted and achieved the extra-ordinary. My use of the term challenged is deliberate. You see, I was led, as I read what Palmer wrote, to look into my own response to the Rosa Parkes’ of this world…the many ordinary women and men, who achieved greatness simply by living the truth they knew and believed…embracing the authenticity of a higher calling and the One issuing it.

The phrase from Foster’s book, therefore, jolted me from the action-less reverie of which Palmer spoke, placing me squarely within the reality of the how of experiencing extra-ordinariness. It was there, once again, that I was moved to affirm that nothing…no thing that can be achieved in this life that will be of eternal value, will be achieved outside of a disciplined way of being. Yes, you heard me! Let’s put it another way. We…you and I, can wish it all we want, but the fact still remains that experiencing that extra-ordinary life that is God’s will for us, requires…demands discipline, period!

Here’s the phrase from Foster, “…the necessity of bringing spiritual realities into the press of raw humanity.” Upon reading that phrase, the significance of the book’s title, came through with even greater clarity. You see, although it takes us through an in depth look at a number of spiritual practices or disciplines, the title Celebration of discipline…the singular, as different from disciplines…the plural, speaks to a lived reality, or praxis, transcending merely doing to become part of who we are. So…made in the Image of God, there is potential for extra-ordinariness in our ordinariness; when we adopt a way of life that embraces that reality; we bring the reality of the divine with all its attributes, into the press of our daily human realities.

I have been [re]acquainting myself with a number of physical and spiritual disciplines in the last couple of weeks and am finding the wisdom and encouragement of these two spiritual giants…Palmer and Foster, worthy companions on the journey. I am reminded of what is possible but also and perhaps more so, that attaining such possibilities require much more than passing acquaintance with a certain D – word.

Ah…there’s the smell and feel of newness in the air my friends! As I write, a chirping bird is perched on the grill that secures the patio here at my home. The mango blossoms on the tree next door, tell of fruitfulness in the making while the vibrant colors of the bougainvillea display the artistry of the Creator. There’s more to this life than the Covid-19 Pandemic! Extra-ordinary beauty lay within the gift of another ordinary day/week…if we can exercise the discipline, to train the eyes of our hearts to perceive and then…embrace it.

Until next week…

Grace+