I was recently in a Scripture Circle, where we begin by saying our name, where our feet are planted, and what we have been contemplating with God. Suddenly, the words coming out of my mouth were about taking up my space fully. 

​It may be hard to take up my space fully because of all the cultural messages handed down to women about leadership and how we are to show up in the world. Perhaps it is the internalization of the message that Christians should be “nice” and that we should put others before ourselves. Whatever combination of these beliefs may be, it prevented me from living fully. 

When I diminish who I am or try to hide behind others, I am not living into my much-ness. When I sit on my hands and keep silent, when I feel the Spirit prompting me to lead, I am not loving God with my much-ness. When I allow the culture of the Church and society to define who I am more than God, I am not living out of my much-ness, which was created and blessed by God. 

What would it look like if we all took up our space - not the space of others - but our own space? What could happen if we live out of who we are created to be fully? What might the Spirit be doing in and through us, people of God? 

We are currently in my favorite season in the Christian year - Lent. Lent is a call to reflection and spiritual preparation for the coming Easter season. 

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, named for the imposition of ashes in the sign of the cross with the words "remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."

It isn't often that Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day, but that is the case this year, which makes me remember the last time the case. We had an Ash Wednesday service that brought together different clergy who lived into their gifting - one proclaimed the word, others served the sacraments, still others prayed over folks with the anointing of oil, and of course others imposed the ashes. Clergy gathered together, bound by the love of God. Clergy sharing the message of the great love of God for us. 

While Lent is a particular season in the life of the church, St. Benedict writes that our Christian walk is a "continuous Lent." A continual time of remembrance, preparation, and reflection. 
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How is your spiritual journey a continuous Lent?

A few weeks ago was the third anniversary of my grandfather's passing. I knew the day was coming - it was on my calendar because we celebrate it with Floppy Hat Day - a day of wearing my grandfather's favorite article of clothing and doing kind acts in his honor. 

But, leading up to that day, I noticed I was getting really tired. I was worried that I was getting sick. Then I was worried I was getting the winter blues. I just could not work at my normal capacity. Going to bed early and still waking up tired. The general blahs. 

It wasn't until things drastically changed with my mood and general feelings after the anniversary passed that I put two and two together. My body was remembering his death in ways that my mind had tried to push aside and forget. 

Friends, I study death, dying, and grief and my body had to remind me what I kew to be true - that the body remembers.

​What does your body remember and how does it invite you to presence and prayer?