Practicing Rosh Hashanah with an Empty Vase

Posted on 09/22/2020 by Christine

This morning when I opened my Facebook, there was a memory of a quote I had shared back in 2009. It read “Lord, empty me of all that bogs me down, that I may be an open vessel for you.” I am not sure if it was something I made up or something I found, but I have decided the part about being bogged down does not really fit with being an open vessel. Nevertheless, the part about emptying and being an open vessel for God has stuck with me.

I thought about putting a vase with nothing in it somewhere to remind me to be open to God. Then, I spotted this little pottery vase on my kitchen windowsill that my mom decided to let go of during their recent move. I liked it enough that I decided to take it home with me.

I am thinking what better place for the little empty vase to be. It will greet me every morning. Though I do have a list of things to do today, I think I can still ask God what he/she might have in mind for me today. The answer does not need to come right away, but instead, be an open question throughout the day. (One thing God might be telling me to put on my list is to clean the kitchen window and sill. They are quite dusty and my little reminders sitting there need some re-arranging.)

Before I took these photos I did wash the little vase. I have previously thought I needed to find something to put in it. Now, I want to keep it empty as a symbolic reminder for myself. Even the act of washing it out was symbolic for me. During this time of Rosh Hashana and the 10 Days of Atonement for the Jewish New Year, it could be another practice, like the practice of Tashikh that I mentioned yesterday.

As I wash the vase, my prayer will be “Lord, empty me of all that keeps me from being an open vessel for you.” Maybe I will wash it daily, even though it might not look like it needs it just so it is more than a visual symbol at a glance.

Peace and Love,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Practicing Rosh Hashanah with an Empty Vase

Fall Pruning and Rosh Hashanah

Posted on 09/21/2020 by Christine

This past Saturday, we had tree trimmers come to trim some of our trees. It prompted me to also work on some overgrown shrubs in the yard. In the Spring, I usually do some pruning, but this year it just did not happen. Someone else mentioned that they were still waiting for summer even though tomorrow will be the first day of fall. The COVID19 pandemic has definitely altered routines.

The top two photos are the maple trees that hang over our driveway. the bottom two photos are some of my own work. The one on the lower left is a corner shrub that had just about touched the ground. The photo in the lower right corner is one of the shrubs that rings the other. They did not look too hot once the larger one was trimmed as they were not getting much light at all. The tree trimmer guy told me I would not recognize them next spring if I cut them way back.

There was much to cut off on those shrubs. I basically parked my butt on the ground and went to work. That gave me quite a bit of time to ponder what I was doing. The trees and shrubs seemed so much lighter as we worked. That made me think of how great it world be if I could trim my extra body weight the same way. That thought led me to think about some of the practices I had been reading about Rosh Hashana, one of which was going to a river end emptying your pockets. In one article I read it mentioned letting go of the extra weight of sin we carry around.

And here I am on Monday, the day I was going to begin a time of atonement myself even though I am not Jewish. I just felt the need to be more intentional with my days right now, as they all seem to bled into each other. My first thing was going to be my own practice of emptying my pockets–a practice I have learned is called tashlich or tachlikh. My first thought was to empty the coins in my billfold into the river as a sign of letting go of the idolatry of money, which I still might do, but I found a DIY Tashlikh practice online that I like better. Using bread is not considered ecological anymore. Maybe I will find some small sticks I can use instead. (As I look out the window at the piles of brush I have to giggle. Finding sticks will not be a problem for us!)

Taking down the tree above is bittersweet. We had one go down in a storm this spring that just missed the house. For that reason and others, we decided it needed to come down to prevent damage. This tree coming down reminds me that pruning and casting off our sins is not always easy.

Blessings and peace,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fall Pruning and Rosh Hashanah

Weak and Foolish Wonder

Posted on 09/03/2020 by Christine

Listening to the daily Pray as you go scripture reading and meditation today, I was particularly struck by the connection between wonder and innocence. Some might consider innocence a form of weakness and even foolishness, but it is only from that place of unknowing that we can really experience wonder, and dare I say God? The bible verse for the day is I Corinthians 3:18-23 and it is also the feast of St. Gregory the Great.

St. Gregory the Great is quoted as saying, “Wisdom is born of wonder.” Of course, the word “wonder” stood out to me because it is my word this year. The Pray as you go recording asked the question of what pride I might need to put aside in my own wisdom and strength. The recording also asks how I “can bring myself before God who loves me and has chosen me with all my foolishness and all my weakness.”

This might be another paradox of the Christian faith. Maybe it is only by letting go of what we think we know that we can truly find wisdom.

Above is a painting from my paint table today. I titled it “Born of Wonder”. (If you are interested in purchasing any of the paintings I post here, I can be contacted through either my Facebook or Instagram pages. “Born of Wonder” is a watercolor on paper. The image fits a 5×7 opening. It is $25 unframed.)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weak and Foolish Wonder

Goodbye Again, Old Friend – 2 years smoke free

Posted on 08/29/2020 by Christine

The appointment is still there on my Google calendar–3:00 Breathe. That means it has been 2 years that I have been smoke free. Painting today, that was in my thoughts. An open airy garden, fresh air, lightness, and freedom were some of the words that came to mind. Then a song popped up as I was listening to YouTube. It was Elton John “Funeral for a Friend.”

It was a joke (a pathetic joke none the less) that my smokes were my best friend. My husband once said it and he was spot on. Those stupid smokes got me through a lot of tough times. That last statement might sound strange, but I realized this past week how looking at my smoking that way is actually helpful for me to stay a non-smoker. There is so much shame associated with smoking for me. It was a bad thing to do.

However, just thinking to myself how bad it is and lumping more shame on myself really does not make it easier to stay a non-smoker. The shame on those shoulders does not lighter despite the fact I no longer smoke.

I listened to a series of speakers on different topics related to trauma from Sounds True called the Trauma Skills Summit these past couple days. All 10 interviews were available to listen to free for a short period of time. I do not remember if it was the recording on the topic of shame or not that talked about letting go of old coping mechanisms we have used for trauma, but I think it applies to shame as well. The idea was that we can say goodbye to things that no longer serve us. We can say goodbye to them and thank them for helping us.

As I painted and listened to Elton John sing that song, a feeling of lightness did come over me. How different it felt to look at smoking as an old friend I could say goodbye to again today.

I made this altered photo soon after I quit.
Last year I custom ordered this ring with a snarky saying. “you’re doing a _ good job” (Tim gave me a magnet with the saying as a joke, and I decided I needed to be able to wear it.)

My painting is my reward this year. =)

For all who struggle with addiction, I get it. Hoping and praying you will be able to let go of what no longer serves you too. Two years ago was not my first try to quitting. Don’t give up.

Love, peace, and courage,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Goodbye Again, Old Friend – 2 years smoke free

Can God Speak to Us through Art? Psalm 25

Posted on 08/19/2020 by Christine

This is an acrylic painting I did yesterday. When I finished, I was trying to figure out what to call it, and I kept coming to those white dots. Their number was just what I felt the painting needed for a good composition. But could there be more? Could God somehow be speaking to be through those marks? There are 25 of them. I wonder what Psalm 25 says? (That is what went through my mind.)

Looking up Psalm 25, I right away recognized it from a Marty Haugen song titled To You, O Lord. I also recognized many phrases as I read it from the bible such as:

  • I lift up my soul.
  • O my God, I trust in you.
  • Make me know your ways, O Lord.
  • Teach me your paths.
  • Lead me in your truth.
  • Teach me.
  • For you are the God of my salvation.
  • For you I wait.
  • I hope in you.
  • I trust in you.

Psalm 25 has many wonderful phrases that could be used for repetitive prayer. The phrases I wrote above are only the ones that stood out to me, but you might find more.

Whether praying with beads or simply using a repetitive mantra prayer calling on God throughout the day, read Psalm 25. During the pandemic we are experiencing, maybe you can find a helpful prayer there too. I also find comfort in the Psalms knowing they are ancient yet still meaningful to us today–just as ancient and relevant as God’s promise to be with us always.

God’s peace,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Can God Speak to Us through Art? Psalm 25

Art Blessing Meditation – May You Be Held

Posted on 08/18/2020 by Christine

There is more to this blessing prayer. I have just not written it out. I also know that not all of it has come to me. If it were a card, it might open up to “May you be held in wonder.”. Or it might say “May you be held in the embrace of God’s unconditional love.”. Then again, maybe the blessing needs to be open to and for whatever is needed.

May you be held today,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Art Blessing Meditation – May You Be Held

Blessing for Your Kids (no matter how old your kids are)

Posted on 08/17/2020 by Christine

This morning as I was painting, I was thinking about what I wanted for my kids. The list could be and probably is very long. Thinking back to when they were little, what would I wish for them? I came up with the blessing, “May life be kind.” That is my blessing prayer for my kids today and my grandkids. No matter how old they are, you still live them like they are your own–unconditionally.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Blessing for Your Kids (no matter how old your kids are)

Finding Symbols and Making Meaning – Communicating with God through Art Journaling

Posted on 07/29/2020 by Christine

Yesterday, I had an oil change appointment for our car and brought along a new book I just received in the mail to read. The book is titled Paint Mojo: A Mixed Media Workshop and written by Tracy Verdugo with contributing artists, which give it rich insight into using art as a form of creative expression. I only made it part way through the first chapter when I found that it was not a book to read quickly. Each page holds a wealth of things to consider and think about.

“Finding Symbols and Making Meaning” is actually a paragraph title in the book. The next page is titled “Personal Iconography.” That is as far as I got. It basically challenges you to consider your own work and what shapes and even creatures seem to frequently emerge.

The idea of a “spirit animal” is something I have heard others adopting. Some say it is a Native American practice. Some also seem to know exactly what their animal would be if asked as they have always had a favorite animal. For me, that is not the case, so when Tracy brought up elephants being symbolic for her, I decided there might be “an elephant in the room” for me too. In other words, maybe t was just too obvious.

First to shapes. A shape I use many, many times in my art is the leaf shape. It seems to just flow out from my hand to me pen or brush. I am not really sure if that shape has a specific name, and calling it a “leaf shape” could make one think of other leaf shapes that are not the kind I am thinking of.

I have pondered how the shape can also be a flame shape, leading to the symbolism of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that are often associated with flames. The shape could also be considered a fish shape. It could certainly be considered the shape of an eye. A feather could be another representation of the shape.

Within those thoughts, the shape of a rabbits ear came out. The most common symbolism for a rabbit that I know is fertility. That is not really something that resonated with me right now. But I looked at the symbolism of a rabbit a bit deeper. Words like creativity, spontaneity, comfort, vulnerability, and freeze came up. That word “freeze” stopped me. When a rabbit senses fear, they often freeze and perk up their ears. I can relate to that! It is not necessarily a positive reaction, but I can picture myself reaching out to that little rabbit and finding kinship.

I decided I might not write off that symbolism so fast. One word I added to my art journal page today after I had taken the photo is “listen”. How could I forget that word?

The verse I used to start my journal page on today comes from a piece of artwork that I originally found while we were in Kinsale, Ireland. I fell in love with it right away but knew it would not make it back to the US safely in my stuffed suitcase. Long story short, I do have a copy of the print now. It hangs as you walk into the kitchen as a reminder for me every day. (Granted, there are days I seem to miss the message!)

Part of me did not want to write this post because I did not have my thoughts all nice and tidily arranged with a summary and completion, but I decided that is really not how life is most of the time. so, I will post this here as just a part of the journey. Where it goes, I really do not know.

Love and light to you on your own journey,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Finding Symbols and Making Meaning – Communicating with God through Art Journaling

Just a Name or a Word Blessing Prayer Journal

Posted on 07/25/2020 by Christine

As I mentioned before, much of the artwork I have been creating lately I have digitally reproduced for cards in my Zazzle shop. A few weeks ago, Zazzle had spiral bound journals on sale. One of the things I had been considering was to get a small journal where I could simply write the date and people I wanted to pray for or ask God to specially bless that day. Even a place to write a word or phrase that was coming to me. That is what I have done with this new journal. The cover is one of my photographs that I altered and a little poem I wrote.

The poem seems to say my prayer for all no mater what the circumstance.

https://www.zazzle.com/store/amenmyfriend

Sorry about the formatting. These new blocks are frustrating. Time to brush up on my word press skills, I guess.

May God’s Love Go with You,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Just a Name or a Word Blessing Prayer Journal

Do Justice, Work for Justice, Good Trouble

Posted on 07/21/2020 by Christine

I mentioned in my last post that I had started painting as therapy and prayer during the pandemic. It is something that I have continued.

Yesterday, I was painting a watercolor on a small 3″x9″ piece of watercolor paper. As I painted, thoughts of “what am I doing?”, “I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing.”, and “Lord, what do you want me to do?” ran through my mind. These questions related to what I was supposed to do with the little painting as well as larger questions about what to do with my life.

One of my favorite daily devotions is the Pray As You Go music readings and meditations from the Jesuits in Britain. They use a format similar to Lectio Divina where the reading is read more that once. The reading fro yesterday was Micah 6:1-4, 6-8. It is the reading where we are told that what God asks for us is to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. The translation in Pray As You Go was to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.

When I wondered where to go next with the little painting, it was those words that came again to me. I took that as an answer to not only what to do with the painting, but what to put my focus on as well.

First, I am considering what it means to do justice. With the death of Representative and civil rights leader leader for John Lewis, there has been a quote going around of his. It is “Get into good trouble.” That phrase “good trouble” is challenging. What does that mean? When the bible says “do justice” might Lewis’s words help us discern what that means?

I am trying to live those questions and trying to follow what they mean for me.

Another quote that is significant for me relating to that is from Pope John Paul VI.

If you want Peace, work for Justice.

Holy Spirit, lead us,

Christine

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do Justice, Work for Justice, Good Trouble