Wonder

How is it with your soul? 

In my newly renovated instruction of what I call "mindful movement"- sessions that combine mindfulness, meditation, yoga postures, and pilates/dance strengthening exercises, I begin by asking the participants that question.

I started last week, Monday morning, with a Spiritual Direction session; then, had a wonderful follow up by attending my Spiritual Director Whitney's "Soul Care At Home Workshop". After reflecting on my personal time of wonder and encountering a community full of people who all desire the same deep care for their souls, I felt a strong affirmation in my calling to pursue the contemplative lifestyle- along with whatever that means in pursuing purposeful work in this world.

  1. Affirmation-   1. the action or process of affirming something or being affirmed.
    - assertion, declaration, statement, proclamation, pronouncement, confirmation, endorsement
     
    2. emotional support or encouragement

Don't we all need affirmations in life? From where do you seek yours?
 
In her workshop, Whitney shared a quote by Henry Nouwen, who wrote: "In the terrain of the spiritual life, we all need guides." The best Guide of course, being the person of God Himself, is often times not our very first instinct, nor is He the first One to whom we always turn. But consider this: what if, in every detail of your story, beginning before your conception until this very present moment, the Creator of the Universe was overwhelmingly fascinated in you? Simply in you. Wouldn't you want to know this personal Master Designer of creation? Wouldn't your heart desire to turn toward Heaven and search? The reality is, this God is interested in you! He longs for personal connection with you, for your trust and surrender, that He might be your ultimate Guide.

I wrote in my journal: I can't help but wonder... not why, but what, when, who, where. I have so many unarticulated questions, O God.

They're not necessarily questions about existence or purpose: What happens when I die? What is the meaning of life? I've well explored these basic questions already. (If you wonder these things, as I used to, please reach out, in a comment or email. I'd be more than honored to listen in and be a source of guidance for you in that journey.) But may our questions never cease to come! For in questions, we learn, grow and become. Even if there are no answers, or if the answers seem obscure, the questions themselves allow us to transform. The greatest transformation happens when we take those questions to a trusted friend - a soul friend- or even acknowledge them to Holy God in spirit and in truth. 

I want to encourage you to ask the Great Question Keeper today... anything you'd like! 
What are your thoughts about me? What are you doing? What should I be doing? Who are You? Who am I? 
And then, for a brief moment (or longer) of quiet within your heart, listen. 

You may be surprised of what you hear! You could hear nothing at all... but even silence responds as answers. Keep asking. Keep on seeking. Keep knocking. 

    "Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you."

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