Every Sunday, I trek out to my parents house and sit co-pilot on the way to church with my dad. It started because I missed chit chatting with him, then he started adding a coffee ritual afterward and I was hooked. It’s a weekly date.
I’ve been to a lot of religious organizations over the years. Starting with my grandmothers and their strict Catholic Churches, my neighbor and her Episcopalian church, Baptist churches just to name a few. Religious reading is often something I turn to; though my reading typically has less to do with Jesus and more to do with Buddha. I do, however, think those two would have been friends, don’t you?
My dad’s church is Catholic. There they do the chanting, the kneeling, standing, kneeling, sitting, standing, confession, the whole 9 yards. If my dad skipped a Sunday, it’s not a church I would pick to attend. It’s not a bad church, but the pastor is a little ‘wet behind the ears’. He just doesn’t have the life experience that I prefer when listening to a sermon. Give me a recovered alcoholic/addict biker to show me the way.
Last Sunday’s sermon, I did take something away. Even on a Tuesday, days later, it’s worth mentioning.
But this story actually started on Saturday. My bestie and I have monthly “retreats” at my house the first of the month, every month. We retreat away from our husbands and kids, though mine are still in the house somewhere. We take this time to dive into a Spiritual Almanac which breaks down the year into living mindfully monthly. Each month has a theme, a fable, affirmations, meditations, movements, rituals, self care, recipes, creativity, journaling prompts and more. We first read the monthly guide, then we journal and discuss insights that come up.
This month was theme was celebration but also it talked about how the natural world withdraws into short, dark days perfect for reflecting. The reflection theme has been ALL around me, I see something about reflections every time I go on social media. My favorite posts are the pictures of the ice on the lake reflecting the sky or the local hockey players.
On Saturday, I journaled about how the ice covering the lake without snow blanketing the Earth made it look like a giant mirror.
I also reflected on the Christmas letter (I have yet to write). Going through the past year, the adventures we had, the struggles, the growth and opportunities still to come.
Saturday was a successful day.
On Sunday, heading out to my parents house for church I pass by 3 lakes. Each one a gentle reminder of the lessons from the retreat. My friend posted this picture of his lake view:
We arrived at church early, which is the only location my dad is EVER early for.
Apparently it was the first advent Sunday of Christmas. I’ve only ever associated Advent with calendars and candy, THAT’s how religious I am…
After the passages were read the pastor talked about how time of year and season EVERYONE is in a hurry. No one has any time for God, we’re rushing from here to there, anxious about family get together and when we get to leave. Then he asked what would happen if we slowed down. What if we didn’t rush, what if we lingered.
Lingered. Hmmm…
I’m naturally a rusher (thank you mom – insert sarcasm here). I have been trying to slow down for years. But when you have two kids to get out of the door, drive to school and get back to clock in at time, not rushing can be difficult. I’ve gotten better, but there is still room for improvement. I’m starting with the weekends. The hours on the weekend are free and I’m committing to savoring each of them. Not rushing, lingering, savoring moments, reflecting.
If this season allows maybe you could do the same 🙂
Here is my FAVORITE reflection picture thus far:
Hockey on a lake…THAT’s Minnesota.