Letting Your Light Shine: Talents, Treasures and Tasks for 2014

It's now only 36 hours or so since touching back down in Syracuse after spending 10 days in 80+ degree sunny weather in southwest Florida.  We were pampered by good friends Martha and Denis, relaxing and being treated to home cooked nutritious and delicious meals.


As I sat in the sun and pondered what might be worth sharing, it occurred to me that the appreciation of the warmth, soft breeze and bright sunshine was only possible after having experienced the cold, harsh winds and whiteout conditions we've experienced here at home.

Isn't it really true in our lives as well?  We take so much for granted without so much as a passing thought until it is snatched out of our lives sometimes without so much as a polite warning.  Never have I required such effort to simply move about freely than over the past few months as I drag around what could be a six year old making even bending over to pick something up, a near Olympian feat!

The current medical status is that I am on a strong dose of a synthetic drug that imitates the hormone progesterone to keep the cancer cells that feed on estrogen from growing any further.  As I understand things, I can remain on this drug indefinitely with the trade off of managing the side effects of fluid retention and appetite stimulation, which, in four months has taken me from a size 6 to a 16!  Hopefully it will level off sometime soon.

Still, the experiences over the past 18 months are not leaving me resentful, angry or lamenting 'why me'? In fact, 'why not me'?  Who do I think I am that I should be spared the suffering and sickness that so may people experience every day of their lives?  I read something recently that said 'it is in our pain and suffering that Jesus gets close enough to kiss us'.  How powerful is that image?  And what a trade off worth making!  What I have been focusing on is how the opportunity this illness has provided me time to pause and really discern what my life has been about until now and what it might look like in the future, that God willing, I get to live.  Had I not gotten sick, would I still be rushing around, running from one thing to the next without so much as a backward glance?  Probably.

Instead, in just the last couple of months that I understand I am medically 'stable', have I been able to look inward with a view to what is most important in my life rather than everyone else's, what gifts and talents I have to share, and how can I let my light shine within the context of this new life.

As we ponder what we are here on earth to 'do', or what purpose are we to fulfill, if you have faith in God, or a higher power, it really is quite simple, 'to love and serve the Lord with all your heart'.  Ok so what does that mean and how do we carry it out in this frenetic, technologically charged world of ours?
As I took the time to consider what gifts God may have given me to serve Him, I thought about those things that come to me as naturally as breathing.  It's those skills or traits that I sometimes I don't realize  others enjoy.

Let me give you an example; I feel like I effortlessly carry around a giant white board and every meeting, interaction and opportunity gets put on the white board like dots or pins on a map.  Over time, it seems so natural to start connecting the dots and seeing a wonderful picture emerge that draws people together, intersecting lives and facilitating relationships that otherwise may not emerge.  The deep sense of heartfelt satisfaction tells me that it's only through the grace of God that I am able to carry this out and, in turn, serving Him.  How easy and natural is that?

Each of us has our own unique talents that light up our lives. Perhaps what we are to do with them, is to fan the flame of our own lights by becoming acutely aware of the gifts we have and using them to the best of our ability.  Now that I might have something of a future to look forward to, I have decided that 2014 requires a plan to nurture and heal my physical self as well as my inner being.  It's a time for choosing those things that will best contribute to my overall sense of well being that aligns me with the role that God has for me.  I hope to emerge as a more caring and thoughtful individual who puts the care and serving of others ahead of my own wants and desires.  Keep in mind though, this is not at the expense of myself, my own oxygen mask first, and only then aiding others.

In the area of Spiritual Direction, I have been working with Phil, Deacon of our church, to practice what is known as 'Ignatian Spirituality' (based on St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit priesthood), more simply known as 'praying with indifference'.  It is a means of letting go of outcomes and leaving the final decisions to God and leaving total faith and control in His hands instead of trying to guide and direct our own future.  It does not mean simply cocooning and doing nothing but dwelling on our comfortable lives, but rather to be courageous enough to allow God to work through us and be ready to serve the needs of the world that He sees us able to fulfill.

Since the start of my spiritual direction sessions, I have changed my intentions when praying from asking for a cure to asking for 'total acceptance of God's Will for all aspects of my life with a wise and understanding heart'.

Since my last post, I've read a book by Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit priest turned high powered financier turned author, called Pope Francis, Why He Leads the Way He Leads.  Throughout the book, we are encouraged to use our gifts for the greatest good of all, to be a personal example of living a life of humility and even as individuals to let our own unique leadership qualities shine.  For me it is one of the best publications I've read that helps me reconcile my inner spiritual needs with the outer, busyness of our world.

In closing, much of 2014 will be invested in self care such as physical exercise, mindfulness through meditation, proper diet, spiritual direction, contemplation and discernment through solitude topped off with some creative activities yet to be determined.

Take care, wishing you all the best and I'll be back in a couple of weeks…….
God Bless,
Liz
"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive".