A Meditative Moment...

"Thus meditating you will no longer strive to build yourself up in your prejudices, but, forgetting self, you will remember only that you are seeking the Truth."

I sit here at my computer after a day of quiet here at home. As much as I love to travel and be on the go, sometimes I just have to allow myself a day like this (I really buck it, though). Am I getting old or what? Not something I care to do just yet...

Maybe I should've forced myself to do more (you know, those mundane tasks are always there). However, I've just given myself permission to take it slow and easy. Anyway, many thoughts have occupied my mind today...

~ Why do some not deal with problems openly and head on? Have to say, I've been in that boat too much of my life. Let me tell you it's fraught with problems. Just ignoring things like sin or people who seem to have more than their fair share of problems doesn't solve anything. Believe me, I know... Better to have things out in the open rather than repressed and unsolved in my view. I do realize I'm speaking in generalities.

~ How do we truly help each other when someone's hurting? Somehow, I don't think it takes the form of not being able to talk about problems for fear of being accused of lashon hara (gossip). Sure that can be a problem, but so often we (I) just need a listening ear to bounce my concerns off of as well as needing a perspective other than my own. I think motivation is the key here.

~ Friendship - what does that really look like? I've spent many hours pondering this one. Is it okay for a man and woman who aren't married to be friends? I think so. So few seem to know how to really be a friend - maybe it's just the circles I'm in.

~ Can a man be taught by a woman in the community of believers? I used to be pretty narrow on this one - now, it's not a problem in my view. G-d has gifted a good many women with being excellent teachers. Why would He give that gift if it wasn't to be used? And, we no longer live in the first century - our culture is so different now.

~ Prayer - how do you really 'pray without ceasing'? I've found that I end up talking with the Master so often throughout the day, noticing the ceaseless miracles all around me - He's just so present with me all the time that it's not a stretch to say I understand it now.

~ Worship - Oh, how I've missed really good corporate worship! Recently, I've had opportunity to experience that again - what a tremendous blessing! Even singing in the car with another believer can be so sweet.

~ Leadership in a congregation can be so political. It's impossible to make everyone happy, I know - especially when you're dealing with less than mature people. It's just one more example of how difficult relationship can be. You know, I think it's the hardest part of life. I could rant quite a long time on this topic... best let it go.

~ That leads to another thing. Letting go of those situations, thoughts, and feelings that hinder our growth is so blasted difficult. The crux of this for me is to not let my attachment to places and people hinder my judgement or interfere with obeying the Master. So very hard... I have to trust that He works all things out in His timing and in His way - not mine.

~ Well, that leads to something else - hearing the Master's voice. How do you know when He's telling you something? I'm learning so much about this realizing I've been hearing Him all my life directing, disciplining, encouraging, and loving me. It's all in expecting to hear from Him when I ask a question. I just know when I'm getting an answer. I know that sounds weird, but it's something I just can't explain rationally.

~ Compassion - our Master is nothing but compassionate with us. So, we should show the same to others. To my shame, I've not always done that... I am so grateful for His forgiveness.