More life, please
Pain isn't the only thing that opens up places in our hearts. What about the "wow" factor of certain experiences, encountering beauty, or really connecting with another person?
Some places in my heart came to be by having and raising children. I was surprised by joy and amazement in observing and bonding with each of my 3 tiny sons. How could they be so different from one another, and how could I learn so much about the unconditional love of my Father God by parenting them? In laughing at the funny things they said and did my heart opened even more. When I was expecting my middle son, I didn't see how I could have more love to share. I felt I was using 100% of my love 100% of the time with Jeff in our lives. But I found that I had plenty more love when Nick arrived, and again for Ben. Even now as they move into adulthood and become much more independent, I'm finding new places in my heart while our relationships shift. Whenever God brings new friends into my life, the potential is there for deep connection and the same kind of inner expansion process.
There is an almost indefinable something that happens when we encounter beauty. In an instant we can be overwlemed by a glimpse of God seen afresh through nature, art, music or something from our everyday lives. Our hearts swell with gratitude. We are changed. We think of being more alive at certain times and with certain people. And it's true. Life has increased because we have a greater capacity for being there for it, receiving it and experiencing it more fully.
Some places in my heart came to be by having and raising children. I was surprised by joy and amazement in observing and bonding with each of my 3 tiny sons. How could they be so different from one another, and how could I learn so much about the unconditional love of my Father God by parenting them? In laughing at the funny things they said and did my heart opened even more. When I was expecting my middle son, I didn't see how I could have more love to share. I felt I was using 100% of my love 100% of the time with Jeff in our lives. But I found that I had plenty more love when Nick arrived, and again for Ben. Even now as they move into adulthood and become much more independent, I'm finding new places in my heart while our relationships shift. Whenever God brings new friends into my life, the potential is there for deep connection and the same kind of inner expansion process.
There is an almost indefinable something that happens when we encounter beauty. In an instant we can be overwlemed by a glimpse of God seen afresh through nature, art, music or something from our everyday lives. Our hearts swell with gratitude. We are changed. We think of being more alive at certain times and with certain people. And it's true. Life has increased because we have a greater capacity for being there for it, receiving it and experiencing it more fully.
"My purpose is to give life in all its fullness...so they can have real and eternal life-- more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall brim, spill out and flow from the depths of the inmost being of anyone who believes in me." --Jesus (Jn. 10:10; 7:38)
posted by Jennifer at 1:09 PM
1 Comments:
hooray for Kathleen Norris and the way she writes about her heart opening up during her time at the monastery. one of my favorite books.
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