Way is my word of the year. I love this practice as it wakes up your mind and heart to notice, to listen, to seek new understanding of a word that resonates where you are on your journey. You begin to pay attention to where the way appears in various forms and often within people and even difficult circumstance. The Word of Year practice offers opportunities to grow, to learn, and to be stretched in new ways.
When my hubby drives on long trips, I love reading the billboards – some are so funny. Some points us to possibilities. Some I just shake my head at and wonder what it would be like to be that cheesy-accident-call-me-first attorney and do that for a living. So I have been noticing “WAY” as signposts on this year’s journey. I’m collecting, listening, and noting Way Signposts that are appearing this summer.
Signposts
1. Stay porous – This roadsign reminded me the value of staying open. I love the image of being porous and shared this with my spiritual director. She shared that porous means keeping the clay moist so it could be pliable. “Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isiah 64:8. A meaningful way to live: soaking in God’s love.
2. Goodness – One of the prayers I have this year is for strength and insight to quit clinging distractions and obstacles that stand in my way to becoming closer to God. And I am learning to pay attention to lessons even from my hinderances. While praying last week, I sensed I was sitting in a pasture, next to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We silently watched the sheep as they gazed. I asked Jesus, “What do you do as you watch us?” He replied, “I pray and I listen.” “Listen? What all do you hear?” “I hear pain, anguish, hunger. I hear busyness and distraction too.” “What?” I responded. “you listen to my busyness and distractions? What do you hear then?” Jesus answered, “Goodness, even in them. Listen for the goodness, Jeanie.” What a signpost along the way! Find the goodness in all.
3. Greenfingers. Terry Hershey in his newsletter recommended Greenfingers, “a twee little British comedy in which hardened prisoners become gifted gardeners and are allowed to enter their prize flowers in the Hampton Court Garden Show. It is loosely based on the true story.” The movie can be watched free on YouTube and I found it a delightful signpost. It’s not what is possible but how is this possible? Try something new. Take the risk. You may just grow and find a new way to seeing and being yourself.
Other signposts are on the horizon but in the power practices of noticing and naming what I am experiencing is showing my WAY.
The year is halfway over already! What are you noticing and learning?
I agree with Martha. I love the insight God revealed as you sat with him in that imaginary pasture. Our Lord does indeed listen to us, care for us, and even pray for us. What an attentive Savior!
I love the entire imagery of you sitting in a pasture with Jesus and the conversation that ensues. It's such a miracle that He cares about each one of us in such depth of love and grace. God is always in the details when we look for those signs along the way. Blessings, Jean!