Aligning with Grace

Painting is like meditation... Painting IS a meditation! I have spent the last few days painting walls, with a few more left to do... This morning, as a new basement door and storm door were being installed, I took a few mo ments to carefully inspect the painted walls and note the spots I had missed earlier this week, as I mentally reflected on my work. What I realized, as I painted, is that I am attracted to this endeavor because of its meditative qualities. It is an activity that is solitary, and one which requires both practice and concentration, if one is to become "better" at it. Earlier in the week, when I began the project of painting the upstairs hallway, I did not know if I would complete it in a day. And it did not matter. I gave myself totally and wholeheartedly to the task at hand. Later on the second day of painting, I posted this as my status on Facebook: "If you concentrate and surrender, you are in the flow and become one with the painting and...

I paint walls... I prepare my house... I make my house ready... I listen to a poem, written by Mary Oliver, which is read by the pastor presiding at Sunday's liturgy. I have not heard it before, but I soak it in... Two days later, I remember the poem and look it up. I realize I have the volume where this poem is found, and also notice it has previously appeared in publications such as America... Making the House Ready for the Lord Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but still nothing is as shining as it should be for you. Under the sink, for example, is an uproar of mice it is the season of their many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves and through the walls the squirrels have gnawed their ragged entrances but it is the season when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow; what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling in the yard and ...

I was a little apprehensive this morning. I always am when I need to go to the doctor. It is not my favorite thing... I was due for a 6 month check up with my cardiologist. At our last meeting she wanted me to get all of my numbers in a target range, which I am happy to report, I either met or exceeded. But that is not why I am making this entry... When I got to the office, the nurse checking me in noted that my referral had expired. I thought it was good for 5 visits. It is - but within a certain time-frame. That, I did not know. She asked me to call my primary care physician's practice to have it faxed over. The problem is - they require a 24 to 48 hour notice. I called anyway and left my message. As the time of my appointment drew near, the nurse asked me if I had heard from my doctor's office. I shook my head negatively. So, she called. She spoke very nicely to the person at the other end whom I know to often be - shall we just say - "hard edged." The nu...