August 13, 2017 - Setting off on the first miles of the Notre Dame Trail. Copyright Lisa Hendey. All rights reserved.[/caption]
I'm at my desk this week. Being "home" is the best feeling in the world these days. So much of life feels ungrounded and unstable. I can't really point to the reasons for those feelings effectively. But my hunch is that they surround me because one of my life's greatest stabilizing forces, my mother, is in such a period of transition. I miss our near-daily chats. I miss her omnipresent advice, and her unwavering support. I miss her gentle redirections and her prodding that always challenged me to try more diligently.
I miss Mom.
Missing Mom is somewhat odd because she is very much still a presence in my life. But Mom's transition to a special memory care facility means that I can't speak with her regularly when I am home. I'll be with her very soon in person. That will be amazing and wonderful but will come with a whole new set of challenges.
So why do I bring this up these feelings today? I share them because Tuesday's scriptures hit me squarely between the eyes and pointed out to me my own restlessness. I tend to look for themes in the liturgy of the word, nuggets of hope and encouragement that serve as my "marching orders" at the start of the day. Often, in my lectio divina time, I will ponder a word and pen it in my journal, coming back to it throughout the day.
Tuesday's word was "walk."
"Walk" is a word I seek frequently in scripture. In fact, "walk" was my word for the entire year of 2017. If you pay close attention, you'll find quite a lot of walking in the Bible.
On Tuesday, the Word was full of walks:
Copyright 2019 Lisa Hendey
- The Lord, saying to Abram in Genesis 13, "Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it."
- Psalm 15 reminding us of the things we can do so as not to be disturbed, "He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue."
- And even Jesus, although not using the precise word "walk" in Matthew 7: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."
Copyright 2019 Lisa Hendey
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey
Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at LisaHendey.com or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. Visit Lisa's author page on Amazon.com.
Comments