prayer candles

so my most recent significant spiritual experience (or is it just a personal trend?) has been lighting prayer candles. i brought prayer candles to canvas (church) for a contemplative service a few weeks ago and everyone lit a prayer candle for the duration of the service. the prayer candle usually represents a particular prayer, and (for me, at least) is often one that is especially "frustrating." i am avoiding the word "burden," a word in my humble opinion that is overused and abused by evangelicals.

i light a prayer candle tonight for someone in my family...

"LORD make us instruments of your peace.
where there is hatred let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

o divine master, grant that we may not seek so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardonning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen"

-- attributed to John Bernardone ("Francis of Assisi"), 13th Century

Dreams, Beginnings and Completions

SO much has changed in my world this year. A couple beginnings, but mainly completions. The completion of a 3-year love, the completion of a master's degree (yeah!), both the beginning and completion of a chaplain internship, and the completion of a church plant. Of course, as all of these come to pass, I picture myself standing out in the middle of nowhere with my arms up in the air, calling out the three-letter word: w-h-y?

it's a good question. it comes throughout life, but particularly during times like this. but in the midst of change and questions, i am reminded that in times of completion, the One who Loves is ever-present. This presence is revealed to me through both new connections and those I know and love dearly.

The One who Loves walks with you always.