Wisdom
A reading from the First Book of Kings
The Most Holy One appeared to Solomon in a dream and said,
"Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Solomon answered: “Most Holy One, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
God was pleased that Solomon made this request and said to him:
"Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”
Wisdom has been on my mind lately. It keeps popping up in lectionary texts, articles I am reading, thoughts from my Spiritual Director, and even in text messages from friends. Wisdom. When faced with life’s challenges wisdom is not usually my go-to prayer. I am a contemplative soul so much of my time is spent in communion with God without words. I spend time in silence and solitude and find renewal in and through time apart with the Holy One. I find freedom in releasing discursive word-filled prayers until all at once I am faced with a huge pothole in the road of my life and the words flow forth. My Spiritual Director suggested that perhaps this season of life is inviting the return of words in my relationship with God, that perhaps words have a new gravitas in light of my present circumstances. My very own totally unique pothole of life…
Have you ever held joy and grief simultaneously? I didn’t think it was possible until now. On July 1st I published my first book called, Travel Altars, which went to #1 in New Releases in Spirituality and Religion within 24 hours on Amazon. What a delight! Friends far and wide have shared lovely feedback and personal stories of their own practice of creating Travel Altars and photos of Travel Altars from Oregon to California, to Brussels, to Padre Island have filled my soul with joy. Within a day of this experience, I received news of a serious concern on an MRI that seemed really scary. As I write on July 30th I will meet with the specialist tomorrow to receive the final plan and prognosis. A month of uncertainty. A month of prayers with lots of words. A month of feeling encompassed by God’s love and presence in my life. A month of grief and sorrow. A month of inexplicable joy. And wisdom keeps coming to mind…
Somehow asking for wisdom for myself seems unspecific and yet when Solomon asked for wisdom God was pleased. Asking for wisdom is a form of trusting in the goodness of God in my midst to show me the path forward. Trust is another word that keeps coming to mind. I am trusting Divine Presence to go before me and surround me as I go through this time. Knowing that whatever happens God is truly with me, changes everything. I hope for a good outcome but whatever comes next my soul will be okay. I feel such gratefulness and gratitude for all who have been and will continue to pray for me. I am ringing a bell of hope each day and living into the possibilities.
O, Holy One,
Give me the grace
To lay down
my burdens…
The ones
I find hard
to let go.
Give me the grace
To put down
the heaviest
of burdens…
Fear, sorrow, regret
Sadness, loss, and grief.
Set me on the path
Of wisdom, truth, and love.
Amen.
Thanks for allowing me a personal note today.
This comes with love on waves of heat in the hottest month on record… Mary Ann
