I Saw God
Graffiti. A bare tree. My dog’s pink tongue. This is where I’m seeing God these days.
My Lenten discipline this year for the forty days preceding Easter is to see God every day and share my sightings on my Facebook author page. I’ve had many, varied Lenten disciplines over the years. During my childhood, mostly no sweets. As an adult, often no alcohol; easier, now, for me to give up than sweets. 🙂 Last year, we did vegan for three days a week. By the end of the first week the practice had knocked me off my I-don’t-eat-much-red-meat-so-I’m righteous pedestal. I HATED it. But I learned how very much I depended on animals to stay alive. This Lent, I wanted my practice to force me to be with God.
I Saw God Today
in the graffitied encouragement on the warehouse loading dock when, after a grueling ( 🙂 ) physical therapy session, I plopped into the chair in NOCCA’s new cafe and glanced out the window: ‪#‎Lent2015‬
My sightings of God are not going to be yours. For the most part, they don’t take place in church (particularly when I’m recovering from a hip replacement and not going to church.) It has dawned on me that when I finish Lent, if you follow my postings, you are going to know what I believe about God. This can be a scary thing.
I Saw God Today
when Evangeline’s pink tongue poked from her mouth and licked my thumb. We love our pets whole-heartedly, knowing full well their time on this earth is briefer than ours and we are sure to mourn their passing. God is in the courage of that love. #Lent2015
You will have seen my underlying melancholy.
I Saw God Today
in the shadow of a parked car, the outline crisply defined, appearing in the parking lot only because the sun chose to shine. “Do not rue the shadow; it means the sun shines nearby.” #Lent2015
You will see where I believe the Spirit to reside.
I Saw God Today
in the stark beauty of this tree, its bare white limbs soaring in a city that celebrates its live oaks ‪#‎Lent2015‬
You will see clearly how much I love my husband.
I Saw God Today
in my husband’s hands as he pressed into place the covering to protect my incision. “Let’s get out all your bubbles,” he said, gently checking his work. The covering crackled. His palms smoothed, done. ‪#‎Lent2015‬
But as you click on Like depending on the content of the post, I will see what resonates with your Spirit too. I’ve already discovered that, for most folks, it’s more likable to see God in the light rather than the dark. I am trying not to get sidetracked by reader’s reactions but to swim forward based on my own watery, blurred sightings. Each day I wonder, will I see God today? I can’t think ahead, can’t plan, cannot fake it. I must wait for that moment when the air coalesces and a frisson arrives, and I know: that’s God.
Now you may think I’m a tad touched. So be it. No one searching for God in this world is gonna be altogether sane.
I Saw God Today
in the corona of Mary. She traveled with me to Nazareth where she was sprinkled with water from the well. I rubbed her image this morning and the oil from my thumb polished her golden rays. Why did I see God in Mary? Because I missed her and went looking for her. ‪#‎Lent2015‬
giving up for lent, god in the world, Lent, Lent 2015, lenten discipline, lenten practice, liturgical calendar, seeing God
Marisa
I love this! I think I’m a tad touched too–I see God in unusual places, often in small, gentle spaces I don’t expect. Your posts have indeed resonated with me, and I’ve no question our vision is much the same.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Well, I don’t feel so alone, then, Marisa. In fact, I’m in good company!
Joe Hawes
I agree that we each see God in different ways and at different times.
Still the underlying theology of your Lenten discipline does speak to me.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
There is a theology underlying it, isn’t there, Joe? Glimpses of it come through, I think, in some posts more than others
Erin
Thank you for this lovely posting! I spend a lot of time outdoors and often feel surrounded by God, but I don’t always take the time to appreciate the moment. I will now.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
It’s been a good discipline for me, Erin. Making me keep my eyes open every day.
Joanne Corey
Thanks so much for sharing your God sightings and inviting us all to look for our own.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
You’re welcome! It’s been hard to blog lately, but I figured I could share this discipline into a post. Glad you liked it.
Luanne
What a beautiful post, Ellen. I am always surprised to see/hear/feel God in unexpected places, but then the surprise itself is seeing God anew every time.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks, Luanne. I do tend to experience God in unexpected places unexpectedly. 🙂 It’s been interesting how many people this sharing has resonated with. Just when you’ve convinced yourself you’re really strange . . . .