Happy New Year

  Happy New Year!  How are your resolutions going so far?  If you haven't made any yet (or the ones you have made have already been broken), let me share some inspiration I just found in a great book I'm reading called An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor.  Brown, a minister, left the church to become a professor.  In leaving behind the sacraments of the church that she dearly loved, she struggled to find new symbols of faith in her "ordinary" life.  Thus, this book is made up of the spiritual practices of daily life (i.e. The practices of waking up to God, paying attention, wearing skin, walking on the Earth, getting lost, encountering others, living with purpose, saying no, carrying water, feeling pain, being present to God, and pronouncing blessings).  

 

  I was moved by a particular practice in chapter two, which focused on developing an attitude of reverence.  Reverence is the awe of understanding that there is something greater than ourselves.  While it can be found in many places, Brown comments on how often we lack it in our lives due to our busy pursuits that seem to state that we are of the utmost importance.  She suggests instead taking moments out of our day to pay attention to others.  

 

  Instead of being annoyed or angered when others cut us off in traffic or disturb our peace with loud cell phone conversations, we could take a moment to pay attention to these other individuals, realizing they have their own lives, issues, and struggles.  We may see them as being on the periphery of our important lives, but they likely view us the same way.  When we take a moment to value their humanity, we accept our own as well. We may then recognize them as a neighbor, whom we are to love as we love ourselves. 

 

  And wouldn't this, this second greatest commandment, make a great resolution for 2010?

 

  May God grant us eyes to see, hearts to feel, and hands and feet to serve and share God's love in this new year.

Rev. Jenny Frazier Call, M.Div.
Director of Christian Education
HopeTree Family Services

P.O. Box 849