Thursday, October 07, 2021

Spiritual Journey Thursday: Here

"When someone asks us where we want to be in our lives, the last thing that occurs to us is to look down at our feet and say, 'Here, I guess, since this is where I am.'" Barbara Brown Taylor, in An Altar in the World


I should have written my post this morning, instead of waiting until I came home from work, tired and grumpy. It is easier for me to be spiritual in the morning, when the day's possibilities still lie ahead and the temperature is cool and the birds are singing outside my window. 


And yet here is where I am, here in this place, here in this body, here at this age, here in this moment. This is the reality of my life, the only time I can claim. Here.

 

So. Here is where I am. Here after my disappointing day and before the night when I may or may not sleep. Here, where things aren't the way I'd choose for them to be. Here, with my children far away. And here, with so much to be thankful for. Here, with the food I just ate sitting comfortably in my belly. Here, in my healthy body that's not in pain. Here, loved. Here, with God. Here. 

 

Ramona, this month's host, asked us to reflect on the word "here." You can see what she and everyone else said... here.

7 comments:

Linda Mitchell said...

Can I just say...amen...and let that be the comment? My goodness. No truer words than these: "It is easier for me to be spiritual in the morning, when the day's possibilities still lie ahead and the temperature is cool and the birds are singing outside my window."
I feel like you've been in my head.

Ramona said...

I echo Linda's words and celebrate your honesty in this post. "Here, loved. Here, with God, Here." These words make a beautiful mantra!
This mantra and the Barbara Brown Taylor quote are going in my notebook. Thank you for writing.

Denise Krebs said...

Ruth, Amen from me too. What a beautiful prose poem. I love this so much. Thank you for sharing your heart, and your faith even in everyday times, not so joyful, we are "here, loved, ...with God" Indeed! Beautiful words today.

Fran Haley said...

It is easier for me to "be spiritual in the morning" too, Ruth. Your final paragraph is so full of shining truth - here, loved, with God. Even in the exhaustion, with an oft-battered spirit...praise. Many thanks for this glorious reflection.

Karen Eastlund said...

Thank you, Ruth. Beautiful and true.

Carol Varsalona said...

Ruth, I am finally here to read your SJT post, knowing that I was not there on SJT posting day. Days slip by me but you have given me reason to pause and reflect on the word "here:. The Lord is with you and your calm has just touched my soul. What a wonderful way to end my day.

Margaret Simon said...

Sorry I didn't make the Spiritual Thursday rounds, but as I'm reading in the early morning, I can so relate. I like to write in the morning because otherwise I either put it off or write dribble because I am so tired. Writing alongside my students feeds my soul. Prayers for you, my friend. PS: Loving your daily bird poems. That practice must be wonderful soulfood.