Rev. Kendy Miller, Associate Conference Minister
As I was driving to Dubuque for the Boundary Awareness Training last week, I started getting tired. It’s never fun to fight driving fatigue, especially at the end of the day. I don’t know about you, but I have some go-to methods for reviving myself to ensure a safe journey. 1) Taylor Swift, 2) Duran Duran, and 3) Trish Bruxvoort Colligan. I’m guessing you have heard of the first two, and only a few of you will recognize Trish’s name.
On Wednesday, the first two options weren’t working so well, so I brought out the heavy-hitter – Trish Bruxvoort Colligan. Trish is from Iowa and her music not only throws off the yawns of driving, but it inspires me to remember my invitation to live fully. Turning the volume up, (way up,) I sing the lyrics I know by heart, noticing them calling me into my deeper self. Calling me toward God. I had forgotten how generative it is to sink into her lyrics; I had forgotten, I realized, that I needed to be called toward God after what has been a difficult couple of months.
Before I share some of the songs that do this special work of calling me in, I wonder what methods you use when you need to be reminded of your true nature? What calls you back to yourself with God at the center? Are you like me and forget to do that for yourself when life gets busy, even as you remind others to do it? I invite you to pause for a moment and either contemplate these questions in silence, or jot a few of your thoughts down for further reflection.
I am grateful for the moments of prayer that come about like this – where the Divine grasps my heart when I was simply trying to stay awake; when external stimuli can shape my inner landscape, folding it with grace. Psalm 139:5 conveys, “You encompass me, behind and before, and your hand rests upon me.” We are never without God’s abiding love, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded.
Come to the Edge ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLxOMk-ypKY
The Avowal ~ https://youtu.be/88Nc4wOgeAk?si=6NpxgiqSCvoZMH0T
Coming Home ~ https://youtu.be/kakmZLDIGiE?si=asNTyEY-eJflVz1B
What If ~ https://youtu.be/cKVr_sr07Qg?si=JGosem6M0cyhfQyc
Deep peace,
Kendy