Amy Welborn is a contributor - five devotions per issue - to the Living Faith daily devotional .
Today, August 27:
Of course, we search, and we seek. God created us to do just that. But the journey, it seems, goes astray when it becomes oriented towards chasing answers from God to every question rather than being eager to respond to the questions God has for me, content to answer him with my life and my love.
MORE
, July 31:
I’m no prophet, but isn’t the dynamic Jesus describes here much the same? A prophet—Jeremiah, and the Lord himself—has a perspective gained, not just from experience but from eternal insight that can see far beyond what our own narrow viewpoint reveals. Do we resent this and cling to our own narrowness—or do we humbly and gratefully listen?
MORE
July 6:
An acquaintance of mine was running in a marathon, and I was interested in the finish, so I clicked on the visual feed of racers crossing the line. As I watched, I felt inspired. Not by the big winners, though, the pros obviously in shape and position to grab the glory. No, it was the stragglers, dogged and exhausted, who got my attention. They barely jogged, walked and limped across the finish line. But they weren’t sad about their placement; rather, they were jubilant. They’d accomplished their goals. They had not given up!
MORE
May 10:
Well, Jesus gives us a “TL;DR” here in case we can’t be bothered—or have forgotten—all that he teaches us in his words and deeds: in case we’ve gotten distracted by issues, arguments or even mystical quests, in case we’ve arrived in a place where we excuse our self-serving views and pursuits with the perennial, “Well, I’m sure what Jesus really meant was…”
MORE
April 23:
I can sometimes allow my understanding of myself, my life and God to stagnate. I assume I get it, that I’ve got the answers for all the good—and bad—questions and challenges.
But is that really so? Is what I think I know now all there is to know? Might I be more open to the Philip I might meet along the way, ready, as the Ethiopian, to have my eyes opened to something new?
MORE
April 4:
Have you ever hit rock bottom? Have you ever been in a situation of such sadness and darkness that you could not imagine ever—I mean ever—feeling anything close to joy again? That there was simply no way to loosen the chains, to not feel the weight of grief, frustration or helplessness that afflicted you at that moment?
And have you ever made it through? Have you found that with time and grace, light glimmers and the weight that seemed to define your days has lightened?
That glimpse? Take that and blow it up, expand it to eternity and let it surround and then sweep away all the heavy darkness of your entire life—of the world.
MORE
March 23:
To imaginatively place ourselves in a Gospel scene is an ancient spiritual practice. To do so here invites us to first see ourselves in a special place: alone with Jesus.
Now he asks: Who has condemned us?
MORE
March 8:
Once again, Jesus’ disciples seem to be almost clueless. They’re also intimidated: They don’t dare ask Jesus why he’s talking to this woman. Here, they can’t see past the literal meaning of his words about food. This dynamic can be both a concern and a comfort to me.
If the disciples spent day and night with Jesus and still didn’t grasp his meaning or purpose, what hope do I have? On the other hand, if even the disciples were confused, I suppose I shouldn’t feel badly when I am either.
MORE
, February 26:
There are so many ways that the Lord gives us strength. It can come as we open ourselves to his grace and just find ourselves stronger in mind, spirit and body. He can bless us with wisdom that gives us perspective and, therefore, strength.
And, of course, God answers our call and strengthens us through others who share our joys and pain, who laugh and cry with us. They are brothers and sisters with whom we can stay strong and even joyful during the journey serving God’s people.
MORE
February 2:
What a richly layered feast this is. It’s the real and final end of the Christmas season: Until a few years ago, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square stayed up until this feast. It’s a day to remember and celebrate religious women and men. And over the centuries, the tradition has grown of bringing candles from home to church to be blessed on this day. Candles that, before electricity, would have been used throughout the year, not just for a decorative touch but to give light necessary for everyday living. The candles, then blessed, would shed not only natural light, but be a sign of Christ’s presence.
MORE
December 28:
Among all the genres of viral videos out there, one that I find most affecting is one I’d call “Children meeting their newborn siblings for the first time.”
From teens to toddlers, those moments are nothing but joy. Even small children break into happy tears when their tiny swaddled-up brother or sister is gently placed in their arms. What a mysterious, profound bond is family love!
MORE
November 19:
Could it be that part of Jesus’ “love language” is to gently and persistently remind me to never rest comfortably in my own worldview? That God always has more to reveal to me, and that I always have more to learn?
MORE
November 2:
In many of these shrines, small and large, there’s another image too. It’s a photograph. An old woman. A child. A young man in a uniform. A candle flickers nearby.
Don’t forget, they say. You walk by and ask for prayers. Don’t forget to pray for us too.
MORE
October 11:
A friend is going through a terrible, world-shifting time. Life today looks completely different than it did even six months ago. She’s done what she could, but she really can’t do any more. It’s hard and sad. We do what we can to accompany those in difficult places. But it’s a challenge to offer words that don’t end up sounding like empty platitudes, isn’t it? Or even, if we’re going through our own hard times, reading words like the psalmist’s and believing them.
MORE
, June 6:
A few years ago, I wandered into a little church in Ferrara, Italy, and saw a black and white photo of a woman religious in front of a tomb. This Sr. Veronica of the Blessed Sacrament was a Carmelite mystic who had died in 1964. Her canonization cause (in Italian) is: SuorVeronica.org.
I was struck, first, by the notion of running into a new-to-me saint around the corner. What surprising people and stories might I encounter anywhere if I’m paying attention?
Saints Are People Who Love Their Families
