Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Note: shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel

“For you must realize that earth unfolds its properties and powers in union with Heaven aloft above us, and there is one Heart, one Being, one Will, one God, all in all.” -German mystic, Jacob Boehme

Lent invites introspection and an opportunity to self examine; to make amends with ourselves and others. Everything happens in relationship.

 What I long for is respite from the frenetic chaos of lightening speed change. Perhaps this is true for you too? Can we pause long enough to read this prayer and find a few moments of stillness with a listening heart… what needs tending in your life?

Lord of laughter, as of tears,
shake me awake
and teach me to laugh at myself, girl meditating
        at my black-draped solemnity,
                over my petty preoccupation with success and failure,
                        through all the hurt and adversity
 until my laughter lures me deep
        beneath the terrors without names,
                beneath the questions without answers,
                        beneath the pain without relief,
lures me deep
        to the love in me unused,
                to the strength unspent,
                            to the courage untapped,
                                     to the dream unrisked,
                                                to the beauty unexpressed,
all the way down
        to the inescapable bottom,
                to the awareness that I must get on
                    with being who I am
                            as fully as I can,
                                    as unflinchingly as I can,
                                            as accurately as I can,
which is to say,
         as gracefully
                as powerfully,
                        as faithfully
as you have created me to be.

By Ted Loder Excerpt from "Guerrillas of Grace,  Prayers for the Battle"

Best friends

Photo: girl meditating Oct 2016, Burlington Vermont by ~liz
Photo:best friends reconnecting on our journey through life; New York by Rachel Mezo

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14 responses to “Days 70-71 One Heart”

  1. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    Thanks to Chip and Liz for sharing. I am deeply moved by this poetic masterful poem! The phrase “get on with being who I am as fully as I can”, says it all to me, as I sometimes forget that “being” is the true antidote for today’s frenetic, speed-oriented times.
    We need but do not want, to slow down; see all “the flowers” around us; breathe in our precious air; share more of our limitless love with others, and try to sense how precious life is, every crystal-clear moment, from now into eternity!

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  2. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Hi Terry, I am so glad that Ted Loder’s prayer resonated with you too. I highly recommended his book, I think you would find it meaningful. Thanks for posting and for your presence here.

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  3. Anne Milligan Avatar
    Anne Milligan

    A wonderful share. Thank you!!

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  4. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thanks so much for taking the time to pause and receive Ted Loder’s gift and for gifting me in return.

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  5. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    How apt, Liz – thank you. The opening lines capture my heart, “Lord of laughter, as of tears, shake me awake”. We need both and how often it is in our stillness that the laughter shakes us as well as the tears feel free to flow. The words in one of the verses of Bernadette Farrell’s song, God Beyond All Names, find an echo in Ted’s poem.
    God, beyond all words,
    All creation tells your story;
    You have shaken with our laughter
    You have trembled with our tears.

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  6. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    Thank you Liz for this beautiful reflection during this time as we ponder on the goodness of the Lord in this Season of Lent. He has bestowed upon us Grace, Power and Faith and may we walk in them in our daily lives.

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  7. Woody Wessel Avatar
    Woody Wessel

    Very nice, Liz.

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  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Good morning Maureen, thanks for sharing your awakened heart and making the connection for us with Bernadette Farrell’s song. I will have to check out her music.

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  9. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Hi Suan, thanks for offering us a blessing; may peace be with thee and thee and thee!

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  10. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thanks for your affirmation and for visiting here today, Wood.

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  11. Chapman Health International Avatar

    Every line of this poem is a sweet invitation and I was struck by each and by all.
    “until my laughter lures me deep
    beneath the terrors without names”
    It is so rare to recognize that laughter can be so powerful – can penetrate the cacophony so that we can hear our own spirit. This is the kind of peace that I wish every caregiver could read, Liz. Meanwhile thank you for offering it.

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  12. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    I appreciate your receiving Loder’s prayer in this way, Erie and for highlighting the power of laughter to reconnect us with our spirit as well as your wish for caregivers. Thank you, Erie.

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  13. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    Hi, I just bought Loder’s book “Guerrillas”; should be worthwhile!

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  14. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Wonderful, enjoy, Terry!

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