The Cup of Life Top Seven

The Cup of Life

Okay, so we did not come up with a Top Ten list, but I am not one who concerns my self with "rules" of needing TEN! Seven works well and, unlike David Letterman, these are in no particular order:

1. Joyce's Poems
2. The Quotes at the beginning of each reading
3. Breathprayers
4. Reflections
5. Scripture passages, especially the Psalms
6. Journaling
7. The Pictures/Etchings found through out the book

Some might see it as a cop-out, but the Wednesday Lunch Bunch did not think any of the devotions or readings stood out as being better than another, because..."each reading either stands on or is opened more within another."

They were right. A good foundation builds and is supported by what comes first.  Yet, if you removed or do not continue to include later pieces, you have a row of stones rather than something that grows and becomes strong and supportive.

Thinking along these lines, I wonder if the Top Seven things offered by the group yesterday are the mortar? The lessons were wonderful, yet, I wonder if they would have been as challenging and life building on their own?  Without the poems and quotes to prepare the soil of our hearts where the foundation would begin being built?  The Breathprayers, Reflections, Scripture, Journaling...I wonder if they became the mortar, the glue that held each lesson, transitioning me from one to the next...?

Jane Pitz

The wonderful sketches done by Jane Pitz...these drawings were simple, yet some very provocative and thoughtful. A favorite was the hand holding up a cup to begin Week VI: The Blessing Cup.

This tree, by Jane could be a
great image for my next book.

I have never been able to find any of Jane's etchings to include in my journal, however, one can look at some of her other work here: Art by Jane Pitz

For my own thoughts and wanderings, I am awed that I was led first to Joyce's book, The Cup of Life and then Macrina's book A Tree Full of Angels. Macrina's book has received 4-5 Star rating on Amazon.  I read several of the comments.  One read:

This book by Macrina Wiederkehr, "A Tree Full of Angels",is a keeper. As I was reading it I kept marking the different incites of Macrina Wiederkehr, which I will go back to again and again for the wisdom they impart to me. I purchased other copies of this book to give to a few receptive friends. If you are a believer in experiences with God, this book is for you.

Other thoughts on her book:

A personalized invitation to stop, look, and listen for God in the here and now... She wants us to gather up the crumbs, the little things in our lives, and realize they have the makings of a banquet." -- Abbot Jerome Kodell

I loved this image. It helped to remind
me how thirsty I was feeling...

Wonderful thoughts, but, as I have been reading this new book, I am not sure I would have been able to embrace and hold Macrina's book quite as well without first having my heart prepped by The Cup of Life.

As I ponder all I have read, thought, and written...and forgotten for now, Jeremiah 29:10-14 comes to my mind:

 ¹⁰ This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

While, the eleventh verse has always tugged at my heart, this morning it is verse 13. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Sometimes it seems as though I have more questions than I have answers.  Sometimes it seems I am walking in circles. Sometimes I sit down and want to stop...maybe to pout...maybe to cry...maybe because I am tired...

God, I am seeking to find you and to lean more into your presence with a sense of trust.  You know my heart and you know how I so very easily get off track.  I cannot do this alone. I cannot walk alone.  Thank you for promising to be near.  Thank you for sending others to walk along side me.  Father, God, bless my efforts.  AMEN.


Once again, Michael Card, Joy in the Journey....

One of the quotes in The Cup of Life that touched me and stretched my thinking actually came from Macrina:

"To bless is to put a bit of yourself into something. It is to make holy, to change something or someone because of your presence."

Michael Card's song...is a blessing for me.  Joyce's book..Macrina's book...are blessings to me. May I seek to be a blessing.

Many Blessings ~ Sandi