A Chapel A Day- Day 3 (Wait-- Now Why Am I Here?)

I knew exactly which chapel I wanted to explore on Friday... day 3 of my Lenten journey; I'd driven by it several times over the past few years, and each time I felt drawn to the quaint, timeless charm of the historic building.

Standing in front of  St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Milton. FL near sunset, I felt transported back in time. I could vividly imagine the scene of parishioners arriving on a Sunday morning back in 1877, when the church was founded. I thought of all the families who have called this church 'home.' I imagined the baptisms, church picnics, weddings.. and funerals that have taken place here over the past 100+ years. A historic building... alive with  the history of faith, family and fellowship.

I was eager to go inside, but as I realized the church was closed, I felt disappointment set in. My instincts are typically spot-on and I really felt that this was the chapel I was supposed to visit today. 

So... what now?

I spied a white picket fence running along the side of the building. I decided to follow it. It led me here.

Photo: St. Mary's Episcopal Churc

The gate was open, so I walked inside and looked around. I made my way to a bench near the back of the garden and sat down. Still uncertain of why I was here, I decided to just sit, watch, and listen. 

My view was of the back of the church. And, while the Carpenter Gothic architectural style was captivating... and the surroundings peaceful.. I still just wasn't gettin' it. Why was I here?

Don't laugh. I actually closed my eyes, and said out loud,  "Why am I here?"

I waited. Nothing. Zip. Nada.

Then, I opened my eyes, and saw something I hadn't noticed before.

In the middle of this winter-weary garden, which was filled with the bare trees and dry leaves and brittle sticks of the season, a small burst of color was springing up!

And all of a sudden... I got it.

Many of us are winter-weary... not just in the season, but in our minds, bodies and spirits. Some of us feel dry, brittle, even dead. Responsibilities, disappointments, and the "stuff" of life have us eager for the arrival of a new season- the season of spring.

Hold on. It's coming. 

Isaiah 43:19 "See I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and springs in the wasteland!"  

You see, just as the end of winter comes with the arrival of spring- the end of the Lenten season comes with the arrival of Easter. New life, new promises, new hope! It's hard to remember that sometimes--as we are spending our days trudging through  life's winter garden-- especially when all we can see are the bare trees, dry leaves and brittle sticks. But just for today, try to look past the grayness of the season. Look for the spots of color that are springing up! They are there!  

Right where they are supposed to be.

A Chapel A Day- Day 2 (What the Doctor Ordered)

Many years ago, I had the very strong urge to spend a few minutes every day in a quiet time of spiritual reflection. I decided that my church sanctuary was the perfect spiritual getaway. 

Except.

Except that it was locked during the day, due to financial, security, and other practical concerns. It was locked. And, I did not have a key.  A woman in church administration offered an alternative.

"Have you considered a hospital?"

"Ummmm. No. I don't need CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.). I need SPR. (Spiritually Passionate Resuscitation.)"

"Seriously!" she went on. "Hospitals have chapels and they are open 24/7."

 I ain't gonna lie.

I was not a happy Christian. I did not want to drive to some hospital and make my way through that a crowded parking lot and into a medical maze to find myself stuck in a 9x9 room with a neon "CHAPEL" sign on the door. I wanted my familiar sanctuary. Wahhhh!!

I got over it, and tried her suggestion. Turns out, it was one of the best things to ever happen to me. Hospital chapels are some of the most peaceful, inspiring, spiritual places of reflection and worship that I've visited. There's one in just about every town. And, she was right. They are open 24/7.

I've spent time in chapels of Protestant hospitals, Catholic hospitals and secular hospitals. Some are elegant with pews, altars and candlelight.. Others are little more than a closet with a cross and a bench. All are filled with a Spirit that settles and strengthens.

Today, my chapel-a-day visit came at the end of a very long day. It was a good day... but a day that left me drained. This chapel is at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, FL. It was on my way home. It is small, plain.. and exactly what I needed. You see, God doesn't require incense, candlelight and a pipe organ to show up. If we are there.. He is there.

Next time you need a little SPR.. or just a little TLC... consider the hospital chapel. It could be just what the Great Physician ordered.

A Chapel A Day- Day 1 (What Was I Thinking?)

"An hour, Drexel? Really? 60 whole minutes? What were you thinking?"

Those were the words rumbling through my mind tonight on day one of my 40 day journey into Lent. If you read my entry yesterday, you know I have decided to participate in the tradition of Lent by spending one hour a day,every day,  for the 40 days of Lent, in a chapel--- reading, praying, studying, listening. 

One hour. A day. Every day. Really?  What WAS I thinking?

The chapel today was the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church in Pensacola. The hour was spent in the traditional Ash Wednesday service, where I read, prayed, studied... and listened. But not before having a contentious conversation with myself (silently and in my mind) about this whole 'hour' thing.

I began by making a mental list of all the important chores, activities, meetings, work assignments, fun times with friends,  etc. that could easily fill up that hour. Add up that hour from each day for 40 whole days, and I would lose 40 hours of time over the next 6 weeks! 40 hours! "Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do," I thought.  I snatched up my bulletin and began to crankily scan the music, scriptures and sermon topic for the service. 

Funny how God has a way of getting right to the point. The first hymn contained these words:

"We are... proud, impatient, loving over-much our things..." Oh..wait. You mean "things" like---chores, activities, meetings, work assignments, fun times with friends, etc?  I kinda' squirmed. 

Oh, it gets better.

The first scripture reading was from the Old Testament book of Joel... Chapter 2 verse 12: "Return to Me with ALL your heart." (capitalization mine.) ALL my heart. Even... perhaps especially... that daily hour's worth of my heart? I squirmed a little bit more.

The second scripture reading was Psalm 51. Verse 10 jumped, no LEAPED, out at me : "Renew a steadfast spirit within me." Steadfast. Steadfast. Now, what exactly does that mean? Oh, right- - "firm in purpose, resolution and faith." Purpose. Resolution. Faith. The words "easy" and "convenient" are NOT included in the definition.

And finally, from the sermon, taken from Matthew 6: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I stopped breathing for a few seconds, but my heart thudded loudly in my chest. 

My treasure. My treasure. My treasure. Where, and what,  was my treasure? At this moment, it appeared my treasure was my time. Did you catch that? MY time... not His. And, it was linked to MY endeavors. Not His. Hello. Message received and understood.

By this time I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this sanctuary was exactly the 'chapel' I was supposed to be in today. I knew that I was supposed to hear, and to sing, the words that I'd heard and sung in this service. And, I knew that this out-of-kilter placement of priorities is exactly the reason that I have been moved to spend an hour a day in reflective solitude----shutting out the world, the chores, the meetings, the work, the activities and the friends.

So, I'm ready for tomorrow's quiet time. All 60 minutes of it. I do not know where my "Chapel-A-Day" journey will lead me, or what it will teach me. But, I'll be ready. 

Cross my heart.

A Chapel A Day--My 40 Day Journey Into Lent

  At midnight, one of the most important seasons of the year for me will begin. It is the season of Lent. Interestingly enough, I did not grow up in a denomination that observes the tradition of Lent. But, when I was in my forties I became curious about why certain faiths practice this time of sacrifice, fasting and penitence. My research led me to the clear conclusion that these few weeks may potentially lead a person into a deeper walk of faith, a healthier lifestyle (physically and spiritually) and stronger relationships with both God and man. I wanted all of those, and so I began searching for a meaningful way to experience the Lenten season.

      "Giving up" sweets, caffeine and fast food for the sake of giving something up rang hollow. I studied, thought and prayed and decided that for me, Lent is less about giving UP, than it is about giving TO... by doing something positive to move closer to God and to a more faithful way of living out each day. While I may indeed decide to give up something for Lent, the space that is left by sacrificing something material is then filled with something spiritual. One year, I fasted an hour of sleep each day, and got up early for a time of spiritual quiet time. That 40 day 'fast' led to an early morning habit that continues to this day.

     This year, I have decided to spend one hour of every weekday during Lent sitting quietly in a chapel. I may read, I may pray, I may study, I may listen. But, I am going to seek out a Chapel-A-Day and "be still and know."

     My goal is to visit a different chapel each day. It may be the chapel of a local church... or hospital. It may be the small sanctuary of a country church, or the chancel of a grand cathedral. I hope to share with you what I learn about these houses of worship. I hope I learn something about myself, my God and my faith that is worth passing along, as well. I hope you will read the Chapel-A-Day blog entries, and share them with your friends. 

    If you are looking for a way to make the Lenten season a meaningful time in your life,  here are a few suggestions, based on an entry from a few years back in the devotional Upper Room.  I regret that I can't find the author's name. 

·         Electronic Fast. Replace TV shows, Facebook, Twitter, etc. with prayer and/or devotional study.

·         Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them.

·         Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes, or drive to and from work. (You don't have to know them. You just have to see them and pray for them.

·         Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it

·         Read one chapter in the Bible each day.

·         Give up soft drinks or fast food and give the money you save to someone in crisis.

·         Create a daily quiet time. Spend thirty minutes a day in prayer.

·         Cultivate a life of gratitude. Start by writing at least one person a thank you note  each week.

·         Be kind to someone each day.

·         Volunteer 1 hour, or more, a week.

I'm turning in early. I have an appointment with a chapel tomorrow... and I am going to need an early start.

Time's A Wastin'

The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity to begin the weeding process. I'm not talking about weeding the garden. That will come soon enough! January is the perfect time to begin weeding out the things, habits, thoughts and even people that gobble up our minutes, hours and days.. leaving us to wonder... "Where did the time go?"

What, or who, steals your time? Better question, to what or whom do you willingly give up your time? Here are a few time-wasters you can hit with the weed-eater:

Gossip. My favorite quote, attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: "Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about places and things. Little people talk about other people." And... gossip wastes a lot of time. Talk about what's important in life. Your faith. Your family. Your goals. Literature. Art. Science. The future. Just DON'T waste time talking about other people.

Jealousy. Coveting something, or someone, that someone else has... eats up your time...and eats away at your spirit. This is time that is better spent working on ways to find your own something, or your own someone, who makes you happy.

Unpleasant people. They are out there. We all know them. We can't avoid them. But we can control our reactions to them. Refuse to take their bait. Walk away. Be so nice that THEY walk away. Just don't let them dirty up your mind and your day and rob you of your time.

The Internet! Don't get me wrong. It's a wonderful thing. But, you need to use the internet. Don't let the internet use you. Do the important things first... then surf the net. P.S. Reading my blog is NOT a waste of time! :)

Television. See the above reference to the internet. It holds true here. Hey... I've watched The Young and The Restless since I was a teenager. I just don't watch it every day.  Limit your TV watching. And for goodness sake, when a friend or family member is in the room... TURN OFF THE TV. Talking to them is much more important than watching Aunt Bee make yucky pickles for the 978th time on a re-run of The Andy Griffith Show.

These are just five ways to reduce the wasting of time. I wrote them to get you started thinking about what, or who, pilfers your time each day. Take control of the time-clock of your life. Remember... time's a wastin'.

Time Stood Still

As we launch into a brand new year, this month's blog theme is "Time."

Time something you think more about as you get older. It is something we should think more about when we are younger. We all know that "Time marches on." But sometimes, in the most precious, or scary, or breathtaking moments.... 

Time. Stands. Still. 

In my life, Time stood still when...

A boy held my hand for the very first time. (His name was Duane. We were 6.)

My grandmother said, "Drexel, WHAT was that noise?" (Trust me. You don't want to know.)

I rode my bicycle without training wheels.

I won the school spelling bee. (No, I don't remember the word.)

I had my first kiss!

I got my first pair of glasses. And, I could SEE!

I spun the bottle.. and it landed on "HIM!"

I heard the words, at the very social age of 13, "We're  moving. To Florida." (from Texas. That's a long way.)

I had my first car wreck.

He shook my hand and said, "Hi. I'm Jimmy Buffett." (And, he was.)

I picked up the phone and heard, "Your grandmother died today."

The doctor said, "We need to do a biopsy."

The doctor said, "It's benign."

I heard, "It's a girl!" 

I was told, "We need an amniocentesis. There may be a problem."

I was told, "Results are in. No problem!

I heard,"It's a girl!" (2nd time!)

I picked up the phone and heard, "Drexel. Don't panic. Avery's been hurt. Meet us at the emergency room. Don't panic." (I panicked.)

I came home and found a note on the counter that read: "Don't panic. Lauren's been bitten by the dog. Meet us at the e.r. Don't panic." (I panicked..)

I heard, "Hello. I'm Laura Bush." (She was.)

I heard, "You're hired!"

I heard, "You're fired."

A friend said, "It's going to be okay."

Time marches on. 

But it also stands still. In moments, situations, and circumstances that we never forget.

When has time stood still for you? I'd love to hear your stories.

2013: It's Time

“If I could save time in a bottle

The first thing that I’d like to do

Is to save every day ‘til Eternity passes away

Just to spend them with you.”*

I first heard those words, from the song “Time In A Bottle” by the late Jim Croce, when I was just a teenager. You know. When Time seems to GO ON FOREVER.

Whether I was waiting for my birthday; waiting for summer vacation; waiting for Christmas; or waiting for my mom to “Please. Get. Off. The. Phone.”… so that cute guy from school could call, I was constantly trying to rush the clock- force the calendar- move the day.

Time was this surplus of space that just got in the way of what I wanted to do.

Now, I get it. Time is not the enemy. Time is our friend. Time is the friend that provides us with the necessary pauses in our otherwise full-tilt lifestyle that robs us of… well, robs us of Time. I understand at 54 what I wish I’d understood at 34.. or even 24. 

Time does not GO ON FOREVER.  Instead of hurrying the hours, we should savor them, embrace them…. and live them fully, completely and passionately.

Today marks the beginning of a new Time. 

It’s the very first day of the year 2013. You've probably already bought your new calendar or planner. You've probably already begun to fill in the blank spaces with important appointments, tasks and duties. You may be shaking your head as you do this, saying to yourself, “I just don’t have ENOUGH time!”

Jim Croce wrote and sang about that too, in these words from “Time In A Bottle”:

 “But, there never seems to be enough time

To do the things you want to do

Once you find them.”*

H. Jackson Brown, author of “Life’s Little Instruction Book” might disagree.   I recently read this quote by Brown:  

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo,. Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.”

The question is… what are you going to DO with that Time?

This year, my challenge to you is this: strive to not only become better at scheduling your Time. Become better at the way you are spending your Time.

Don’t save Time in a bottle. Pour it out. Drink it up.  Don’t rush the minutes and the hours of your Time. Don’t curse the passing of Time. Don’t take for granted the gift of your Time.

Photo © 2013
Drexel Gilbert Enterprises, Inc.

Instead, take Time.

Take Time to:

• take a breath
• grab someone’s hand
• go for a walk
• watch a sunrise
• cultivate a friendship
• learn a new language
• take up a hobby
• volunteer at a shelter
• rock a baby
• visit a shut-in
• laugh
• love
• live

It’s Time.

Postscript: Jim Croce never knew that his song “Time In A Bottle” became a hit. He died in a plane crash eight days after the song was featured in a made-for-TV movie, which sent it all skyrocketing the way to number one on the charts.. way back in 1973.  Although it sounds like a song that would have been written to or about a lover, Croce actually wrote “Time In A Bottle” for his unborn child, shortly after his wife told him she was pregnant. If you've never heard the song, take the TIME to listen to it here: Time In A Bottle-Jim Croce

If you have heard it…. Listen to it again. It will be Time well spent

*Copyright 1972 R2M Music