RECALCITRANT
Definition:
1: obstinately defiant of authority

A haiku:

Is this how justice
is won or lost - which side is
seen as defiant?

Shekinah (Hebrew)
A visible manifestation of the divine presence as described in Jewish theology.
(From Thefreedictionary.com)

     This word has popped up a lot in my reading this week, in two very different places. First it is in Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton, one of the books I am reading for my Season of Planning. It rang a bell because one of our Lutheran churches in Chicago is called Shekinah Chapel. It is one of the those words that every time I had heard it I knew it meant something but I just didn't know what.

     Then a few days later I was cleaning and I came across some prayers written by leaders from another church. I had saved the prayers so I could pray for these leaders and their ministry during Lent. As I looked through the prayers one more time, the word Shekinah jumped out at me.

     Ok, God, I am paying attention. Your presence is surrounding me. Got it.
Question: Now what will I do with that?
My answer: I don't know.
My reaction: I prayed a prayer of gratitude for all the people who have shown me God’s presence in my life. It usually comes at those times when I either don’t expect it or I can’t see it on my own. My family, friends and colleagues become the visible manifestation of God's presence! And because of my work, God’s presence is also shown to me through the children at our church. As the picture shows, our children feel strongly that they are close to Jesus just as their little figures are standing with the Good Shepherd. They remind me, in their purest form of faith, I can trust God’s promise that I am not alone or forgotten.

     I wonder how else God’s presence will be made known to me. (I know. Be careful what you ask!!)

~ Pam

"I use the summertime as my season of planning."

    When I heard those words, they rang true to me and helped me see the months of July and August through a different lens.
They were said by Shawn Williams, the campus pastor from Christian Community Church in Naperville, also known as the Yellow Box Church. He was speaking to a small group of leaders from my own denomination about training leaders from within and the impact that can have on congregations. He mentioned how he prioritizes this time in the summer and calls it a Season of Planning. He takes time to read the leadership books and have the meetings with people that he tends to put off during the year because of a full schedule.

    Something clicked for me as he said that. I have tried to use the different rhythm of my summer work schedule to do those types of things too but I have not prioritized them in that way. If I got to some of those extra books on my shelf, that was great. If I could fit in meetings with other leaders, then that was a bonus. Now I look at this time differently. In my head I have known it is important to have time for planning, rest and renewal to "fill my well", but how I lived that was definitely hit or miss. This summer will be different. I am adopting a Season of Planning. I have lined up some books that will be helpful for me to read. There are important conversations I need to have with people in and outside my own congregation. Adopting a different prayer practice will be crucial to creating a new rhythm. Included in this time will also be continuing education: Praying with Imagination:  Igniting an Artful Response at St. John's School of Theology-Seminary in Minnesota.

Here is my bibliography for the season of planning:
    ~ Writing to God - 40 Days of Praying with my Pen by Rachel G Hackenberg
    ~ Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton (This was a gift from Heidi, one of the pastors at my church.)
    ~ Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey by Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May (A book that has been sitting on my shelf for too long.)
    ~ Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau (My friend, David, told me one of the best ways to nurture your own creativity is to read great writing. I will read this while I am surrounded by the natural beauty in Minnesota.)
    ~ Crucial Conversations - Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Patterson, Grenny, McMillian, and Switzler (This was suggested to me by my friend Diane who has used this in her role of school administrator in St. Charles, Illinois.)

    I look forward to this experiment of changing my work rhythm for two months and where it leads my professional and personal growth. Hopefully I will be able to retain some of these practices to keep me going the rest of the year too!

~ Pam

    Origin of Joie de vivre
French, literally, joy of living
First Known Use: 1889
(From on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

    I read this French saying just yesterday in the Agatha Christie thriller, They Came to Baghdad.  (Originally published in 1952)
Christie was describing her main character.  This young woman was willing to drop everything to go on an
adventure and follow a handsome young man she just met from London to Baghdad. 

    I don't think anyone would use that phrase to describe me. I love life and I find joy in living but....  I can be a bit cautious. Yes, you will find me dancing in my chair (or my car) to music that moves me. Yes, I do my "happy dance" when things go my way. And yes, many an officemate has heard me cheer for myself when I am feeling particularly proud of my work. But....I am not impulsive in a joy-filled way.

    I notice joie de vivre more in children than I do in adults. They are more willing to not censor themselves in
situations as adults would do. They let their joy take over and experience the moment fully. They see the  possibilities in life's joyful moments, not the pitfalls.

So I ask you:
    ~ Do you have moments of joie de vivre in your life?
    ~ Do you have a certain relationship where you can be vulnerable and fully experience the joy of life?
    ~ What music makes you dance in your car?
    ~ How can you let go and be more child-like just once each day?

    I am going to try and embrace those moments. I am going to give myself permission to be fully present in the joie de vivre of my life. And if you are driving next to me...give me a nod and smile...and then turn your radio up and dance!
(The picture is of my daughter, Katie, dancing in the car! Like mother, like daughter!)

~ Pam