Bewildered
Ah. So here is one of the reasons that our community of faith provides sabbatical leaves, that "sanctuary in time" of which Merton speaks. It's because that extra space provides for ponderings from an unusual variety of sources to spin around in the spots usually filled with day-to-day requirements, and sometimes serendipity occurs!
For example. Sitting in the bleachers at the baseball game, reading a BACKPACKER magazine article entitled, "What Does It Really Mean to Be Utterly, Hopelessly, Truly Lost?" (and I don't aim to find out), adventure writer Jim Thornton makes this connection. "Getting lost in the wilderness isn't a metaphor; it's the root meaning of bewilderment." Well, shoot! I never, ever thought of that before. Being in the WILDERNESS, where landmarks are scarce and resources may be bashful, we become BEWILDERED. That means something.
And here's where the fun begins. Later that same day, reading one of Rumi's extravagant love poems, this line is florescent: "Stay bewildered in God, and only that." I wouldn't attempt to offer an interpretation; the connections are still spinning for me.
But I will offer this. The root of both "wilderness" and "bewildered" is WILD. Exactly what we are encouraging our souls to be, for the Source of Wonder, during this sanctuary in time. Here's a confession: I terribly miss worshipping with you. This Sunday, as you gather and sing, "Be wild, O my soul, for the Source of Wonder; let all that I am praise the Name; be wild O my soul, for the Source of Wonder; let me not forget all your care," know that I am singing with you, 'neath a loaded backpack, somewhere in the wilderness.
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Calendar of Events
Choir Practice February 8, 2012
Sweet & Sour Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, & Roasted Vegetables by Carrie Rohde February 8, 2012
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News
- Room In The Inn Posted on January 16, 2012
- Opportunities to Gather with Niubes Posted on December 16, 2011
- Niubes is Here! Posted on December 8, 2011
- Advent 2011 Posted on November 21, 2011
- Cooking for a Crowd Posted on November 16, 2011
Comments (Post a comment)
Today Jackson and Walden were playing ping pong in the front yard and I expected to see yours sitting around watching the show. Jackson was being ever so kind but Walden does have a bit of catch up to do to match his skills. :-)
My boys hope to earn a ping pong table of their own by selling eggs this summer. Summer feels like a wilderness to me--or a game of ping pong--not sure which at what time but I am going with it...
I'm going to take a walk today during lunch on the path near the woods and see if I can get a little bit bewildered!
Love and Hugs!