In June, I learned of the death of a friend and mentor, the Rev. Nicolette Papanek. Nicolette taught me much about how to appreciate God and God’s creation. She was a quilter, both with fabrics and words. She had a gift for weaving disparate patches of cloth and ideas into a unified vision that brought forth art and light.
The last time I saw Nicolette, she gave me a book Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time by Dorothy C. Bass. After learning of Nicolette’s death, I decided that book would serve as the guide for my time on sabbatical this summer. I’ll lead a discussion on it during the Wednesday evenings of Advent. It’s a book about discovering ways to bring the spirit of Sabbath into our frantic lives by learning to receive each day as a gift.
Over the summer, ‘receive the day’ became my mantra. During our travels, it helped me let go of worry over travel logistics and simply try to relish each moment of encountering new people and landscapes in different surroundings. The book invited me to see time as something to savor rather than rush through to get to the next thing. Dorothy Bass tells the story of a mother who greeted her children when they got home not with ‘How was your day?’ but with ‘Where did you meet God today?’
She also writes, ‘The important thing is to discover in the freedom of this day a place to allow our love of the earth to be rekindled: to notice its beauty, to enjoy its colors, shapes, and smells, and to experience how our bodies move among its waters, rocks, and breezes.’ My friend Nicolette knew how to do this well and taught me and others this different way of living. A mutual friend shared a prayer that Nicolette wrote while on retreat at a mountain cabin in Colorado:
‘Almighty God, maker of mountain, pine, and rock; Breath-Giver to deer, bird, and human, open our hearts to every sentient creature, stone, sand, tree, leaf, and needle. Prepare us for your still small voice heard in the land you have hallowed. Increase our love for the mystery of your creation, that we may honor your glory in all that surrounds us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
Beautiful!
Thanks, Helen. Glad this reflection spoke to you.
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Traveling through France now I’m meeting interesting people as well as relatives . I receive the affection of cousins with gratitude . Never ceased to be awed by the beauty of Nature and my surroundings . Grateful for eyes that see ears that hear .Visiting magnificent churches built centuries ago and still standing , I always light a simple candle , meditate and pray for our sisters and brothers .
Praying for peace in Palestine .
Michele, glad you’re having a wonderful spiritual journey in France. I look forward to hearing all about it when you return.
Love and Blessings,
Paul
What a lovely lesson! Her prayer makes me think of verses 2-4 of Psalm19, which reflect the murmurings of the Creator.
Thanks, Candace. I agree about Psalm 19 and love the idea of seeing and feeling ‘the murmurings of the Creator.’
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Thanks, Candace. I agree about Psalm 19 and love the idea of seeing and feeling ‘the murmurings of the Creator.’
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Beautiful! We all need a Nicolette in our lives.
Bill,
Amen, Brother!
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Thank you Paul. I love hearing about your focus while you were away. Very refreshing…… just what I needed in the midst of the world at this time.
Zada,
Glad this spoke to you in a difficult time in our world.
You and Nicolette have a lot in common!
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Paul, I think this is some of what I experienced walking El Camino last month. Sounds like a wonderful topic for discussion. Maybe I can get myself downtown at leas a few Wednesdays during Advent. Thanks for all you do.
You’re welcome, Nancy. Glad you had a similar experience on the Camino in ‘receiving the day’ and appreciating God’s creation. Hope you can join us to discuss this further on the Wednesday evenings in Advent.
Love and Blessings,
Paul