05Jul
I have always been particularly inspired with the knowledge that we are created in God’s image. The Creator designed us as full participants in the process of creation. And so for me, writing is where I feel a close connection with God.
how did you discern god's will?
To be honest, this is difficult for me to answer, but I will talk about the work of writing, which has always been a calling for me, and a way for me to process the events in my life. Poetry, memoirs, journaling, all have helped on my journey. When I have faced my greatest challenges, one of the first things I feel called to do is write, part of a larger pull toward creative action. I find great joy in bringing something together, building new things. There is much discernment in this creative process—cultivating quiet spaces for reflection, sifting through strands of thoughts to find meaning, drawing on the guidance of others. I have always been particularly inspired with the knowledge that we are created in God’s image. The Creator designed us as full participants in the process of creation. And so for me, writing is where I feel a close connection with God.
was there a moment or sign when you knew the voice of god was present?
I’m thinking about the time when I faced my greatest loss, the death of my mother fifteen years ago. She died in the Spring, when everything was blooming. In the days around her death I took a lot of walks, and did a lot of writing. When I couldn’t write about the sadness I wrote about the bluebonnets, and the snails that emerged after a rain. These walks and these writings were moments of being pulled out of the chaos of grief. For me this was the voice of God, pulling me together from what seemed formless and empty, bringing light, and gathering the waters. This was also a reminder that all was not lost, just things finding new places in God’s project for the world.
what is your continuing discernment practice?
I often struggle to find a daily practice for discernment, but a few weeks ago when attending St. David’s adult formation lecture with Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston, I had a chance to ask her about her daily practice for writing. She noted that she didn’t have one, but gave me the advice that she was given, which was simply to “obey the muse”. This has stuck with me. Simply honoring the call that is pulling me. It’s both an internal and an external call. I also honor the creativity of everyday work. When writing this reflection I came across a reference to Thomas Hart Benton’s “Cradling Wheat,” a painting that shows a group of field hands working on the hillside. Their hands seem to embrace the sheaves that they are harvesting. To me, this speaks to the joy we find in doing good work, perhaps the same feeling as God holds us.
STORIES OF DISCERNMENT
These Stories of Discernment came out of our 2024 year-long focus on discernment as a parish. Throughout the summer, we will share these stories to inspire our community to continue to explore ways to listen to God’s call in our lives as individuals and as a parish.
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