It’s no secret that Leif and I have struggled over the years to connect spiritually through our personal times of devotion. In the early days of our marriage, we tried a laundry list of things that simply didn’t work. We began reading Oswald Chambers together on January 1 one year. By January 18, we couldn’t even find the book. We attempted reading the same passages of scripture for discussion, but also felt a sense of awkward disconnect. We tried reading the same books, listening to the same sermons among other practices and yet it always felt forced, unnatural, anything but, well, organic. Those images of spiritual marital bliss faded into the reality that growing spiritually together as a couple takes time, perseverance and hard work.
Over the last few years, we’ve found something that works. (And when you find something that works when it comes to spiritual disciplines, do it and keep on doing it!) We sit on the couch beside each other in the morning and read whatever we’re reading. I’m currently enjoying Bruce K. Waltke’s commentary on Genesis; Leif is making his way through The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan. As we read, we sometimes hmmm or oooh-ahhhh aloud, signifying we’ve found something special, then we share what we’re reading and our responses. It’s natural. Non-forced. The practice works for us. When we’re done, we each read a prayer aloud from Walter Brueggemann‘s Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth (a book given to us by our special friend Troy Champ). Then we spend time in prayer–for our families, our leaders, our friend, our world, and yes, you!–together aloud.
Brueggemann has a gift to bring hidden thoughts of the soul to light before God. Over the course of the fall, I wanted to share Walter Brueggemann with you every Wednesday. We invite you to join us for “Wednesdays With Walter” as you dive deeper in your own relation with God and prayer life:
God before and God behind,God for us and God for your own self,Maker of heaven and earth,———creator of sea and sky,———governor of day and night.We give thanks for your ordered gift of life to us,———for the rhythms that reassure,———for the equilibriums that sustain,———for the reliabilities that curb our anxieties.We treasure from you,———days to work and nights to rest.We cherish from you,———days to control and nights to yield.We savor from you,———days to plan and nights to dream.Be our day and our night,———our heaven and our earth,———our sea and our sky,and in the end our true home. Amen.
Pick up a copy of Walter Brueggemann’s Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, from Amazon, here.
I have a couple of his prayer books – I love reading them!!
I am reading your book “the Sacred echo”. Only on the third chapter and it is wonderful. Your writing style is so clear, so easy to read, and right to the point. I love how in telling your story, you are really giving us the process of connecting to God. You have offered us here, something incredibly deep and rich, in a light, enjoyable read. I want to buy lots and hand them out. Did I tell you I am only on chapter three???!!! 🙂 Echos – I am hearing and seeing them everywhere!!! The freedom that comes from God – not the freedom that allows us to do what ever we want because we are forgiven. But the freedom of know how much we are loved – the freedom from working to please God – the freedom to love God and others – the freedom to screw up and take it to God – the freedom to remove my masks and say, “yes I struggle” but God is ever working in me – to change me from the inside out – to change my heart so I serve him from a place of grateful abundant love!!!!
Now I am off to purchase “The Organic God” I already have your newest!!! 🙂
Blessings Margaret!
Mary