Happy Pentecost! Today I am remembering the true gift of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to a post by Tamara Hill Murphy on her blog A Sacrament Life https://www.tamarahillmurphy.com/blogthissacramentallife/eastertide/2019/4/18-3?rq=practice%20resurrection , I started down the journey of intentionally practicing resurrection. https://inkblotlife.com/2019/04/22/practicing-resurrection-day-1/
Tamara talked about Eastertide, the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday being a time to really celebrate the Resurrection. I had been intentional about Lent over the last few years, but this idea of Eastertide was new. She had a list of ideas to help get the pump primed. She then challenged people to share their practices at #practiceresurrection2019 with a photo and a short caption. I decided this would be the thing I practiced. I would try to capture a photo of something that reminded me to choose life, or of new life. If possible I would go for a walk to help me be still and listen.
My intent was to slow down and be fully present. Initially the idea seemed like practicing gratitude, but with photo evidence, almost a scavenger hunt for gifts, but as the days went on it became something more. It became intentionally choosing slow, choosing to look even when the darkness seemed overwhelming, choosing to listen even as life was loud. It was choosing life and choosing to look for what God was resurrecting and making new. It was easy to see the darkness and hear the harshness of life. Some days it was easy to see and other days it was a choice to look.
This ended up being a time of continued spiritual reflection after Lent. It was a time to really see where I was allowing the power of the resurrection to fill my life and the areas where I was doubting that such new life was possible. It was a time to see the Holy Spirit refresh me and renew my mind, but also to see where I was not allowing the Spirit to move in my life.
I have always loved the verse about “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you (Rom. 8:11)” and Jesus’ words to the disciples to encourage them and give them hope for when he leaves (John 14:12) that they would do greater things when the Spirit came upon them. When I read these words I want to get hold of them, or better yet, I want them to get hold of me.
This slowing down and practicing resurrection has been way more challenging than I first thought. It apparently was what I needed. Being still in my mind and soul and listening and looking not only helped me to expand the celebration of the resurrection from one Sunday to 50 days, but also to really think about how it impacts daily life. As I enter into Day 50 knowing that I have the Holy Spirit already, I lean in closer to hear and see better and to be transformed to live this beautiful life that God has before me.
Inkblot Life 
Great article! Being still in mind can do wonders to us and open doors we have never seen in our lives before 🙂
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