Removing the Masks

For a big part of my life I have been hiding behind masks. I hide behind masks because I am a people pleaser and I want everyone to love me. I also hide behind masks because I have been deeply hurt by events in my life.

A few years ago I got tired of wearing masks so I decided to start taking them off. I spent time digging underneath the reasons for wearing the masks. This process has not happened overnight but has been a journey of discovery. We often wonder why but we never take the time to journey inside.  I recommend this beautiful pilgrimage of finding your True Self.

Some times I might put a mask back on. But now I am aware when I put it on. I spend time reflecting about why I had the need to hide behind the mask. The wisdom from removing the masks and acknowledging when I put one back on has helped me to grow my relationship with God and with others.

What masks are you wearing? What would it feel like to begin to take them off and discover your True Self?

Sharing My Story

This past year at the University of Indianapolis I had the privilege of reviving a series called "Sharing My Story." Students, faculty and staff shared their stories of God's call in their lives.  Each person that shared their story loved the practice of reflecting over their life and being able to share their story. What a gift it was for them and for all of us who got to hear their story. 

One of the stories was titled "God is Good All The Time." After the faculty member ended his story and asked for questions, one student stated that she wanted a part 2 of his story. She wanted to know how he could say God was good all the time after he had shared the terrible things that had happened to him in life. He explained that it had been a journey that did not happen over night.

As a Spiritual Director it is my job to help others tell their sacred stories by listening and giving tools that can help them discover their sacred stories.  I'm working on a program for this upcoming year that will provide ways of putting together our stories and help to go deeper on the journey.

A timeline is a good place to start. So if you are interested in beginning the process of reflecting over your life, I hope this will give you a place to start.

Comparison of Helping Relationships

Grandma's Faith

This morning I am thinking of my grandma Duke. She woke up every morning, got dressed, made her coffee and sat at the kitchen table reading her Bible. Thank you grandma for your faith and guidance.
“That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”
2 Timothy 1:5-7 MSG

Praying for Those Who Are Running for President

This morning I woke up and decided that today instead of criticizing those running for President of the United States, I would begin praying for them. Today Lord I pray for Hilary Clinton, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Lord use these presidential candidates to further your kingdom. Remove the evil and the greed from their hearts. Open their eyes and ears to see what they are doing to the American people and to the world. Give them strength to stand up to the evil one. Give them wisdom to monitor what comes out of their mouths. Give them knowledge to help us recover from the huge debt and to not take on more debt then we can handle. Help them to see that middle-class America is being destroyed.  Help them to wake up the American people to the fact that they need to work and life is not a free handout. Remind the American people about the sacrifices of the many soldiers who have died defending our freedom.  Give us a reason to respect our government again. Give others a reason to respect America again. Lord may we spend more time acting like Christ in our words and actions. Lord watch over and protect Hilary, Donald and Bernie.  Lord I hope others will join me in praying and asking You to guide all of us. Amen.


"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:28-30