Something More: Seeking the More of God

“Always we begin again” – St. Benedict

Throughout 2024, these words of St. Benedict have surfaced over and over.  From conversations with my spiritual director to lectures by the faculty of the Academy of Spiritual Formation to books that I’ve been reading, St. Benedict’s words have been a welcome reminder that always we begin again. 

A new calendar year gives us that opportunity to begin again with resolutions, focus words, commitments, setting of intention – whatever you want to call it.  It’s a new start! 

I spent time this week reading back through my 2024 journals.  Before I think about 2025, what stood out to me from 2024?  What words, phrases, prayers, or struggles filled the pages of my journals? 

                  Prayers for wisdom, courage, understanding

                  Places to release

                  Lord, where are You calling?

                  Where are You pointing, Lord?

                  Holy imagination

                  Greatest joy

                  Stay in the moment

                  Observe, not absorb

                  Loosen my grip

                  Strengths to work for me, not against me

                  Overload

                  Waiting, waiting, waiting

                  Permission to explore without product or outcome in mind

                  Wander and wonder

                  Slow down

                  Live with meaning

                  “Leave to your God to order and provide”

Sometimes my handwriting reflected my scattered mind and thoughts.  Sometimes I could tell it was a day that I was not feeling well.  Just like you might hear it in my audible voice, you could see it in my written voice. 

So now for 2025 – “Always we begin again”

In the past two years, the Academy of Spiritual Formation has been my hub for spiritual formation – books to read, engagement in covenant group, lectures from tremendous faculty, silence, worship, communion.  Now it’s over and I have open space.  It would be very easy for me to fill that space with more things to do!  I could make a plan and before I know it, that space would be no more!  Then I look back at the phrases from 2024 and I know that MY plans have been known to get me off center. 

So, Lord, where are you leading in 2025?  What’s YOUR plan? 

In my spirit, I hear “open hands, hold loosely, see what I have for You”.  Remember, Trish, when you hold onto things, people, circumstances too tightly, you don’t allow God to do anything.  When your hands are closed, Trish, you are not open to receive what God might have for you. 

In 2025, Lord, open my hands.  Remind me to hold loosely whoever, whatever you might place in my hands. 

Remind me, O Lord, that “always we begin again”.