Soul Kindness
July Glory—photo by Susan Izard
Dear Soul Friends,
It’s a quiet morning here. A great plume of smoke from a Canadian wildfire has blanketed the Northeast in gray haze. The birds seem subdued by the heavy, thick air and are hiding in the tree branches rather than flitting about in the wetland grasses searching for food and conversation. Yesterday I was busy cutting and arranging Shasta daisies, filling my house with summer glory. But today my soul is inviting me to quiet contemplation and prayer. It’s a day to be still and listen.
The other day I came across a quote that is attributed to C. S. Lewis, but it was actually written by William Nicholson for the biographical film Shadowlands. Anthony Hopkins, who plays C. S. Lewis, says, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time—waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God—it changes me.”
So often we’re taught that if we pray, we influence God to act on our behalf. Sometimes our prayer is answered, but often it isn’t, and that can feel lonely and frustrating. But there is another way of praying, the way of listening to the wisdom and truth of our soul’s voice. In my tradition, soul is the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who guides us along life’s journey. When we pray with the understanding that we are listening for The Holy’s yearning and desire, we let go of our own lists and requests. Instead, we listen for an invitation to know a larger truth of loving kindness and compassion for all beings.
A few years ago, I flew across the country to visit our new grandson after I had finished a writing workshop. The intensity of the workshop had exhausted me, and I found myself rushing to the plane anxious about boarding late. But as I entered the plane, my rushing stopped. In front of me, a flight attendant was walking backwards down the aisle, carefully leading a woman who was physically compromised. It took an enormous effort for the woman to walk as each step made her entire body jerk and twist. As the woman and flight attendant began working their way through business class, the flight attendant said, “We need to get to row twenty.” As soon as she said it, a tall, strong man in the aisle seat of the second row jumped up and told her, “She can have my seat.” The shocked flight attendant said, “But sir, it’s a middle seat in row twenty.” Grabbing his briefcase, the man responded, “I love the middle seat in row twenty,” and moved to the back of the plane. Once the flight attendant settled the woman in the man’s seat and there was room for me to get to my seat, I noticed the woman’s lip was bleeding, and her seat mate was tending to her. For a moment, the whole plane felt encircled in the power of loving kindness.
As you journey through your week, may you be encircled and surrounded by Loving Compassion. May you find ways to encircle others and may you be open to receive the glory of all that is.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
