Meditating to Heal

Now is the time as good children we are living in the arms of our loving God and allowing our loving God to live in us and share Her healing touch with all those we meet. However, what we do with this time falls at our own human feet, and most times we fail at the opportunities to prove worthy to be called sons and daughters of God. If we are truly people of compassion, unity, and understanding as we avow to be on Sunday mornings, or Saturdays, or whatever holy days we celebrate each week. Or should I say weak since our avowals of faith seem to evaporate as soon as we leave the doors of our cathedrals of faith.

People traveled the world, spending millions of dollars, waiting in line with other tourists to visit the grave sites of Saints and prophets. They travel to villages that are advertised as thin places so that they can pray to be closer to God. How foolish us backward humans can be. Even in the Bible, one of the stories told about Mary when she finds out that she is pregnant with Jesus. She’s cramped up in the dirty, filthy alleyway. And she prays to God, and there’s this beautiful Magnificat that she somehow produces. Is she not close to God in this dirty, filthy alley? Is that not a thin place? Can your backyard not be a thin place? When you need to speak with God? Can your dust-ridden, cobwebbed attic be a thin place when you need to speak with God?

Let me tell you a secret, folks. We are human beings. And to be a human being means that we are unfinished. We are not gods. We are only made in the image and likeness of a God. We need to talk to God. To be complete. And that is why we pray. When we pray, we don’t talk. When we pray, we shut up. And listen. And trust!

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.
If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

I came to the conclusion this morning that after 83 years of life-long learning, I know absolutely nothing. Since my ninth birthday, I have sold newspapers, mowed lawns, shoveled snow, washed dealer-showroom cars, and driven a truck delivering clean suits and dresses—all this before graduating from high school. After the Marine Corps, I was a photo retailer for over 20 years while also being a part-time high school swim team coach. I ended my college and teaching career as a college professor of literature, knowing less than I knew as a nine-year-old seventy-four years ago. To whit; it has taken me over an hour to write this small bit so far.

I’m writing this little bit of nonsense because, as a retired professor of literature, my secondary pleasure in life is reading (what, you ask, is my first pleasure? My wife of 59 years, of course), which is why I am a member of five different book groups, each of which I enjoy tremendously and allow others to dominate—not this crusty old professor!

Right now, I am reading a well-worn, dog-eared book written in 2023 by Ariel Lawhon, titled The Frozen River. It is a very well-written book with good characters and a solid plot, even though I am only 50 pages into it. I mention this because my reading has slowed lately due to my much more rapidly failing eyesight.

My Miscellaneous Musings of a Mixed-up Mind wonder why printers have to keep making the print in books smaller every year I get older.

---

Russell Kendall Carter, BA, MAT, D.Litt.
If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

Life itself evolves in beauty;
we are merely one peddle 
on God’s rose of humanity.

Without this, we would cease to exist;
this Love is at work is us in the present
as God speaks to us; teaching us to listen.

His lessons are eternally ours to learn
and spread to the world He creates,
teaching His creation and cosmos 
 
To Love all Mankind!

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.
If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

I think! (Therefor I am?)

What a profound statement. Looking back on my life, I always remember that I never liked to talk while walking. Even if I were walking with my heart’s chosen, I would always stop to share thoughts; I could rarely  speak while moving. I could think; I could form poetic lines; but speaking was a problem. Maybe that is why walking through the woods as a young man was so enjoyable for me.

I’ve usually got a  lot to say; after all. . .  I’ve been walking all this way in silence.

Another aspect about my walking in silence is people. Many people don’t understand you. Some don’t trust you; some fear you. If you practice silence toward others and greet them with a good morning, showing love, leaving it just like that, you will allow people the chance to react to your presence and not overwhelm them. You greeting of love surprises them, usually gives a like response, and all is well.

My gift of silence comes from God; my loud booming educator’s voice may contradict this, but it all comes together in the end. Silence; Thinking; Love: God!

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

In my daily studies of ancient Christianity  I keep rediscovering wonderful phrases that my memories have returned to harmony in my mind so that I can show and share my superlative but extremely  limited wisdom; “Marana tha” is one of these  lost and newly re-discovered statements. Loosely translated  it means our lord cometh, or better put, God comes. As in our Lord comes into our lives, always, every day, and draws us into eternity; His wonderfully eternal web of Love and Life.

We learn to be welcoming and patient with all people, yes, even our cranky old toothless 92-year-old maiden aunt whom you could never please. After all, Jesus showed us all extreme patience with all He met, we can do no less. He also promised to be with us through all time, which means He is looking over our shoulders and spying on us, keeping score.

All foolishness aside, we are blessed every day of our life to walk in His light. We are born in His image and likeness and guided each day with His Love and kindness if we choose to accept it. The problem is, many times we either overlook this or outright reject His likeness. We know that God Loves us; we know God loves all mankind. When we remember this when meeting people, we see God in their eyes and faces, and all is suddenly well. And our Lord comes. Marana tha!

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

I talk with you every day,

but I don’t hear you.

I cry on your shoulder at my loss;

you never turn from my tears.

How fortunate we are

to have such a friend

who is always with us to help

but never nags over our shoulders.

Or does she?

In the trust we have You,

there is this thing called conscience

which keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Ohh, it’s making me want to do good.

Always asking me to do good.

Always.

Begging in my heart.

To look at those.

Needier than I am.

To lift them up.

And give them sustenance.

And caring.. . .

 Which is why she sent me to college

again

and again

and again.

And produced an educator.

 And although I no longer teach.

In the classroom at least.

I still teach. And learn

from others.

And teach and learn from others.

And the cycle goes on.

And my prayer is answered.

I trust in you, God.

You will do with me what you will.

 And I should let it be.

Thank you

For praying with me.

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99