I had a meeting yesterday morning. It was supposed to be one of those 30 minute meetings to go over and finish up the details from a previous meeting. It turned into something very different.
Last summer I agreed to participate in a PhD study on lectio divina -- in short the practice of reading and meditating on scripture. This is something I've been interested in for some time. I've gone to a few workshops and retreats. I liked the idea that my practice might benefit someone else -- I'm altruistic that way.
Yesterday I met with the PhD candidate (MC) to go over my journaling from the experience and to give him the opportunity to ask me some follow up questions. I felt that I had let him down by not doing as well with the practice as I had hoped, thus providing less data for his research.
MC asked me an open ended question when I got there -- What hindered me from going further with the lectio divina? I knew the short answer, but I wasn't prepared to go that route. The longer, more accurate answer was going to open up a lot of my past and require me to verbalize a lot of what the abuse did to my relationship with God. I asked him if he was prepared for a winding, long winded answer, and he was.
That began a nearly 2 hour conversation about God, our representation of Him, insular societies, secret keeping, understanding how my past colors my perceptions, and how Christians show the true character of God to others.
I didn't say anything I didn't already know about myself and my history, but I did experience that strange epiphany that comes with verbalizing thoughts. There is a clarity that comes from saying or writing out thoughts in complete sentences and paragraphs that doesn't come from random thoughts and ruminations. MC said it himself to me, "Your journal was in phrases, and you're not a phrase kind of person." It's true. I write and talk in paragraphs, but when I looked back at what I'd shared with him, it was all phrases and incomplete thoughts. I had edited myself out of fear that he would not understand, agree with, or validate my complete feelings. And it's scary to think some things through to their ultimate conclusions.
What does this have to do with the prompt -- shattered? I believe I shattered a stronghold or a wall yesterday. I completed a lot of sentences about my true feelings and beliefs about myself and God and how the abuse impacted (impacts) my daily life and inner conversations.
There's a lot more demolishing to do.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. -- 2 Cor. 10:4 (NIV)
linking up with Writer's Workshop
Wow. This is so powerful. What a great way to illustrate your breakthrough. I'm so glad I read this today. I love the idea of verbalizing vs. phrasing our feelings and experiences. Wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteGood for you that strongholds were shattered! I believe meditation on scripture is key to bringing down strongholds.
ReplyDeleteKeep shattering those walls that are holding you back from healing and becoming! I, like you, can internalize things much better when I write it all down.. honestly and completely. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! It is important to keep shattering those walls. But I know that some days that is easier said than done. Sounds like this conversation was healing for you.
ReplyDeleteBeing brave and sharing your story is shattering the walls and lies that hold you tight. Keep being brave and moving forward. Thanks for your openness in sharing to your friend and here.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard sometimes to be real with ourselves and others about the things in our past (or present) that are messy and hard. I love that you're a person who speaks and writes in paragraphs. I am too! :) Keep shattering those walls! You are a rock star!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love lectio divina! It is, as I'm sure you know, Catholic in its origin, but it's a wonderful practice for all Christians to meditate on scripture. The practice actually began in the Benedictine monastic tradition. The monks and nuns of that particular order have a motto "ora et labora" which means "pray and work" and it underpins everything they do. They take the prayers that they pray throughout the day (which includes a lot of scripture) with them through the day as they do the work they are assigned to do in their communities and the outside world. Lectio divina developed out of that habit. I had never heard of it before I started thinking about becoming Catholic, but it has become something I really enjoy. I need to get back to it. Good grief, look at my long P.S.! See what I mean about paragraphs! LOL!
Excellent! You won a battle in the ongoing war. Stay strong.~May@AchievingClarity
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you opened up and gave him a 2 hour moment of honesty. Sounds like it was exactly what you both needed!
ReplyDeleteI agree, writing down or vocalizing our thoughts and beliefs somehow cements them into our hearts. Nice post today. Stopping by from mama kats kelley at the road goes ever ever on
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