It was last year, on Ash Wednesday, when I started this blog at the end of my work day. All that day, I had been recalling the memory of My First Ashes. I am fairly tech savvy because of some experience integrating technology into my teaching. But, I had never blogged before on any personal subject matter. My work life and my personal life…particularly my faith journey…were two separate things. At that time, a barricade existed between them. But, something was happening in my spirit that I couldn’t ignore.

The urge to write was relentless. My story wanted to be released. I sat still. I closed my eyes. I breathed deeply. I wrote. Words flowed, and I was transported back to those moments for all their lessons, all their mystery, all their divine points of light.

That is when the name of my then-nameless blog came to me: small points of light.

My small points of light are the times that I have caught a glimpse of the divine in my life: moments of awe, awareness, questioning, wonder, realization. Being open to re-experiencing and writing about these moments has been a transformative experience in my spiritual life. My worlds of work, faith, family, life have come together. Different stories resonate with different people. People I never even knew have started reading and conversing with me. People I thought I knew have become more aware of who I am, and respond to me in ways that are authentic and affirming. This blog has been a gift to me, fundamentally changing and deepening my relationships with others, and deeply reaffirming my relationship with God.

During the past year, I have learned to cultivate sacred space in my life through writing, reflecting, and sharing. I am so grateful for all the blessings that have come into my life during this time. So, in Lent 2014, I am giving back.

This year, I will be Cultivating Sacred Space with my faith community, and in virtual community with whomever wishes to join. This virtual space is easy to use, interactive, and open to everyone…one does not need to be a member of a church, an Episcopalian, or even identify as “Christian” to participate. God meets us where we are, and when we cultivate sacred space in our lives we begin to see God’s presence in new ways, each of us on our own journey.

Each week in Lent, I will introduce a new theme. An interactive image will lead you to seven practices during that week, one for each day. These practices can be followed in any order. I have a linked blog, “Sacred Space at St. Thomas” where you can leave comments as part of virtual community. I will be blogging here, and on that site concurrently, throughout Lent.

Please join me in this 40 day journey of Cultivating Sacred Space:

Cultivating Sacred Space: An Introduction

All are Welcome

Cross-Reference:

http://stthomasrichmond.org/article/cultivating-sacred-space-lenten-online-faith-formation-2014

http://sacredspaceatstthomas.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/cultivating-sacred-space-introduction/