Reading but not Writing

I haven't been writing much. There are 3 other blogs I contribute to and in the last months my contributions have been slim to nil. (Reasons vary and I'm hoping to snap out of it.)

Nelly sent me Rilke's Book of Images and said, "It's ok that you're not writing these days. Just be sure to read good things."

That made me pause and feel comforted as I recalled what I have read since the beginning of the year...

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Death personified watches the life of one little German girl during WW2. So beautiful! Really astonishing.

Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson. More inspiring stories from the author of Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson builds schools in the hardest to reach areas of Central Asia. Great stuff.

When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd. Thoughts on faith and how it changes as we grow. Lovely.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. The true story of great wealth, terrible poverty and how two lives come together across the gulf between them. Sweet.

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Painful yet exhilarating reading on turning oppression of women into opportunity for them instead.

Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Drawing from many faiths but primarily the Judeo Christian tradition, this book is about renewal and delight in the midst of life. Sweet and simple.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. Combining many sources of wisdom with Biblical encouragement to be whole. Draws on many writers/thinkers I've already read so was a review but inspiring none the less.

How (not) to Speak of God by Peter Rollins. Discussions on faith from a very bright young (well, 10 years younger than me) mind. Enjoyed this very much.

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. Reflections on growing up in small-town midwest America. Poignant and very funny.

She Got Up off the Coach (and other heroic acts from Mooreland, Indiana) by Haven Kimmel. More incredibly subtle observations and wicked humor as Kimmel tells the story of her mother's resurrection from junk food and depression. These 2 books must be read back to back. Loved them.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. Miller's journey continues as he discovers the importance of story and how a life should be a really, really good one. I love story and I like this thinking. (But you cannot convince me that he writes at the level of Anne Lamott.)

On-going readings...

The Bible. Most recently I Corinithians and 1 John. Always from the Psalms.

Rainer Maria Rilke. His poetry... sigh. It's like chocolate. I just take a little piece and luxuriate in it.

Mary Oliver. Perfect. Her poetry is so sweet. Beauty in the simple.

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community. Selections here and there throughout the days and weeks. Peaceful. Helpful. Good.

Looking forward to...

Untamed by Alan and Deb Hirsch. I'm a big fan of both Alan and Deb because they are kind and genuine and smart. Deb says this one is more readable than Alan's other books (though I didn't find those difficult to read) because she helped him write it. Ha! That girl :-)

Two Poems

Flipping through my old journal entries, I came across two poems that I copied down. Rilke and Oliver... So good!
******

I believe in all that has never yet been spoken.
I want to free what waits within me
so that what no one has dared to wish for
may for once spring clear
without my contriving.

If this sounds arrogant, God, forgive me,
but this is what I need to say.
May what i do flow from me like a river,
no forcing and no holding back,
the way it is with children.

Then in these swelling and ebbing currents,
these deepening tides moving out, returning,
I will sing you as no one ever has,
streaming through widening channels
into the open sea.

R.M. Rilke
*****

Praying

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones, just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice can speak.

-Mary Oliver