This week is all about CREATIVITY.
MONDAY:
A lesson: I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you.
-The Message (Ezekiel 36: 26)
Some thoughts:
I remember a couple of years ago here at Hendricks Regional Health (we were then known as Hendricks Community Hospital) we experienced a wave of creativity. A jungle theme came alive; the hospital facilities became warm and cheerful. Visitors, patients and staff were smiling more as departments accepted the challenge to be creative. HRH became therapeutic in a new way. Generally we focus on healing through the gifted care of a medical community touching the aching person. What we discovered (and hopefully we will not forget) is that new life came to hurting persons through artistic, aesthetic touches. A generally sterile setting had new life.
We are a gifted and talented community! The DVD created for Associates' Day let us know that!
Can we find ways to call forth that creativity on a regular basis? The reading for today talks about a "new spirit" dwelling within and among the people of God. That new spirit just might be a spirit of creativity. May we discover more and more ways to let dormant creativity be alive in the routines of our daily caregiving. Truly creativity is an important part of treating people better.
A Prayer: God of the journey, help us to affirm each other as we continually discover the new spirit you place within us. Amen.
--Ben Keckler 09.10.07
TUESDAY:
A lesson: Psalm 144: 9
"I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you."
Some thoughts:
Claiming your creative edge or edges can be a most energizing activity. You've heard someone say something like: "I'm not creative." Possibly, you have even uttered those words. The reality is that each of us has creative potential within. Over the years, I've observed people display gifts I had no knowledge they possessed. They demonstrated the creative potential that they discovered within.
One way of discovering the creative genius within us is practice. A musician discovers their creative edge as they practice the basics of scales, chords, melody, harmony and technic. A gourmet chef discovers their creative edge practicing with herbs and spices and then dreaming "outside the recipe box." A gardener discovers their creative edge by nurturing various plants and working in various soils. The more we practice the more we develop an inner confidence. With time we are ready to "sing new songs" and play new instruments of praise to our Creator. Having honed our skills, we are prepared to listen to that inner voice and create something unique.
A Prayer: God of Creativity, liberate me from the repetitive rhythms and tired tunes. Ready me to hear the pulse of a new beat and the whisper of a new melody, and then let me play for you my song of praise. Amen.
--Ben Keckler 09.11.07
WEDNESDAY:
A lesson: Isaiah 43:19
"I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert"
Some thoughts:
This verse contains a really wonderful insight about creativity. It tells us that creativity comes out of silence and listening. The source of new things in our lives is all about what the Holy One, the creator is doing within us. As we take time to practice the art of stillness we will find ourselves dreaming dreams, seeing pictures in our minds, coming up with solutions for problems, ...
Often we jump to statements about our inability. It is easy to do. For example, many people feel very inadequate with their artistic abilities. When asked to draw something we say, "I can't draw." The same is true with mechanical abilities, musical abilities and so on. We tend to jump to the concluding statement rather than allowing the silence to work a new thing within us.
In the pre-computer age we didn't know about double-clicking on icons so that a screen would appear. Now millions who never thought they'd have any literacy about the "new thing" called computers have quietly discovered that they are doing things they never perceived they could do! Enjoy the discoveries you make as creative wonder springs up within you!
A Prayer: Grace-giving God, when life seems dry, let me find living water in the wilderness. Grant me the creativity to fashion vessels that carry this water to others. Amen.
--Ben Keckler 09.12.07
THURSDAY:
"The discipline of solitude is one of the most powerful disciplines.
It is a simple, though not easy, way to free us from the slavery of our
occupations and preoccupations and begin to hear
the voice that makes all things new."
Henri Nouwen
Making All Things New, page 75
Some thoughts:
Now here is a major challenge for each of us - creating a space to be alone for a few minutes each day. Listening to silence is wonderful, but it can be tough to feel comfortable in silence. We are surrounded by distractions and interruptions, we are surrounded by noise and busy schedules, and in fact, we've even created "surround sound"!
I'm looking forward to spending a week with two of my grandchildren in October (will take some time for daughter and son-in-law, too!) but I am not anticipating those moments to be silent! While leaving them will be difficult, I already know that I will enjoy the silence that will be part of my return to normal routine.
They live near the base of Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs. In between the care giving and the cooking, I plan to take some quiet time. Sitting in a hot tub, looking at Pike's Peak and its splendor will make that quiet time pretty relaxing. The challenge is finding ways to "be still" and know that God is renewing me day after day after day.
A prayer: God be near me as I creatively develop places of solitude. Amen.
--Ben Keckler 09.13.07
FRIDAY:
A lesson: Read Psalm 40
"God put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."
Some thoughts:
We conclude this week's thoughts on creativity with this prayer by Roberta Porter. May you have a weekend filled with many creative expressions of love, peace and joy.
A Prayer for Becoming
Roberta Porter
Lord,
may I live each day creatively, in you,
beginning with thanks for life itself,
for life in you.
May I find my gifts, knowing
in the searching I am becoming
who you created me to be.
May I use these gifts
to serve each task
as serving you, seeing in the work
and in others
your face, your light.
And, at the end of the day
may I rest in your grace,
always grateful.
Amen.
--Ben Keckler 09.14.07
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