Sorry for no new blog yesterday. I gave myself over to what I am going to start calling Holy Rest. For those of us who are in the service of others: parents, medical professionals, social workers, ministers… we can be excellent at taking care of others but real bad at taking care of ourselves. I for one am a master of putting everybody elses wants above my own needs. Please note the two words: wants over needs. If you have read any of my past blogs you will experience me going into crisis because of my skill at denying myself basic needs such as rest. It is one thing when someone presents a need. As an intern one denies themself time off because this person is bleeding to death and needs help immediately. As a parent I get no sleep because my child is seriously ill and needs me by their side. As a teacher I stay late because a student needs my help. Where the boundries get fuzzy is when I stay because my hope to be wanted or seen as great is overshadowing my need for rest. I am not alone in this struggle but I am fighting my way to healthier choices.
Today is the feast of the Transfiguration. We remember, reflect and celebrate the day that Jesus, towards 
the end of his ministry, went up on the mountain and fully embraced his destiny as the Son of God. We forget that Jesus, although born the Son of God, in his humanity had to BECOME his destiny. We too forget that we are all called to BECOME our destiny. We too are called to transfigure ourselves by becoming what God sees as our potential and purpose. But we get in a hurry. We believe that we should be all that we were meant to be NOW! And we work, work, work ourselves into burnout or an early grave. Or, we hide in an addiction of choice, afraid that we won’t be up for the challenge. We learned early on not to disappoint so we don’t by not even trying. Interesting that we expect of ourselves something that Jesus, the Son of God, didn’t of Himself — perfection the first time out.
One of the things I love to discover in the Bible is those moments when people change Jesus mind. Or in the Old Testament, someone changes God’s mind. Remember the arguement (maybe I should say discussion) between Abraham and God over Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33)? Or Jesus healing a Cannanite woman’s daughter because she presented such a good arguement for it ( Matthew 15:21-28)? I am not suggesting that God is wishy washy. What I am suggesting is that “Becoming” is what our walk in life is all about. Looking at the unhealthy choices, decisions or ways we live and doing something about it. We struggle daily, working at “becoming” healthier today then we were yesterday. If God is open to that why shouldn’t we.
Today, on this the feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, let us all renew our personal call to become our destiny. Maybe its by eating a little healthier, or saying “no” to someone’s want; or standing up for yourself in the face of another’s addiction, or like me… getting a little more rest. Sometimes the battles we face are with the world and its secularism and anti-christian morality; but sometimes the battle we face is with ourselves. Either way God stands with us; Jesus inspires us and the Holy Spirit enables us to be more. All so that we too can transfigure ourselves. I remain, your servant in Christ,
Theresa
