Monday Morning Musing: Paying Attention

A dozen years ago the congregation where I was serving welcomed a new intern. Inge was the first of several interns I was lucky enough to supervise. She currently serves a congregation in northeast Pennsylvania and is what she has been since I first met her, a wise and faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ. As is often the case, I learned a great deal from her, even as she learned among us. At its best, internship works exactly this way.

When her internship was complete, Inge gifted me a beautiful print by the artist Cody F. Miller; it hangs in my office still. It was one of Miller's earlier works and is entitled "Stand".* He cites Romans 14:4 as the inspiration for this work: "Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for God is able to make them stand." He goes on to describe how the people in his life have imparted this to him, have become the love of God to him. This, he says, is the foundation on which he stands.

I appreciate so much that Miller's art is the outward expression of his faith. As the years went on, I was gifted another of his works, by my Beloved - "Pilgrimage" which comes with an incredible story and another verse of Scripture that served as inspiration. In his story, Miller uses the phrase "spendthrift grace" which I rather love and have jotted in the place where I record words that help the world make sense.

In 2020, my Beloved and I moved to Columbus, OH, where I had accepted a position at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. We had not imagined that we would leave Seattle and I had not considered that we would return to the Midwest, but, to quote another theologian "When God calls, God calls." As it happened, our time there was filled with so many wondrous and beautiful things. We lived in a neighborhood that we loved, one block from bookstores and libraries and cafes and restaurants and drugstores and gifts shops and three blocks from the seminary. We walked everywhere. Even in the snow, especially in the snow. I had returned to the place where I was formed for this holy vocation and it was a joy and gift to work with our students. Dear friends were also in Columbus and the surrounding area. For that season, returning there was the right thing to do.

And, as it happened, we discovered that Cody F. Miller also lives and works in Columbus, with his wife, Julie. We were fortunate to be able to attend some art shows that featured his work and eventually we even met both Millers. Julie is an artist as well, and we have a beautiful fern print clay piece she fashioned. I acquired three more of Cody's pieces: "Manna", "A New Heart", and "Wisdom".

When we returned to the PNW and I began my call to serve at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, I knew that I wanted to use Cody's work on our bulletin covers when it seemed to fit, beginning at my Installation with "Manna". We also used "St. Francis" for his feast day and "Kingdom of God" on Reign of Christ Sunday.

I am delighted by the way these dots have connected in my life - that Pastor Inge's gift introduced me to an artist whose work would have meaning in my ministry and life. And that I would have the chance to meet him and know him. And then, that I could share his work with the people I am so privileged to serve amongst at Gloria Dei.

One of my spiritual practices for Advent this year is paying attention. I'm keenly aware that I become distracted by so much: the news, social media, to-do lists.....I wonder what I'm missing in the midst of that distraction? What beautiful connections are happening just beyond my awareness that I'm not seeing because I'm just not paying attention?

I don't say this as judgment or self recrimination. I say it with wonder. Because I've seen the dots connect before and I know that in a thousand little ways we are woven together in ways we aren't aware of....yet.

"Manna"

Please visit www.codyfmiller.com to view and read more about this amazing artist and his work.