• Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Celtic Spirituality
    • Church Calendar
      • Advent, Christmas, New Year & Epiphany
      • Lent & Easter
      • Pentecost & Ordinary Time – updated 2023
    • Creation Spirituality
    • Hospitality
    • Justice, Suffering, & Wholeness
    • Prayers, Practices, & Direction
    • Seasons & Blessings
  • Speaking
    • Speaking
  • Courses
    • Finding Beauty in the Ashes of Lent
    • Walking in Wonder Through Advent
    • Gearing Up for a Season of Gratitude
    • Gift of Wonder Online Retreat
    • Lean Towards the Light Advent Retreat Online
    • Making Time for a Sacred Summer Online Retreat
    • Spirituality of Gardening Online Course
    • Time to Heal Online Course
  • Writers Community
    • Writers Community
    • Guidelines
  • Blog
  • Store
    • My Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • Liturgical Rebels Podcast
  • 0
Godspacelight
by dbarta

Today I want to Go Home

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

sm-Tom-Sine

Today I just want to go home. I am missing Tom, I am missing our dog Bonnie and I am missing our “normal” life back in Seattle. I know I am in the right place but it is so hard sitting here watching my mother’s life slowly, oh so slowly, ebb away.

Yesterday I changed my airline tickets home, delaying my return for another 10 days. It might need to be delayed again. None of us know how long this dying will take and it is agony for all of us.

I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist:

Psalm 13

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

When death hovers over a loved one like this the cry of all our hearts is – “how long”? but in the midst I still know that God’s love will never fail and I cling to that. I pray each morning and evening for God’s peace to rest on my mother and for God’s love to engulf her. I know your prayers are with me.

August 2, 2013 12 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Prayer

Prayers for the Journey

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

Many of my prayers this week have focused on my mother and her fight with cancer. I have already posted several of these prayers, but did not want to detract from the other beautiful prayers and sayings posted on the Light for the Journey Facebook page this week.

Portsmouth beach
‘Life is a walk to remember. Our tomorrows are determined by the steps we take each day. Every sunset gives us one day less to live but every sunrise gives us one day more to hope. So savor every step and live it well.’
Posted by Micha Jazz 

Seven Deadly Sins.

Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Science without humanity
Knowledge without character
Politics without principle
Commerce without morality
Worship without sacrifice

Mahatma Gandhi

As I sit beside my mother in her last illness I often read Celtic prayers like this one to be a great comfort.

Death comes silently –
slowly for some
with sudden swiftness for others,
yet unavoidable – certain.
However long or short
our span of life,
the last great enemy,
yet conquered by your Resurrection.
Lord, teach us to number our days
and so apply our hearts to wisdom.

———————————-
We have a promise,
a God-given promise
that will not fail,
a new heaven
and a new earth,
where love
and righteousness
reside.
May our lives reflect
that promise
and be found
spotless
on that glorious day.
God of love
and mercy,
pour your living water
into these hearts,
cleanse and refresh them,
that they might
overflow in praise.(www.faithandworship.com)

This world is yours, planned in eternity
created in a moment of sheer exuberance
permeated with love
well madeThis place is yours, in its simplicity,
blue sky and countryside, pure creativity,
painted with care
well made

This day is yours, pure generosity,
given for moments of gentle reflection,
in the bustle of a day
well made

This moment is yours in its entirety,
a drop of time in an ocean of history,
gifted with joy
well made

(http://www.facebook.com/faithandworship)

We are often poor servants
in your kingdom, Lord,
forgive our reluctance
to share your load.
May our hearts always be ready
to be troubled by injustice.
May our hands always be ready
to share the burden of a stranger.
May our feet always be ready
if asked to go that extra mile.
May our pride always be ready
to be humbled before we fall.
May our love always be ready
to be shared with those in need.
May our lives always be ready
to be a lamp in this dark world.
We are often poor servants
in your kingdom, Lord,
forgive our reluctance,
inspire us, we pray.(www.faithandworship.com)

Today’s prayer is from Esther De Waal’s wonderful book
The Celtic Way of PrayerGod with me lying down,
God with me rising up,
God with me in each ray of light,
Nor I a ray of joy without Him
Nor One ray without Him.

Christ with me sleeping,
Christ with me waking,
Christ with me watching,
Every day and night,
Every day and night.

God with me protecting,
The Lord with me directing,
The Spirit with me strengthening,For ever and for evermore,
Ever and evermore,
Amen

As I headed out to Australia to see my Mum I came across this prayer by David Adams which gives great comfort as I travel and wait

Where does the journey end?
Beyond where you can see
Where do the years end?
That’s unknown to you or me
Where does life end?
In love and eternity.

David Adams

August 2, 2013 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
MSA events

Still Time to Register for the Celtic Retreat

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine
 

22nd Annual Celtic Prayer Retreat
It’s not too late to join

banner

Don’t Miss Out – Register Before Midnight August 7th!
Email Us
We’re counting down to the Celtic Retreat!  This year’s theme: “Celebrate the Newness”.Join us at Mustard Seed Village on beautiful Camano Island (Washington State) and enjoy times together in worship, prayer, meditation on scripture, creative activities, and the celebration of the Eucharist/Communion.

We’ll also have plenty of alone time for wandering the prayer trails, walking the labrynth, and relaxing quietly.  And of course, there’s always time for conversing, conspiring, and dreaming!

We will have programs designed especially for children and teens.  The younger kids will expand their imaginations with Kendra Long, and teenagers will explore igniting their own creative spark with Cindy Todd.

Only one week left to register for the event.

This is a great opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy the company of fellow sojourners on The Way. Come just for Saturday, or join us the whole weekend for camping and more informal times of conversation, prayer, and meandering the prayer trails.
hauling.beams
Bonus – You get to see in person the progress
being made on the new building!

Be sure to register before midnight, August 7.
(Late arrivals are welcome to register the day of the event, however
we cannot guarantee enough prayer books and programs to go around.)

Here’s a quick breakdown of activities:
Friday

  • 6:00-8:00 pm — arrive and set up tents
  • 8:30 pm — evening prayers

Saturday – The Main Event

  • Breakfast on your own – coffee and tea provided
  • 8:30 am — Morning prayers for those who stayed overnight or who arrive early
  • 9:30 am — Registration and gathering (coffee and tea available)
  • 10:00 am — Preparing to Set Sail- decorating the altar
  • 10:30 am — Building together: lectio divina
  • 12:30 pm — Potluck lunch
  • 1:30 pm — Dreaming together – dedicating the pole barn
  • 2:00 pm — Working and resting together — walk the prayer trails, pray in the labyrinth, meditate amongst the trees, help us paint the mural, make boats for St. Brendan
  • 5:00 pm — Setting Sail into Newness – eucharistic service and sharing with Ryan Marsh
  • 6:30 pm –The Great Shared Feast – BBQ dinner (bring your own BBQ items & potluck salads)

Sunday

  • Breakfast on your own
  • 9:00 am — morning prayers, worship and feedback time
  • 10:00 am — break camp & prepare to go home.
Hope to see you there!

Find out more on our Celtic Prayer Retreat page

August 1, 2013 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Tears, Tears, Tears

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

Cockatoos on roof

The wait continues and my emotions go up and down.Today the chaplain visited. She told us we have good coping mechanisms. Though I don’t always feel it I know that it is true, and you are all helping.  Prayer, long morning walks listening to the kookaburras and photographing the cockatoos on the roof, sharing the story on my blog and the writing of poetry all help.  And now I find myself grieving for the things I could/should be doing – like preparing for the Celtic retreat next week and getting ready to go on vacation with Tom. Life does go on but it feels the fabric has been ripped.

Tears, tears, tears,

So many tears.

I shed them for my mother

And her suffering.

I shed them for myself

And the turmoil of my pain.

I shed them for my friend

Fresh diagnosed with cancer.

Tears that drain me dry,

Tears that shout this is not right,

Death does not conquer all,

Christ’s sacrifice is not in vain.

God has the final victory,

Death’s slow embrace,

Will give way to God’s eternal light.

August 1, 2013 8 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Not Embarrassed to Share About Death

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

Scott Simon with his mother – via Today news

In the last couple of days several people have sent me links to NPR host Scott Simon’s tweet feed about the death of his mother. Like me he has not been embarrassed to share openly the pain, the tears and the heartache of these final days. I read and cried through this poignant article of how his mother became the collective mother to 1.2 million people who followed Scott on twitter, finding great comfort in what he shared. Many of his followers I suspect remembered their own moments of loss and grief as they read what he wrote. Some I am sure will be better able to cope with death in the future as a result.

I too have been amazed by the comfort others find in my journey. It makes me realize how important it is to share these types of events. We are all vulnerable people, so afraid of death, embarrassed to share how deeply it scars us, afraid to admit the ache it leaves inside us. We go to great lengths to hide from it and to hide it from the world. Yet it is one of the few certainties of life.

Thank you for continuing to share this journey with me. I still have no idea how long my mother’s final journey will take. I would like it to be quick, I don’t want to see her suffer, but I also realize it is in God’s hands. Thank you for your prayers and support and comments – they are much appreciated.

July 31, 2013 7 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Uncategorized

Comfort in the Midst of Waiting

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

Mum with service dog

I continue to sit by my mother’s bedside. Thank you for your prayers and supportiveness. Particularly appreciate this poem sent to me by Heather Jephcott

You Lord are my place of safety
Since finding you I need no other
Having experienced your shelter
I knew I need look no further

You keep me secure
locked in Your vastness

You are my maker, creator of all
the one whose giant hands
hold this entire magnificent universe

You not only made me
but gave to me a place of safety
a place where I am secure,
locked in this sanctuary
a place of peace, hope, love and joy
you not only hold the keys
but are this place

You save me from the onslaught of the dark
helping me to cope with times of sadness, difficulty
You are the rock on which I build my life
no shifting sand that varies with the days
but solid, safe, secure

You save me from the worst in me
keeping my brokenness for your use
within your kingdom
to remould it into something of beauty
where you are king and I am not alone

You fill me with hope
calmly expressing that you are
all the security I need now and
throughout the eternal ages
this hope glows bright now
becoming stronger, more dazzling
each passing day

 

July 31, 2013 2 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Mustard Seed Village

Mustard Seed village UP-date

by Christine Sine
written by Christine Sine

On July 27th a dedicated team demonstrated the ultimate support for Mustard Seed Village by installing the final support beams on our first building.

Thanks to the extreme generosity of Greg and Nathan Abell, Martin Bayley, Brad Glenn, Dennis and Andrew Todd, and many others who have been praying and have helped in advising and procuring supplies, all the remaining beams were raised today by 4:30 p.m. Our team of volunteers were exhausted.

It takes a team to raise a village.Tom exclaimed, “Thanks be to God for the miracle of having all the beams up!!!”

We are looking forward to seeing most of you at the annual Celtic Retreat, Saturday August 10 during which we’ll have a luncheon dedicating of the erection of our first facility in the Mustard Seed Village.

Preparing the beamsThere are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer your construction talents to the project! Next up, we need to get the roof on as soon as possible!  If you have carpentry skills and are interested, please contact us and let us know.

Thank you for your continued prayer as the Mustard Seed Village dream unfolds. You can join us in God-inspired future through prayer, volunteering as we continue construction on the village, and through contributing financially. If you haven’t already seen it, please check out  Graham Kerr’s invitation to support construction of the village.

Check out more photos in this Facebook album

July 30, 2013 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • 1
  • …
  • 583
  • 584
  • 585
  • 586
  • 587
  • …
  • 641

As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small amount for purchases made through appropriate links.

Thank you for supporting Godspace in this way. 

Attribution Guidelines:

When referencing or quoting Godspace Light, please be sure to include the Author (Christine Sine unless otherwise noted), the Title of the article or resource, the Source link where appropriate, and ©Godspacelight.com. Thank you!

Share FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Products

  • Shop Items 1 1 Cookbook Bundle 3: Cookbook + Lean Towards The Light This Advent & Christmas Devotional + Lean Towards the Light Journal $32.00
  • Shop Items 6 Journal for Lean Towards the Light This Advent & Christmas - Download $6.99
  • Advent Bundle Physical Bundle: Journal, Prayer Cards, and Devotional: Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas $33.99
  • Blog Ads 400 x 400 19 Walking in Wonder through Advent Virtual Retreat $39.99
  • To Garden With God + Gift of Wonder Prayer Cards Bundle To Garden With God + Gift of Wonder Prayer Cards Bundle $23.99
You can now join Christine on Substack

Meet The Godspace Community Team

Meet The Godspace Community Team

Christine Sine is the founder and facilitator for Godspace, which grew out of her passion for creative spirituality, gardening and sustainability. Together with her husband, Tom, she is also co-Founder of Mustard Seed Associates but recently retired to make time available for writing and speaking.
Read More...

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

Search the blog

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Email

© 2025 - Godspacelight.com. All Right Reserved.

Godspacelight
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Celtic Spirituality
    • Church Calendar
      • Advent, Christmas, New Year & Epiphany
      • Lent & Easter
      • Pentecost & Ordinary Time – updated 2023
    • Creation Spirituality
    • Hospitality
    • Justice, Suffering, & Wholeness
    • Prayers, Practices, & Direction
    • Seasons & Blessings
  • Speaking
    • Speaking
  • Courses
    • Finding Beauty in the Ashes of Lent
    • Walking in Wonder Through Advent
    • Gearing Up for a Season of Gratitude
    • Gift of Wonder Online Retreat
    • Lean Towards the Light Advent Retreat Online
    • Making Time for a Sacred Summer Online Retreat
    • Spirituality of Gardening Online Course
    • Time to Heal Online Course
  • Writers Community
    • Writers Community
    • Guidelines
  • Blog
  • Store
    • My Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • Liturgical Rebels Podcast
Sign In

Keep me signed in until I sign out

Forgot your password?

Password Recovery

A new password will be emailed to you.

Have received a new password? Login here

Shopping Cart

Close

No products in the cart.

Close
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.