The Examen is a method of reviewing our day in the presence of God. It’s practice more than a method, breathing in for thankful reflection for God in the simple things. It has five steps, which is an opportunity for a quick quarter-hour daily examen through writing or meditation.
This method is from the work of Ignatius of Loyola.
Ask God for insight: Let’s look at our day with God’s eyes, not merely our own.
Give thanks: What are we grateful for? The day we have just lived is a gift from God.
Review the day: Rewind your thoughts through the day and be aware of how each section makes you feel.
Face your shortcomings: This is an opportunity to sit with the moments where we have caused harm. A moment of confession.
Look toward the day to come: I ask where I need God in the day to come.
To download your own copy of this process click here to print for yourself: PDF VERSION
This weeks devotional is all about intimacy. Watch the video above to talk through how to seek intimacy with Christ in your everyday. Our world has changed significantly this week. And the timing of this video is not lost on me. God is very kind and gracious.
In today’s video, I chat about my friend Jodie McCarthy who is publishing a short podcast each day across Easter, starting Holy Thursday and Finishing Easter Monday. To get an audio message filled with poetry and life each day sign up here: EASTER PODCAST
Even in seasons, when the road does not look clear. Moments where we see dimly and we don’t understand what is happening.
Reply to this blog in the comments to let me know how you are going?
One way I have been serving my community here online is by showing up each weekday on zoom to hold space and encourage anyone who needs connection. Tomorrow I launch a free online retreat for 5 days and you are invited.
NOW: 5-day creative online retreat on zoom starts tomorrow at 9.30 am Perth time.
Each day this week I have been hosting a zoom call to encourage, pray and support anyone in the community. This week we are working through Dear Creative Self come and join the free mentoring group here.
This weeks devotional is all about wisdom. Watch the video below to talk through how to seek clarity in your everyday. Our world has changed significantly this week. And the timing of this video is not lost on me. God is very kind and gracious.
Even in seasons, when the road does not look clear. Moments where we see dimly and we don’t understand what is happening.
Reply to this email to let me know how you are going?
Fear is rampant and Amanda chats about this present reality.
I have included some social media images for you below if you want to share them and each day this coming week, I am hosting live mentoring calls with women of influence here.
This morning I stood in front of the television deciding what to put on as the background to our morning. We were all ready for our day with an hour to spare. I wanted to check in on the news. Ready to hear the latest stats, and what is happening around the world. My worried heart wanted to sit and watch the live streams uninterrupted, my fear wanted to jump into the front seat of my car and take the wheel.
However, sitting at my feet were my little children absorbing everything that echoed through our house. Then something really simple happened, I chose a playlist of Disney tunes over the news. A very simple switch but something really profound awakened in my household. Hope peaked around the corner from our corridor and told fear to go away.
You would think that listening to a Disney soundtrack would be an act of avoidance, but the funny thing is this; I have never watched a film from Disney that has not held within it a story of courage, resilience and hope. Every storyline teaches our next generation about showing up and being seen in the midst of adversity and loss.
The first song belted through my living room from Frozen, singing the lyrics…
“The snow glows white on the mountain tonight Not a footprint to be seen A kingdom of isolation And it looks like I’m the queen the wind is howling like this swirling storm inside Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried Don’t let them in, don’t let them see Be the good girl you always have to be Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know Well, now they knowLet it go, let it go”
Let it go.
The next song flicked onto our screens from Moana with these words…
“I know a girl from an island She stands apart from the crowd She loves the sea and her people She makes her whole family proud Sometimes the world seems against you The journey may leave a scar But scars can heal and reveal just Where you are The people you love will change you The things you have learned will guide you And nothing on earth can silence The quiet voice still inside you”
I am Moana.
From Beauty and the Beast…
“There’s been a change in me A kind of moving on Though what I used to be I still depend upon For now, I realize That good can come from bad That may not make me wise But oh it makes me glad”
Change in Me.
The power of story to transport us to a place of hope and light is so beautiful. I am choosing to focus on words that build life into my family in this season, over ones of doom and destruction.
Last weekend as a family we watched the latest Disney/ Pixar release of Onward. And the power of entering an adventure of a lifetime and leaning into the unknown is not lost on me in this season.
In the midst of everything that is happening, my dear readers, I am NOT suggesting you stop listening to our government, or leaders to seek out the information that you need in this season of the world. But I am suggesting that…
We are careful about what information we allow our kids to overhear. Creating opportunity for these emotions and fears to be unpacked in a way that they understand. Also, allow opportunities for them to seek out safety and understanding.
Don’t believe everything you read or hear? Make sure you use critical thinking and wisdom in the application of what is happening for your family.
Counterbalance the hysteria and worry, with moments of hope, inspiration and resilience. As we watch movies with our families, remind them what it is like to live with courage. The human capacity to rise in the tide of love and hope is very powerful.
My week four video for this Seek Devotional is all about Seeking Wisdom and the timing of this message couldn’t be any more profound to me. You can start your devotional today, through the videos available at the link above.
