2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Ephesians 4:2-4
This Peter Mayer song, “Holy Now,” was shared with me as we were in the beginning stages of planning the Lenten Blog. This song reminds me that I need to see the holy around me each day.
When I attended my first adult retreat, I was 30 years old, and I roomed with Clarice Simpson, who became one of my beloved spiritual teachers. Clarice Simpson was born in Jamaica in 1929, and our 42-year age difference washed away in her beloved presence.
Each morning, she would rise and pray. For a 30-year-old, I thought that was incredibly different, but I joined my roommate each morning. She showed me how to start my day with the power of prayer and reading scripture. I still have the prayer book she gave me from E. M. Bounds and use it in my morning devotions.
We shared our love of Anglican Hymns like “Jerusalem,” “Abide with Me,” and others on road trips to other retreats and events. Her inspiring story of emigrating from Jamaica with her young children taught me how important it is to spend time with uplifting people and trust the timing of my life, as God included me every day in his plan. Each day brings a miracle of its own; if only I would be awake to these miracles.
When I heard “Holy Now,” I fondly remembered Clarice as she lived out this song daily. Heavenly creator, thank you for the gift that was Clarice Simpson and to all the trailblazing women of faith who lit our journeys.
Marcie Doll
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