CBI Member Allison MacDonald's thoughts on "Call"

Calling. This is our topic in Chapter 4 of "God's To Do List", and I find myself a bit overwhelmed when thinking about being called, what to, what for, how and why and what it all means. Is it the daily calling of being calm, mindful and careful in my routines, in my relationships and in my heart? Is it a "larger" calling of what God is asking of me, and how I can hear this? I sense that the answers to my questions differ depending on where I am in my life, what is going on, and what stage my family is in- one challenge is finding today's and this year's answer.I do find myself wondering how my husband and I are called differently. He is a practicing Episcopalian and feels that his calling is heard when he can open his heart to God. Opening his heart takes honesty, clarity, strength and trust, as it does for me. When my heart is open, often when in nature or at temple, I can feel what God may want for and from me. Although we follow different religions, I feel that the importance of hearing God's calls is in our hearts and am thankful when we take the time to listen. This kind of listening is much more difficult than hearing the daily calls of giving to others, being the parent that I want to be, staying in touch with family (mom!) and friends and getting snacks for all. More difficult, but so freeing and a blessing.So off I go for the easy calls, muffins in the oven (with chocolate chips).

Chapter 4 - Call April 2009

Chapter 4, Call is our chapter of the month. As in past months, we encourage members of our congregation to read or reread this chapter. We seek, in this way, to promote a concept of community learning and doing as we learn from each other’s stories, share ideas, and extend our sense of connection to one another and Jewish tradition. A reminder, if you have not yet received a copy of this book, you may pick up one of the few remaining copies at the CBI office.

Chapter 4, Call, asks us to think about who we are and where we are in our relationship with God. This chapter poses many questions for us to ponder. Are we listening? Do we hear when that "still, small voice" asks us to do the right thing? Do we respond when God calls? Are we choosing to be God’s partner?

This chapter invites us to consider how the purpose of life is to serve God. This concept encompasses our relationship with others. It induces us to ask: "Are we listening when our family, friends, and neighbors call?" Do we answer, “Hineini – Here I am,” as Moses did? "Are we reaching out to others as much as we would like?"

It’s not always easy to hear God’s call or to hear the call of our loved ones or neighbors. The concept of calling encourages us to listen a little more carefully both to the calls that come from outside us and to the calls that comes from our hearts.

What is God calling you to do?

Ideas for God’s To-Do List – Call

1. Call your parents, spouse, children, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends – just to check in.

2. Practice hearing. Listen to a loved on or a colleague speak, and don’t interrupt.

3. Return messages and e-mails from others as soon as possible. They are calling you.

4. Respect questions from others, and respond as patiently and thoughtfully as you would want others to respond to you.

5. Consider the question "Where am I?" regularly.

6. Call your congressperson about a cause you believe in. Call the president of the country to share how you feel about an issue [(202)456-1111 (comments) or (202)456-1414 (switchboard).]

7. Call your friends to join you in volunteering.

8. Study how biblical figures answer God’s call.

9. Listen for God’s call. You’ll know it when you hear it.

10. Respond to the call remembering that you are on a mission to do God’s work on earth.