Author Archives: donalddeanchambers

How did I feel this week?  I felt like fruits churning vociferously in a blender – busy, hectic, stressful, and compact, and rubbing shoulders with multiple persons in multiple activities. One of those weeks. Eh! Notwithstanding, my heart and mind were still aroused. Aroused by an exotic pineapple plant in my garden producing a tinyContinue reading “Pruning, Presence and Participation”

With God’s invitation, We lie on the bed of vulnerability,  With tense muscles, With weary bodies, With aching joints. All wounded from the battle of personal life, relationships, and uncontrollable and unexpected circumstances. With gentle and firm hands God goes to work Moving Her hands slowly up and down wounded bodies Moving, not with abusiveContinue reading “God, the Masseur”

Standing in the shallow end of the swimming pool, I unconsciously touched my right shoulder several times.  There was a slight pain at the end of each lap. Finishing my morning swim, I got dressed and headed for the exit of the pool complex. But I was stopped in my tracks by a gentleman whoContinue reading “Acts Of Kindness”

We are wounded, without and within. Wounded without is detectable, easily attended to. Wounded within is like a busted underground water pipe. Water gushing aggressively to the surface, the only evidence of brokenness. I grappled with a wounded little boy like a wounded animal. Wild with rage. Wild with tears. Wild with resistance. Wild withContinue reading “Father Wound”

My phone rings. I answer.  The voice on the other end responds, “My beloved priest.”  I smile. I bump into a woman at the grocery. She utters, “Beloved priest.”  She introduces herself and we stand in the middle of the aisle chatting. She shares a story about being distracted with house chores while the televisionContinue reading “BELOVED!”

When I read the front-page headline in the Jamaica Gleaner, Saturday, April 2, 2022 entitled Painful flashbacks: Father tormented by murder of 8-year-old son; Stepfather gets life in prison for offence, my heart ripped in a million pieces.  Sadness blanketed me.  Anger befriended me. Rage tormented me. Revenge knocked on my door. I felt theContinue reading “A Child Called Galen”

In his book entitled, Life is Messy, Matthew Kelly challenges me to: “Allow the ordinary to heal you.”“Learn to cherish the ordinary.”“Make a list of twenty ordinary things that bring you joy when you experience themconsciously” Here is my list:WINE OVER CONVERSATIONWATER – RIVER, SEA, SWIMMING POOLNATUREREADINGCHILDRENHUGSWRITINGAMICABLE WORKING STAFFPLANNINGSWIMMINGSLEEPINGLISTENINGALONENESSSILENCELISTENING TO THE SOUNDS OF BIRDSFRIENDSFAMILYARTWORKTEASINGSITTING INContinue reading “Ordinary Things”