Wednesday, July 18, 2007

A Cup of Cool Water

Have I mentioned lately that my plate is full?

Somehow in all the busyness I forgot to slow down and really spend time reflecting, being with God, journaling, all those things that I know bring me a sense of peace. A few days ago I was reminded why spiritual practices sustain me.

The last few months in the few moments I have been “awake” meaning slowing down enough to notice, I have had a couple of themes going on. One, being invited to the irresistible dance that is going on between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (perichoresis) and two, feeling like I have had no place to catch my breath.

A friend gave me a book last fall that I started on Tuesday, May I Have This Dance? by Joyce Rupp. The first page reads: Thus God says to these bones: “I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live.”

Then that same friend mentioned I might want to read Psalm 23 in the Message, which I did this morning. This phrase leapt off the page at me: True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Friends listening, contemplative prayer, reading, journaling, reflection – a cup of cool water for my soul!

1 comment:

Pat L said...

Cool post, Rose. I'm certainly finding myself at risk of the same busyness - and I'm finding two things that are helping me to stay in the moment:

I'm doing a lot of photography - and what I like to do is observe a scene or a person, watching for moments, and pick the right time. It's amazing to me how much of a spiritual discipline photography is.

I've also been doing more bicycling for exercise, and just picked up a road bike. There's something very meditative about being in the countryside, feeling the pebbles and cracks in the road, and noticing all those little hills that you don't bother to notice in the car.

Both areas give me awareness, and opportunities to practice being int he moment, and it's wonderful how easy prayer is at those times.