Day 4's four offerings all point me toward one question...In all the freedom I've been given, what is the first thing I best do? There may be many days in our weeks when we don't feel particularly free to make chocies beacuse the school bus is coming, the memo is due, the appointment is scheduled. But I am reminded by today's readings that if I can just take a grounding moment, a centering moment and a deep breath, some clarity comes about my proper first thing in the midst of all the second and third and fourth things. Nouwen wants us to find a first moment for a prayer of thanks for the truth that we are loved by God.
OK, so here goes...I've taken my breath and that moment of thanks first thing in this day. And what do I now discover? That I have another moment to give thanks for other things, that, as I tie my shoes, I can offer a prayer for a new baby in the parish, that I can take a moment and truly listen to an idea of my partner or a sibling on the phone, that I can ask God for some particular help...somehow making a first moment for a prayer of thanks for God's love actually leads me into other prayers and into the inevitable second and third and fourth things of the day. In a short prayer of thanks we are graced to first ground all our realties in our grateful relationship with God.
First things first. Have a great day! Tim+
Tim, I just loved this!
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteI am finding that getting up early in the morning to read, write,PRAY is a wonderful way to start the day. But, it's really difficult to give God his due when everything is swirling around during the busyness of the day. I really get that finding the time has to be a pragmatic choice, one that can only be done in relationship between God and me. So, I need to reach out, reach in or just listen in the silence acknowledging his presence in those little moments so it can and does really make a BIG difference. I often talk about the 2 minute relationships that are possible just standing on a bus, eating lunch next to somebody you may not know. I think talking with God is so important and the relationship building is of such magnitude that the moment taken can result in forever relationship so sweet and awesome I cannot begin to feel the immense gratitude of just offering up praise to my God who knows what I am praying before I even finish the thought. Thanks for helping me to being more aware and more open to the experience in so many ways. It's just so too bad that I don't wear shoes I can tie. Blessings!
Almost every day I begin, before I get out of bed, to thank God for this day he has given me and ask his help in guiding me to do as he would have me do. This, of course, has mixed results. Wednesdays are particularly blessed when I am able to attend the 9 am service. Much of my inspiration does flow from the eucharist but I am aware also of the bounty of his love through the people I meet and in the beauty of nature. Thanks be to God!
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