space, tuesday

Tuesday, August 12

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer: Teach me, God to make room for you in all the events and affairs of my days.  Then I shall find rest.  Then I will be at peace with myself and with you. (Norman Shawchuck in A Guide To Prayer for All Who Seek God)

Scripture Reading for the Day: John 8:31-38

Reading for Reflection:

 

     Most of us, most of the time, just fill our spaces up or dull our awareness of them.  We grab a book, run to the television, work on a project, socialize, have a drink.  I used to think women were more comfortable with space than men; nowadays I am not so sure.  Women perhaps feel more guilty about taking time in freedom for themselves, while men feel more anxious.  But it is a tiny difference.  Either way, real space can be very unpleasant.

     We somehow must realign our attitudes toward spaciousness.  We must begin to see it as presence rather than absence, friend instead of enemy. (The Awakened Heart by Gerald G. May)

 

It is an addiction of the first order that we feel we must always be filling up our spaces.  It goes along with our addictions to work, to productivity, to efficiency.  Sometimes, though, we do not like spaciousness because of what appears to us within it. (The Awakened Heart by Gerald G. May)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

          
Closing Prayer: O Lord our God, help us to constantly make room for your word within us, that it might take root and grow into something incredibly beautiful.  For the sake of your Son Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.