Settle into Grace

In our hectic world, it’s often hard to “settle” ourselves in order to become receptive to God’s messages - plus, we don’t always have a place like Canaan in the Desert available to us.  So, I hope this little exercise provides an opportunity to become more relaxed and to trust that there is a much greater power joining us at this very moment—a power that is filled with love, joy and peace, more than we can ever imagine.  This is a gift of Grace.  Thank you for joining me today.  I wish you God’s peace and love always, and in all ways.  Let’s begin...

I’d like to start this journey by first relaxing, taking a few deep, long breaths, and by visualizing a moment in time as described in the following poem.  Get comfortable, shake away all those thoughts of things needing to be done, relax your muscles, relax your mind, relax your brain, just relax your whole body and settle into these words in order to visualize the experience.

                                                     The Forest at Noon

Ever so quietly they sat.

The forest grew still.

The deep blue sky began to spill,

Onto a myriad of growth below.

Mid-day amidst the sleeping rocks,

A nonchalant woodpecker taps at bay;

The sound of the wind does not get in his way,

The smell of the pines attracts him.

Wisps of cobwebs glistened in the sun,

No spiders on their turf;

Slowly dancing grasses on the surf,

Tantalized by the wind.

A sudden sound is heard atop

A tall, wavering pine;

A chirping call—a telling sign,

Claiming his place on earth.

All went silent,

The wind grew shy,

All eyes looked toward the sun;

Always reverent at noon.

Slowly they slipped away

Amidst this daily routine;

Were they ever seen

By the tiny wings fluttering by.

How are you feeling now?  Did this soothe you - or was it too hard to unleash the things needing to be done today?  Try reading it again to make every attempt to be there.

This was a moment in time on October 16, 1999, while hiking with a friend on the Thumb Butte Trail, in Prescott, AZ.  I took this moment—a snapshot of time—and detailed it as best I could.  Obviously, we cannot do this with every moment; but the more we teach ourselves to recognize each moment, the more we will fill our lives with beauty, and Grace will be revealed to us.  Take another look at this snapshot—wonder at the color of the sky—why is it blue?  Is the air that we breathe blue?  Since there was a moment of stillness at noon, do you suppose nature sings the Angelus, too?  Were the little creatures of the forest expecting us?  Or did we go unnoticed?  Did the trees acknowledge us in some way that is not known to humankind?  How long do you suppose the rocks had been sitting there—did they mind our using them for a moment’s retreat?  Do you suppose the birds talked about us—did they warn each other that we were present?  Was the butterfly a messenger?  Or was it there to offer a cool breeze?

Our lives are like an intriguing mosaic, filled with beauty, with intersections of people, places and things carrying messages to us each day—pay attention because they are always there.  These messages come from all around us—people, little children, billboards and postings, from the radio and TV, and from within us, our intuition—that’s a very important one!  These messages are filled with Grace.  Grace bathes us like the sun’s rays.  Grace shines on us like the moon and the twinkling stars.  Grace comes to us in a whisper—or clashes at us like a cymbal!  Sink deeply, now; go to your heart and think—think of the innumerable times when Grace was bestowed upon you.  Recognizing moments of Grace can fill your heart with Gratitude.  These messages of Grace step into our path when we need a hand or a piece of information—new knowledge, a lesson, or even an “aha” moment!  Be blessed with messages of Grace.