This season of Lent, I am focusing on the monastic practice of seven daily pauses. Each week, I offer you a poem and piece of gradually changing art for each pause. Last week, we rested at the Awakening Hour (6am). This week, we break at 9am, the Blessing Hour. A wonderful book greatly aiding me through this series is Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr.
For a long time,
I had my head down,
my hands busy,
going about my business.
I have Work to do.
Serious Work (capital W).
Meetings.
Important Meetings (capital M).
Ugh! If only I could catch up.
But, one day,
I caught myself. Yes,
I noticed
this head down approach,
hands closed
getting to where I was going,
grinding away at my business,
very serious business,
checking items off my list.
I knew there was something
else.
But—
Who am I
to take this day
and squeeze
the succulence
from it?
An interesting thing happens when you are brave enough to ask questions.
Slowly, like
fog lifting off a lake,
I remembered.
I remembered
my lineage
back to
a good God,
a God of love
a God of relationship
a God of Sabbath, yes
a God of
(pause).
So, I began to rest.
Yes, rest.
Right there.
At 9am.
When the day has only just begun.
I wondered,
What will this day bring?
What surprise is on its way?
What magic will happen?
I looked up and noticed
this day made of
clean water and foaming soap,
warm coffee with frothed milk,
“good mornings” and squishy hugs.
I opened my hands
and welcomed the blessings
this hour brings —
a soft lit sun,
sleepy dog,
happy text from H,
red cardinal
outside my window.
My checklist became a little
less important to complete.
Meetings were held
a bit lighter, brighter.
I picked up my pen.
Wrote a story.
Grabbed my paintbrush.
Made a stroke.
I proclaimed
this pixie dust hour
good.
Very good.
Deep breath.
Unexpected smile.
Total revelation.
Related Post:
Beautiful, just like you😘
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Thank you for helping me think!
That’s reall spectacular!
Just LOVELY! Ahhhhh! 🌺
So refreshing!❤️
yes, we worship a God of abundance…hands open, palms up. Show me Lord.
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