You are welcome to Pause….. In writing my Advent blog on the subject of Holy Mystery, I found that it became a wonderful spiritual practice for me. To nearly every morning take the time to reflect on a scripture or poem, became a time for me to pause in what can be the busiest times for a woman, wife, mother who also is a church professional. And so I began to welcome the time I would pull up to the computer and write.
The other thing that happened is that several people talked to me about the opportunity that the blog provided for them to pause in their day, take a few minutes away from work or preparing for Christmas, and just walk away from the busyness. These same people asked, are you going to continue?
And so here I am. While I could try to follow the seasons of the church year(and might at times) reflecting upon the richness of those days, the overarching theme that keeps coming up is "Pause……a short period of inaction;temporary stop, break or rest; hesitation; a stop or break in speaking or reading which clarifies meaning; to dwell or linger." And so in these Monday through Friday writings, I’d like to make an offering….a pause in your day. A time to be inactive, rest, clarify, dwell or linger. I hope you will think of it as a gift.
Last night a friend reminded me of a short centering prayer that seems appropriate for a page entitled "Pause". And so I invite you, now or later, whenever you most need it, to get comfortable wherever you are. Taking the words from the Psalms "Be still and know that I am God." begin by breathing and as you inhale think the entire phrase(Be still and know that I am God), then exhale. As you inhale again, think the phrase but drop the last word. Continue until all the words are gone and only your breath remains.
Welcome to this Pause…….Namaste.