"Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do. " Edwin Hatch 1878

Yesterday I spent my day getting through the lists….to-do…..to-call…..to-write….to-pay…..to-cancel…..
to-email…to-find…. to-wash…to-buy.  So many ‘to’s"! I admit I did make some headway in it all but I did not finish. It seems these days, I never finish all that needs to be done, should be done, could be done. Do you ever feel like that?

I guess the reality in some people’s lives is that there will always be more to do than is possible. I am also aware of all those who long for something, anything, to do…meaningful work that will not only fulfill their deepest longings but also pay their bills. It is a curious world. Those with too much to do, those with too little.

But yesterday, late in the afternoon, I decided that it was time for me to stop, to say "enough!". It was clear that I would never really accomplish everything, my mind was no longer behaving in a creative way, and I simply needed to take a "breather." What was not finished would have to wait till tomorrow. I needed to take a walk, get outside in the beautiful sunshine, clear my mind, connect with my own breath.

"When we breath, we do not stop inhaling because we have taken in all the oxygen we will ever need, but because we have all the oxygen we need for this breath. Then we exhale, release carbon dioxide, and make room for more oxygen." writes Wayne Mueller. "Sabbath, like the breath, allows us to imagine we have done enough work for this day."

I didn’t consciously think about the break I took as Sabbath. But as I look back on the moment when I said "Enough!" that was what I was doing. I was declaring with my body, with my breath, that for now, it was enough to simply be, to simply breathe, to allow the Breath of God to blow over me.

Mueller continues:"When we stop, we see that the world continues without us;sweet humility and gentle mindfulness bequeath the grace to stop, and see that it is good, there is no need to keep pushing. When we stop, with no chores or agendas, we let our eyes rest, our bodies heal, our activities languish, and taste the fruits of our labor."

So, today my prayer for you is that you create some Sabbath moments for yourself. Perhaps it is time to say "Enough!" and to take some time to ‘languish’.….just saying the word can make us feel better. Turn off the computer, power down the phone, put on your walking shoes, and head out. The world is waiting for you!

"Breathe on me Breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine."