“When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash–at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the ‘newness,’ the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance.”
~Thomas Merton

Everyday I receive an email called Inward/Outward that has a short poem or saying to inspire my day. Sometimes I take the time to read them. Other days I find myself so caught up in the messages that demand my time and attention, that require me to do something, that I let them roll by and I catch up with them at a different time. I find that in receiving these emails, I want to be able to spend time with them, not just a quick glance while moving on to the next thing. This ends in my allowing a few to wait for a time when I can savor the words and intention of the words.

This is what happened with this quote from the works of Thomas Merton. It arrived several days ago but I just got around to being able to sit with the words this morning. While reading them I smiled. I also had the strong sense of my feet growing, getting wider, grounding me in one of the eternal lessons of the Universe. This connection with the wisdom of all Creation and our Creator, is one I long to have more often than I do. Those often tiny moments that remind me of how I am held, entwined with and actually find my identity in the cosmic dance, are longed for experiences. They are ‘wake up’ moments.

Since Advent is the season of being awake to how God is being birthed in the world, I was captured by the gift of these words. On the first Sunday of Advent, this season of the Christian year which moves us ever closer to Christmas, we heard the prophet’s words: “Stay awake!” I have been about the business of doing this over the past days. It is powerful and rewarding work if you stick to it.

Yesterday I had the privilege of gathering with many of the United Methodist clergy women that serve in various capacities in the Twin Cities area. In our introductions to one another we answered the question: “How have you seen the Face of God over these Advent days?” It was a rich time of sharing story, of being witness to this cosmic dance of which we are all a part, even when we don’t take the time or do not have the courage to be present to it. Stories were told that made us laugh and cry, that made us nod our heads in affirmation and shake our heads in disbelief. Through it all the palpable experience of the Spirit grew larger and larger in the room. We were all connecting once again to a lifeline of bringing to mind the movement of the Holy in our midst. It was a profound time.

Many times we are caught by the Spirit. Experiences we had nothing to do with show up in our lives and we are surprised by this Presence we had forgotten to notice. Other times we place ourselves and assemble the best possible ingredients for walking onto the dance floor with the Sacred. But the truth is it is happening all the time.If we are awake. If we choose to pay attention and remember to listen for the music and get moving, no matter how awkward or graceful our steps.

So, I will ask you the same question: How have you seen the Face of God over the last weeks? How have you handed your dance card to this Love that will not let you go, that wants to lead you in a waltz for all time? I invite you to reflect, remember and then tell someone or respond to this post so we all can allow their beauty to wash over us and ground us with big feet that will firmly plant us on this holy Earth.

Keep these stories pouring into a world so longing to be healed. A world so hoping to dance the cosmic dance.