Shelter for now.

Whose refuge is this?

I have ducked in here, shelter from storm, and see others’ belongings. Someone occupied this space.

I am well protected but would not remain long. For another, it is the perfect home.

❖

If I ask you to take this cup from me, Lord, would you do it?

For now, let me accept shelter.

For now, let me accept even what I might wish for someone else.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I accept this refuge for now?

Reading:

“The ache for home lives in all of us.” — Maya Angelou

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“The measure of who we are is how we react to something that does not go our way.” — Gregg Popovich

❖

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42

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Growth cannot be rushed. (Sunday Letter)

I’ve been thinking about the power of waiting.

In a garden, growth arises out of patience. Each day a bit of nurturing, some weeding, but mostly: giving growing things the time they need.

❖

In my life, as with yoga, the most profound changes come from consistent effort.

I fold forward, tight. Bit by bit, day by day, I eventually touch my toes. I go further. One day I am resting my forehead on my knees. Bit by bit, slow by slow.

These days, when I am in my deepest forward fold, head to knees, I kiss each. I was told once that this is good luck. I do it as a reminder that I can. I do it as a reminder of the path I took to get here.

❖

Forcing my body, like forcing the garden, never works. A plant fed too much too soon shrivels. A body pushed too far too soon tears.

It is in the waiting, in the allowing, that transformation occurs.

❖

Waiting is not a passive retreat from action. It takes effort, more than power-driving. It is a choice to trust in growth.

If I can embrace patience, life’s natural energy will bring about the most powerful change.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I embrace patience today?

Reading:

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

❖

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

Audrey Hepburn

❖

“Let patience have her perfect work.”

James 1:4 (KJV)

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Winding into myself.

There is a great road along which I seek: it goes not away and up but within and down.

Deep inside me, Lord, there you are. If I see you in the beauty of the fields, of the forests, in the faces of my fellows, are you not there too?

❖

I see you in the world because I see within reflected without.

Let me seek you deep inside my heart.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I attend more carefully to my inner relationship with you?

Reading:

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” — Lao Tzu

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“The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.” — Blaise Pascal

❖

“The kingdom of God is within you.” — Luke 17:21

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Ready to run.

Heart races, ready to run. Sun already warm, even at dawn.

I am the thoroughbred at the starting gate. The runner in the blocks.

❖

Will you run with me, Lord? In the trails, will you guide me? Will you sweep aside stones lest I turn my ankle?

Thinking about what is to come, heart already racing, let me already give thanks for noon.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I recognize the eagerness in my trembling?

Reading:

“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” — Henry David Thoreau

❖

“Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say.” — Alice Walker

❖

“He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.” — Psalm 18:33 (KJV)

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