Friday, May 22, 2015

Dear God,

Balance.  Making space for equal parts.  Breathing evenly.  Balance.

My neighbor and I took a walk on the spiritual path.  He paused and took a breath.  Together we had stumbled upon the stone statue given to him by his beloved girlfriend who died suddenly a few months ago.  His sister had moved it to a picturesque knoll above the river.  The statue is a girl holding two small bowls evenly raised.  He asked me if I liked it in that location and I told him it was perfect.  I told him the girl reminded me how we have a choice to make demonstrated by the bowls she held.  Eric said he thought it was about balance.

The next few days I walked with the word "balance."  Balance, what would it mean for me to live with balance, I asked myself.  It was then I knew what I needed to do.  I signed up for a fitness program in the middle of the day.  Since I am prone to work hard in the woods for hours on end, I decided I needed to stop in the middle, ride my bike to the fitness center, participate in an aqua strength and stretch class, do yoga for an hour, and ride my bike back home.  One day I work on body conditioning equipment.  Three times a week.  In addition I decided I would call someone I love each day.  Yesterday I called Aunt Jodie and we talked for 34 minutes.

I realize how easily we can lose ourselves in our work or some other obsession.  We can get so focused that we miss the gentle reminders of faith.  We may miss your voice speaking or see a sign of your presence.  A call or challenge can totally pass us by if we are not alert and anticipatory.  Although the woods is one huge symbol of your presence, I know I can get so used to looking in the woods and fail to be open to finding you in places and spaces where you call.

Balance, Lord, thank you.

Gracious God,
giver of so many gifts,
thank you
for your
compassionate love.
Thank you
for my friend
who is
very sick,
yet, is
an instrument
of your grace.
Thank you
for the opportunity
for balance.

Love, Andrea