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The Call to Prayer
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Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below;
praise Him above, you heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Doxology
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The Request for
Presence
Send
out Your light and Your truth that they may lead me, and bring me to Your
holy hill and to Your dwelling; That I may go to the altar of God, to the God
of my joy and gladness. Psalm
43:3-4
There are four appointments scratched on the
calendar this week and two evening meetings slotted and all six kids have
swimming lessons and there are piano recitals and exams looming at week’s end
and . . .and days flood torrential–but full attention slows the current.
Don’t I always have the choice to be fully attentive? Simplicity is
ultimately a matter of focus. Eucharisteo,
eucharisteo. That keeps the focus simple sacred. Ann Voskamp, 1000
Gifts
My little
scratched-upon calendar is also full and overflowing and double-booked. Of so
many good and delicious things. But I gulp my food, certainly not chewing
properly with due attention.
And momma spends a
lot of time preparing Family Dinner. A creamy rice with sautéed mushrooms and
vegetables. Both pumpkin bread and rustic loaf. Pork loin with a lovely
seeded sauce. A dark green salad with homemade croutons. A splendid apple pie
at the end. And just for me, my favorite chutney, chopped pears and raisins
and ginger and oh-so-many spices.
And last night I
sort of left in a messy clutter leaving behind, unstacked dishes and a
crumb-covered tablecloth. And fifty snack bags of chocolate cookies for the
refugee tutoring Center.
And I didn’t even really pause by the fire waiting for me at
home, the sparkly lights and crackling warmth. And mull over the stories of
lives changed through intentional mentoring over the long haul.
And really, if you think of it as a good and delicious gift, ten
hours a day with aching thirteen-year-olds longing to be noticed, really
seen, pleads to be savored as well, and not merely endured.
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In His embrace, time loses all sense of speed and stress and space
and stands so still and holy. -Voskamp
May
I slow down and look today. Make the moment, His great gift, last.
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