Received: 2023-12-09 01:26:39

Asking for prayers for my cousin Arnold, as he searches for a job in the field of his studies. He has been applying for a couple of months now and I can see how drained, numb he has become. I am praying for faith that God is going to do things in God's timing, as well as for resilience on Arnold's part that no matter how many rejections he has got in the past, he won't give up on going for the things he wants. thank you.

I want to read a poem to you called Blessing In The Chaos by Jan Richardson. And then following that, we’re actually just going to sit for a few minutes and gaze at some gorgeous nature; we’re just going to drink it in. 

We often fill this space with a lot of words and a lot of thoughts, and in that, sometimes we can miss the presence and beauty of God so often found more deeply in silence, in stillness, in the quiet spaces. We don’t want to miss that, today. 

To be clear – there’s nothing for you to do here, nothing to accomplish, in these moments. There’s no specific goal, you don’t need to “achieve” some special union experience. Just let your body, your soul, and your spirit take some deep breaths. Knowing that they probably need them. 

POEM | Blessing In The Chaos 

To all that is chaotic in you, let there come silence. 

Let there be a calming of the clamoring, a stilling of the voices that have laid their claim on you, that have made their home in you, 

that go with you even to the holy places but will not let you rest, will not let you hear your life with wholeness or feel the grace that fashioned you. 

Let what distracts you cease. Let what divides you cease. 

Let there come an end to what diminishes and demeans, and let depart all that keeps you in its cage. 

Let there be an opening into the quiet that lies beneath the chaos, where you find the peace you did not think possible and see what shimmers within the storm.

Contemplations
Blessing in the Chaos | Practicing Rest

Ready for what's next?

Reflection
Three Lies of Identity

In his book entitled, “Who Are We?” late author and priest Henri Nouwen describes three key lies of identity that can mess with our heads and create barriers to us experiencing the love of both God and community. He names these lies as: • I am what I have • I am what I do • I am what other people say or think of me 

Breath Prayer
Christmas Breath Prayer | Love Moves In

Close your eyes right now, and place your hand on your chest overtop of your heart for a minute. Can you feel it beating there? Proof that you’re alive. Proof that God loved the idea of you so much that he actually breathed you into existence. 

Reflection
Prayer of St. Patrick's

St. Patrick was a follower of Jesus hundreds of years ago and was known for many things, one of which being this prayer. These words, written so long ago, still ring true today. When you struggle to find the words, allow this prayer to become a reflection and connect with the presence of Christ all around you.