Breathing in this moment

 

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Breathe in the presence of God here…breathe out the sense that you must strive or prove yourself to God. 

Breathe in the joy of God tasted in the lingering chocolate fun size candy from Monday… breathe out the tension and stress and strain.

Breathe in the warmth of God who comes to us in burning bush moments…breathe out this sense that you’ve got to have it all figured out right now, this minute.

 

On this day God has made, we enter with prayers for all that is running through our minds and sitting in our souls.  We pray for family and friends ~ those who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and plans for Thanksgiving.  We pray for those we know who are dealing with difficult situations, tension, unresolved medical issues, mental illness, grief, and uncertainty.  We pray for our country as we come up on election day, how much of life is seen through winning and losing and power; how so few of our leaders talk about love and unity and peace.  How frustrated we can be that God doesn’t just swoop in and save the day, but keeps sending us people like Moses and Miriam to lead us as we wander in the wilderness.  The more the stories change, the more our life echoes the ancient truths that have been around for centuries.  Help us, in these Exodus days, O God, embrace Your call…get caught up in Your liberating love..that we might be a light in ways that illuminate rather than throws shade and criticism and cynicism around.  You call us to be love because You call each of us beloved.  Let that truth disrupt our lives and challenge us in good ways.  Amen.

 

I leave you today with one of my favorite quotes from Susan David: Discomfort is the price for a meaningful life.  May you be discomforted in meaningful, life-giving, and life-changing ways in these November days.