Prayer is not telling God what to do, but becoming aware of just how intimately and immediately present God is to our world, to the ones we pray for and to ourselves.
Practising resurrection: an invitation
Practising resurrection: an invitation to enter into a way of life that leads to life. It is not about trying harder: it is not about achievement or success. These precepts are practical and practised ways of living in a grounded and real way, and they include the following ground-rules:
Is, not should: reminding us how deadening the “should” and “oughts” in our lives can be
Drawn, not driven: hinting at the authentic and gentle movement of the Spirit of God, rescuing us from the tyranny of our addictions and compulsions
Now, not then: moving us away from the grip of regret about the past and anxiety about the future
What, not why: helping us focus on the reality or the facts of life rather than being lost in the endlessness of the often futile question “why?”
Me, not you: allowing us to move away from competitiveness and defensiveness into the grace-filled responsibility of learning to live out of our truth.
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…Not only to know where you are but to learn to love what you find there.
Kathleen Norris
If, as you get in touch with your story, it seems messy, confused or painful, ask yourself how you would be if someone told you a similar story. It is highly likely that you would be empathetic and compassionate. So why not try it out on yourself?
How prepared are you to own up to the fact that sometimes (at least) the things which really annoy you in others are in fact characteristics you despise in yourself?
Give yourself room to breathe –
hear an invitation to come home to yourself –
be hospitable –
and become your own best friend.
For a printable PDF of the text of this meditation please click on the link below.
