Thank you to Holly for the opportunity to write and reflect and share my spiritual journey. Join us here! This series of posts is about our One Little Words for the year 2016 and how they will guide and impact our spiritual lives. Today we write about PRESENCE. This is Margaret Simon's word. Join us, please!
PRESENCE. I love this word. In such a busy life, I've been working on being in the moment, being present, without distractions. It's work to do this, but it's so worth it. I've disabled email on my phone. I walk away from the screens in the classroom when my students are there. They deserve my full attention. It's changed me.
In my spiritual life, PRESENCE or being PRESENT, is even more valuable. My mind races with to do list items to accomplish, so to turn that off while I pray is such a challenge. How do I do this? I try to write my prayers. This focuses me to be fully present with my attention fully on God. I am working on listening too. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10) I love that Psalm!
In my reading, I came across a beautiful quote about God's presence in my life. This is from Luci Swindoll's book, Doing Life Differently. Words of wisdom from her father as he said to her, " '...remember this- you are never alone wherever you are in life. God is with you. God will take care of you. Never be afraid to talk to God...' "
God is always PRESENT. It's me. I need to be open to His presence and listen...allow myself to hear God and be near Him.
I love this word. Thank you, Margaret for sharing your OLW with us today. I can't wait to see where it takes you!
In my spiritual life, PRESENCE or being PRESENT, is even more valuable. My mind races with to do list items to accomplish, so to turn that off while I pray is such a challenge. How do I do this? I try to write my prayers. This focuses me to be fully present with my attention fully on God. I am working on listening too. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10) I love that Psalm!
In my reading, I came across a beautiful quote about God's presence in my life. This is from Luci Swindoll's book, Doing Life Differently. Words of wisdom from her father as he said to her, " '...remember this- you are never alone wherever you are in life. God is with you. God will take care of you. Never be afraid to talk to God...' "
God is always PRESENT. It's me. I need to be open to His presence and listen...allow myself to hear God and be near Him.
I love this word. Thank you, Margaret for sharing your OLW with us today. I can't wait to see where it takes you!
Michelle, thank you for the allowing me a moment of reflection and prayer before going off to my catscan. I shall linger in the Psalm and wisdom from the book you quoted. As I slide through the machine, I will believe and be present.
ReplyDeleteI love that Psalm, too! You're right - God is always present. It's up to us to let His presence fill us. I love your commitment to being present while in the classroom and praying.
ReplyDelete"Be still and know" should guide our prayers. It's all about showing up, isn't it. God is always present. We're the ones who need to get out of the way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today. Hope you have an awesome day of presence.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift to your students -- and to yourself -- to walk away from that screen. That's what I am learning... being present is a gift not just to the other person, but to ME. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe have very similar thoughts today - even the verse which is one of my favorites. I know this is something I need to work on!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post - I'm interested in some of the steps you've taken to be more present. Being fully present with our attention fully on God during our prayer time - what a challenge. I too love "Be still and Know that I am God." When we are still, we become present - interesting connection.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Interesting how opening up is an important step to allow presence. We have to open up to it and find ways to bring it into our busy existence.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I love the way you've slowed yourself down to pray and listen. What I've started doing when I pray is (and this might sound weird, but it works for me) set a timer. And then for the set amount of time, I just focus on prayer. Somehow that timer frees me up to pray and not get distracted by other things.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I love the way you focused on focusing on THE moment. This is a powerful piece that challenges nme to follow your path.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I love the way you focused on focusing on THE moment. This is a powerful piece that challenges nme to follow your path.
ReplyDeleteGod is always with us. I love this word. Thank you for blessing us today.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, it gets harder and harder to walk away from those screens. In my classroom so much of our curriculum involves using technology. I enjoyed teaching much more in the old days. I'm with you in trying harder to be more present in both my personal and teaching life. Thank you for reminding me to step away from the screen more often. : )
ReplyDeleteIf we truly remember that God is always with us, it should severely and positively impact the way we act, talk and live. Do we really want God with us when we watch that movie?
ReplyDeleteI loved your post - I have "Be still and know that I am God" on my wall. It is a favorite.