Putting the Serenity Prayer into Action!

The Serenity Prayer is often used in meeting rooms of various mutual aid societies. It can help remind us of what is ours to do and NOT to do:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen

So often we spend our lives spitting into the wind, trying to change things that we do not have the power, responsibility, or even wisdom to alter. It takes wisdom to figure out what is ours to do!

Many of us are burdened by our attachment to the past; others are so future focused they trip over today. But today is what we are given, with moments on most days that we can enjoy. Focused on the present, in order to be awake and alert, we grapple with the reality that days do come with hardships. Hardships are not avoidable. They offer a pathway to peace.

Acceptance and trust. Reasonable joy. Amen

Finding Sanctuary

“Sanctuary is finding a place to regain our bearings, reclaim our soul, heal our wounds and return to the world as a wounded healer. It’s not merely about finding shelter from the story - it’s about spiritual survival and the capacity to carry on.”

Parker Palmer

Today, I invite you to think about sanctuary.

What does it mean to you?

How might you find a place of sanctuary in your ordinary, every day, life?

I like to fantasize about finding sanctuary on a mountain top or beside a quiet lake - silent except for the cries of God’s creatures. It’s a nice fantasy.

But it is not “sanctuary.” That’s called vacation!

Lean into this idea that sanctuary needs to be an integral part of daily life.

What needs to change for you to have it?

Exploring The Lord's Prayer

One of the things I cherish about my decades in a traditional church were the rituals. Granted, baptists don’t have many of them! The Lord’s Prayer was an often spoken prayer when we gathered to worship. I cannot fully appreciate it without saying it out loud. Maybe try that!

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Most days my favorite part is AMEN. To utter an AMEN at the end of a prayer is to agree with the prayer. So be it. Your will not mine.

But it also offers a challenge.

It asks questions of the pray-er.

If we agree that our Father is hallowed (holy, consecrated, revered and honored) - how do I revere and honor him?

If we agree that it is a good thing for the kingdom of God to invade earth, how do I participate in bringing love and grace and mercy to ALL PEOPLE?

If we agree that our source of nourishment comes from God, why do I often set him aside in pursuit of my own strategy for getting my needs/wants met?

If we agree that we are tempted, vulnerable to evil, how do I pursue holiness and repentance?

If we agree that he is powerful, glorious, king of kings - who do I worship him?

Some days this prayer takes me days to get through. It should probably take longer. A ritual is a beautiful thing; it unites us as a “we.” When it becomes a rote prayer - mechanical, habitual - we may be missing its call to us to wake up and attend to our heavenly Father’s ways. May WE unite together in this prayer today.

An Introduction to Box Breathing

We all need a go-to technique to help us when we cannot breathe. Box breathing is a simple technique that we can practice anywhere. Also known as tactical breathing, it is a technique taught to snipers. Yikes! I use it more for when I am feeling like I am in the crosshairs of someone else’s weapon - but whatever your needs, this may help.

We start by sitting with our back supported in a comfortable position and our feet grounded on the floor. We close our eyes. We breathe through our nose while counting to four slowly. We feel the air as it enters our lungs.

We hold our breath four the count of four. Avoid inhaling or exhaling for 4 seconds without clamping down your mouth or nose. Gentle does it.

Exhale slowly for 4 seconds.

Hold the exhale for four seconds.

Repeat, inhale for 4, hold for 4 seconds, exhale to the count of 4, hold the exhale for 4.

Do this three or four times for most effect.

These tips and more can be found at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321805.php

Gentle and Humble

In my quiet time, if I make it past the first sentence, which is not all that often to tell you the truth...there is more food for my soul.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

We are resting, with purpose. It’s a thing! We rest because there is more to consider.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…

As I rest, I can learn. I have things that need learning. I am not in charge. But that’s more than ok, because Jesus has promised to walk beside me, yoked. The image is interesting. I close my eyes and imagine it. Jesus is the lead and properly yoked I can stay in alignment with him. I assume this means that days when I decide to be stubborn and stand my ground, Jesus might continue to walk and I will need to follow. The yoke provides me necessary limits - a safety measure for my stubborn tendencies to drift off course.

...for I am gentle and humble in heart…

Wherever he leads, whatever he teaches, it comes from a place of gentleness and humility. Yoked to him, this will need to be my value proposition too. Ok, I breathe. I can follow this way.

...and you will find rest for your souls.

Often my body is screaming so loud for what it wants, my soul’s quiet longing for what I truly need is drowned out. No matter what else I will learn from this God/Man, it will include rest for my soul. My tight chest loosens. My breath slows. My spirit calms.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Baby, you will never be asked to do the heavy lifting. That is a Jesus thing. May you find rest for your soul today; may your body cooperate with this refreshment!