“Be still and know that I am God” [Ps 46:10]
Tom McGrath and I have by no means abandoned our First Annual People For Others Blog-alogue, but we have put it on pause for the next week or so because Tom is doing something vastly more important. It says a lot about a man (and about the company that employs him. Sorry, couldn’t resist…) that he takes 8 days to go off on a silent retreat to reflect upon his life and his vocation as a publisher. Please join me in praying for Tom this week. I know that he will keep us all in his prayers (because I’ve already begged him to do so.)
How will the rest of us find a moment of “retreat” each day this week? Take ten deep breaths and give thanks to God? A reflective cup of coffee? Turn the radio off on the way home from work to just be with God for a while? If you want to do it, you’ll find a way.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Eric 05.18.09 at 8:25 am
I recommend using the imagination or daydreaming. Be at some beautiful place you know or create one. Go there in your imagination and find Jesus waiting there for you. Talk to him about whatever you are moved to share with him. Be sure to pause and let him respond.
Michelle 05.18.09 at 11:03 am
Coming as I am this spring from making the Long Retreat all of January into a semester of sabbatical leave I’ve been taking a cue from Ignatius’ advice in the Exercises to stop just for the length of an Our Father just before your place of prayer and to be aware of God’s loving gaze. So these days I’m stopping for a minute (I set a meditation timer!) each time I sit down at my desk to write. I recall what I am about, and contemplate how God is looking upon me as I work.
marg 05.19.09 at 7:32 am
I try to spend as much of the morning as I can without outside distract. (TV, radio, etc.) This started a year or two ago when I “fasted” from news and music in the morning during Lent.
Silence seems to work for me. I usually discuss my day, my concerns with God and just be in His presence.
M.
Paul 05.21.09 at 9:25 am
Eric, any time and any place where we can talk to Jesus is the perfect time and place. Eek. I’m beginning to sound like a cut rate guru!
Paul 05.21.09 at 9:27 am
Michelle, I love your idea of stopping for just a minute before taking up your writing. This practice is one of my favorite Ignatian things to do.
Paul 05.21.09 at 9:29 am
Marg, I wish I could be as dsiciplined as you are. I am too addicted to NPR to give myself a whole morning of silence…
Marg 05.22.09 at 4:15 am
Paul,
I am not so disciplined. The silence actually is a way to center myself for my day. As a “cube” worker with exposure to a large office, my usual day reminds me of the U2 album title “Rattle & Hum”.
The silence, as much as I can get , is almost necessary. The only time I am truly alone is when I prepare for work and during my commute. I need that focus, I need to listen and ask for grace for the day.
Just so you know, my love of classic rock gets to me some days and I have to put on my favorite station in the car, crank it up and sing my head off. Love it!
M.
Paul 05.25.09 at 8:06 am
Marg,
I, too, need silence in my life. Most people would describe me as extroverted [I think] because I am fairly gregarious, but unless I have several hours of down time a day I find myself getting what I call “peopled out” where I just can’t take being in public any more.
Paul
mary kujawa 10.03.09 at 7:17 am
for 34 years or more i get uo aroiund 3 a.m. to pray . at first it was my only quiet time with new baby twins on the way and a 5 year old wonderful son jimmy my helper and a 10 nyear old girl not so eager to help as her good natured li8ttle brother but i kept up the early rise prayer time, took care of 4 children and a mentally deranged husband viet nam vet and worked low paying jobs that early morning prayer time was a blessing from holy spirit