And yet another month draws to an end.   We are fickle creatures, one minute counting the minutes impatiently (places to go and things to do) and at another moment we are wondering where those minutes went (partially because we have more places to go and more things to do).   In the midst of that busyness, I find it important to be deliberate about remembering to breathe!   It happens automatically, but it is still good to slow down and remember, with gratitude the basics of life.

 

That is part of what vacations are for. We vacate the normal part of our life to make a change of pace, perhaps a change of scenery, and center ourselves again. Becky and I will be taking some vacation in August, heading up behind the Redwood Curtain to enjoy the northern coast of California and spend time amongst the trees to refresh.

 

In the midst of planning the vacation, I am aware of the need to maintain the rhythms of life on a daily basis, to take time of gratitude and prayer daily, rather than waiting for vacation. The rhythm of the daily morning and evening prayer, with the psalms and scripture reading is one way to slow down and reflect amidst the chaos of our lives.   Maintaining other prayer practices, alone or with others, is also helpful.   Many already engage in Centering Prayer with others.   I am looking forward to the centering aspects of painting icons this month, both here at Trinity and up in Grass Valley.   The process is prayerful and centering for me as well. Others need to walk, either in nature, or in a Buddhist walking meditation, or in a labyrinth. These are all prayer practices that help balance us out.   I encourage us all to look at both the practices that we know that feed us. But I also encourage us to look at practices that challenge us in some way. The challenging practices may be feeding a part of us that needs attention and help us to be more present to God and one another.

 

As I write this note, we are preparing for the funeral of Gerry Moore, who has been so present to this church and community over the years. I am sure that the "Gerry stories" will be told for many years to come - and I have only begun to hear them. In my experiences with Gerry, he represented much of the balance for which I strive. He had wrestled with, and determined the important things in life for him, his family, and his relationship with God.   Being present to God, he was present to others around him.   He was a model for one of the most basic teachings within the Cursillo weekends "Make a friend, be a friend, lead a friend (closer) to Christ".   Well done, good and faithful servant. You will be missed.