Floating: Slowly and Serenely

Lily pond at a friend’s house

Good Morning, God!

Such a lovely lazy day. I feel as if I am floating — like a lily pad upon the water. So many ongoing responsibilities of 2013 are now completed. My wonderful Mother is with You. My job renovating a library at a retirement residence is almost done. I have cataloging to tidy up . . . but all the collections of books fit . . . with room to grow.

This time — my third time to retire — it doesn’t feel like a transition so much as a familiar and cherished destination. I am beginning to appreciate rest.

Actually, God, You know that resting is HARD for me. I am truly a child of my time. Fast has been defined as fun. Slow has been lumped with tedious. Oh foolish foolish me!

This morning in chatting with June, my spiritual director, I thought of how I water my house plants with ice cubes. I do that because as the ice melts, the water is released slowly enough for the roots to absorb almost all of it. The same amount simply poured on the plant would quickly pass by the roots, providing almost no nourishment.

My first realization is 1) I am like my plants. As I sit in Centering Prayer I want to see myself slowly absorbing Your Love. The second realization is: 2) The part doing the absorbing is my Spiritual Being. I used to call it my Unconscious. But that label demeans its extent, its complexity and its importance. That seems self-evident now. But, it came as a shock when I heard myself say it this morning.

I am praying, God, that my Conscious Mind will continue to grow in respect and appreciation — for the Whole of me — and for the Whole of Your Creation.