Every day, I spend a few minutes in the evening talking over the day with my partner. Every Saturday we go out for breakfast--just the two of us. We spend other times together, but these are "standing dates". These standing dates create the backbone of our 25 year relationship.
I have a standing date with God as well. Every morning and every evening I say the daily office and spend some time in contemplative prayer. Some days it is quick, others I can spend more time. Like my standing dates with my honey, my standing dates with God provides the backbone of my relationship with God.
Sometimes I am eager to run to my date with God. Other times it is a chore. Sometimes it is routine and I have to repeatedly re-focus my mind on what I am doing. For the last few months, I have found myself looking forward to these times, fleeing to them as a haven. I am in one of those periods in which God is pulling me into deeper and deeper contemplation. I respond with increased attention and committment. I find a profound peace in my dates with God these days.
However, there are other times when my dates are dry, or boring, or ho hum and I "couldn't get a fire going no matter how many times I re-arrange the logs" to quote Teresa of Avila. Those times make me all the more grateful for prayer that I am currently experiencing: deeply intoxicating and profoundly peaceful
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Thank you for the eloquent sharing which sets my heart on fire for our Beloved too...What kind of a group are you thinking of? I am new to the blogosphere and very intrigued by the concept.
ReplyDeleteLaura