Where's the fire?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

This morning as I was getting ready for my day, I realized I was literally "scrubbing" my face cream into my skin, in vicious circles - as I was thinking about my to-do list. I caught myself. And thought, "Would one minute of gentle massage of my favorite scented cream really throw off my whole day?" So I slowed down. Smoothing my orange vanilla goat milk cream across my forehead, my temples, under my eyes, my cheeks. And gently down my throat. Oh, what a moment of complete serenity. Instead of heart-racing, rattling thoughts about what needs to get done, I enjoyed a moment of soulfully preparing for the day. Calm. Cool. Collected. Where's the fire, indeed!

Perhaps we can all learn from this. A reminder that a moment of prayer can do the same thing. Let His words, like oil, run down your face (and into your beard! - as it did for Aaron in Psalm 133:2). Will a moment or two of prayer really throw your whole day's schedule off? Or will it gather you up in a hug of calm, cool and collectedness? Where's the fire?

The fire should be in our approach to our days. The fire should be in our health, mentally and spiritually - our very heart. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Like the to-do list, sometimes our thinking about prayer seems to include everything all at once. I don't have time to thank God for everything, and prayer for everyone I know in need. And my own set of worries on top of all that.

But for a moment, thank God for a few things.
In a different moment, prayer over someone who comes to mind.
Later, let God know your personal concerns.

Pray at all times, and in all circumstances... Make your life a prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Talk to God in moments.
Take a moment... and see how refreshed you will be.

Where's your fire?

Let the sun shine in

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Started off today with some anxious thoughts. How easily they can come sometimes, right? But I stick with my usual routine and walk up to the post office at 10:00. It seemed a little gray outside but I grabbed my sunglasses anyway - in case it decides to show its face while I'm out.

Walking along, still anxious thoughts bombarding me. I recently started following some yoga on YouTube. So I told myself to just concentrate on my breathing. Then I told myself over and over, "I'm fine. Everything right now is fine. Right now, all I need to be concerned about is that I'm walking. And breathing."

And I noticed through the big window at the restaurant people eating and having coffee and chatting away. The gentleman next door was watering the flower box in front of the barber shop. Someone else walking their dog. And yes, the sun came out. Peaceful. Just simply - peaceful.

It is well... with my soul... the sweet refrain washes over me again and again. Where did that come from?

It's very easy, too easy, to stay and feed those more unsettling thoughts. I've done it too many times. But today, today I sought out something else. Something more. And it came. It came.

The sun. The Son.

Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

If we desire, seek, expect the Son, will He come? Give it a try.