Greetings,
When she needed to get away and figure things out, a ten year old girl would jump on her bike and ride a couple of kilometres to a favourite park and a favourite tree. Lying under the tree she would gaze through the leaves that filtered the glimmering sun; the depth of the blue sky was breathtaking. Lost in wonder and the sounds of Creation around; she would find herself drifting higher and higher into the sky. And then it would happen. The world and life around would give way to an experience of something more significant, something more powerful – a presence like none other.
A four year old boy – an only child – living in a remote rural area making his own fun, his own entertainment, would wander along the creek bed picking up stones, kicking in the dust, filling his pockets with small pieces of fencing wire, and chatting. He did not
feel alone, he was aware of someone or something accompanying him, and so he chatted on.
No matter who we might be, whether young or old, independent of our experience, there are times when we have all felt God’s presence. Even if we are not able to name it as God, we are aware that something special has taken place.
In this world where we are always moving fast, we all need to stop and take a breath, to remember to breathe, to pause and take time to bask in the wonder and mystery we call God.

In Psalm 145 (the psalm for this week’s lectionary) the psalmist’s words remind us how we can bring God into our everyday experiences and emotions. As we trust in God’s presence, and bask in the warmth of God, we connect with the true sense of ourselves.
May we all find some space where we can experience this connection during the next week and remind ourselves who we truly are.
Blessings – Rev Heather.

(Words in italics adapted from Seasons of the Spirit, Wood Lake Publishing Inc.)