At the computer at work … and yet … stepping back for a moment of quiet … relfection … oneness, wholeness … separate … and yet not.
I read in a devotional book by Madeleine L’Engle today about the concentration of a small child at play … “analogous to the concentration of the artist of any discipline. In real play, which is real concentration, the child is not only outside time, he is outside himself. A child playing a game, building a sand castle, painting a pciture, is completely in what he is doing. His self-consciousness is gone; his consciousness is wholly focused outside himself.”
Being outside self, outside time, centered in God-space, God-time … absorbing inward his breath … expressively relating inwardly to his presence … and outwardly, reflecting who he is … his glory, his peace, his love.
Mary Oliver, the poet says …
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation
nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
Let this be my prayer … God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. ~Psalm 131:1-2
Very calming reflection today. I enjoyed this.
Bonnie