Just Breath

Well it is hard to believe that two weeks are almost up. As you know the first two weeks I spent with Harley at the beach. It was wonderful and together we made some cherished memories.

This journey of Sabbath as you know was for me to Find God's Grace in my everyday life. And it is harder than I thought it would be. Because it takes practice. I am working with a spiritual director who asked me some difficult questions. One main question was "What is the deepest desire in your relationship with God?" That's a hard question and I had to ponder it a while.

I realized that there are times in my life that I feel God's Spirit not only around me but in me. The relationship between God and me is the core and everything else matters less. During this time, even when things don't go as plan I have a deep sense of peace. Yet often because of my busy schedule and my own laziness I forget to focus on that relationship. Instead I worry about the other things. There seems to be so much to get done and I have to hurry. I am always in a hurry.

Harley has probably heard me say lets go we need to hurry at least 1000 time since he has moved in with me. We always seem to be in a rush. And when I hurry I lose focus on my relationship with God. I try to fit God into my busy schedule but most times God loses to other things. The other day at the beach Harley said "Don't we need to hurry? We are going to be late!" He too has already learned about being in a hurry. I am sure most of you can relate.

I remember in a movie remake of Cinderella called Ever After starring Drew Barrymore. There is a point in the movie when she is going to enter the Ball. She just stands there before she enters trying to get control of herself. She holds her hands around her stomach and whispers "Just Breath." Taking this breath calms her down and gives her the courage she needs.

Breathing is important. It is essential to life. In the Beginning God breathed life into humans. his very breath is in us. Have you ever been so busy that you say to yourself just breath. Do it now. Take a deep breath and let it out. It is amazing the tension just seems to oozes away. During this journey I am going to offer some suggestions that will help you and me to just breath and spend sometime with God.

I am going to do this exercise in just a little while and I hope you will too.

Peace to you!
Kristi


Just Breath Exercise
Take just a few minutes and sit down.
Take a deep breath and release.
Do this a few times.
Then just clear your mind.
And just sit in God's presence.

God's Amazing Grace

Yesterday I was blessed to go to church and worship. No pressure of things that needed to done, things to check on or people to see. It was just God and me.
In fact I went to the drive-in church at Daytona Beach. (Harley and my nephew Josh slept in.)What a different feeling having church in your own car. Yet my windows were down, I could feel a soft breeze and I could hear the people around me singing in their own cars. I was filled with God 's spirit. The church field was packed and the week before they had over 50o in attendance for two services . I guess God's church can come in many faces.

This past week at the beach has been such a blessing for me. Because of Harley I have met a variety of people from a variety of places. One little girl, I call Gabby touched my heart. She was 10 years old and she had Downs. She had a smile on her face that could light up any room. Her younger sister told me that she danced, did gymnastics, and was a cheerleading, but her sister couldn't do anything because she was special needs. Gabby did not understand that she was special needs. Instead she told me all her favorite shows, her favorite singer was Hannah Montana and that she loved all the shows on Disney and Nick. Gabby thought her life was great! I wish I saw my life as good all the time. She told me, I was her new friend and that she loved me. she touched my heart.

In my heart children with special needs teach us many things. The way they see the world, the way they love people, the way they can bring a smile to your face. Gabby taught me about God's Amazing Grace and love for all humankind.

Take a moment to be with God. It is amazing what it does to your soul.

POEM
No place to go...

No place to go...
No place to run...
Spending sometime with God and his son.

Its been so long since we have spent sometime
just God and me in our prime.

I have been so busy that's my excuse.
My time with God, has not been used.

Yet now I am not in a rush.
I have some time to stop and hush.

No place to go...
No place to be...
Now there is time for God and me.

Time to listen, laugh, and cry.
with Jesus by my side.

It truly is amazing you know.

No place to go...
No place to run
Spending time with God and his son.

Peace,
Kristi

I am in a hurry!

As my sabbatical approaches I am in a hurry to get everything done that needs to be done.
There are so many loose ends that need to be completed before Monday. I hope I can get everything done including my sermon for this Sunday. It maybe a short one. Well keep me in your prayers. ~ Kristi