A DAILY RHYTHM REFLECTION
(January 6th)
Happy New Year!
This season brings us the opportunity to reflect over our top or most favorite memories from the past year and to set goals or intentions for the one to come. I enjoy this process and am thankful for the push to savor joyful memories and as well as to grieve, lament or loosen my grip on things that I hope to be different in the coming months.
It can be easy to just do this on my own, especially when I am trying to piece meal reflective space together with the constant presence of children, extended family and friends the holidays bring. But, I desire to invite God into those spaces more intentionally. So, as I pulled out my calendar and scrolled through my Instagram to remind myself of the comings and goings of 2019, I added the simple prayer, “God, show me where you are.”
At first, I felt like I was searching for diamonds in the rough or miraculous moments that I might forget, I was searching for the “Wow.” But, the more that I scrolled and pondered the more I heard the Lord saying, “I’m in ALL of it! Traci, every moment, I was there in the big and little things in the fun and hard things, in it all. And, I will be there every moment this year too.”
This comforting reassurance gives me pause and courage. It makes me pause because I know that I often approach my accomplishments and choices as if I am on my own. My pride, my impatience and my desire for control can keep me in a self-centered space that isn’t particularly helpful for my relationships. Lord, I confess that I often have blinders on when it comes to noticing you and others. Please help me open my eyes to your presence.
So, as Jesus is helping me to grow in the trust and belief that God was there in all of it, I begin to see more vibrantly. It’s like the pictures become focused in portrait mode and I see an alternate reality of presence, joy and comfort and I start to smile and even giggle about how God works. I gain courage because I know that whatever intentions or goals I have for the year to come, God will be with me as I pursue them. This exercise cultivated one of these intentions, I want to notice more of the reality of God’s presence in my daily life. Paige (my 6 year old) helped me pick the word “Openness” for 2020. I’m looking forward to being open to what God might bring.
How might your reflections or intentions give you an opportunity to pause and confess and/or courage and hope for the future?
With God’s help,
Traci
If you would like to learn more about our “Shared Rhythm” you can read about it online or pick up a set of our “Daily Rhythm Cards” at Church on Morgan.
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