Short Spiritual Practices Day 18

Adapted from a resource by Rob Fennell, and used with permission
Day Eighteen
Focusing Thought
Today is our final day of reading and reflecting on these practices offered to us from Rob Fennell.  I hope you have enjoyed them, and have been inspired.  Perhaps you have become more aware of a deeper sense of God's spiritual presence with you.
It seems fitting that in our final day, we are reminded to embody God in our very actions and movements that we make.
As you do today's practice, think of all the ways that your relationship with the Divine have been deepened throughout the last two months of messages - and give thanks.

The Practice
Stand or sit with your arms stretched out from your sides.
Draw them slowly in front of you, keeping your arms straight.
With your arms in front of you, touch the five fingers of your left hand to the five fingers of your right hand.

Stay in that position for a moment to notice the goodness of how you are made: muscles, coordination, supporting bones, joints, skin.
Give thanks for the gifts of creation, and all its wonders and splendors - including you!

Now, separate your arms again and stretch them out to the sides with your palms up.
Draw them together again in front of you, and touch four fingers together.
Give thanks for your family, your friends, your community, and your church.
Take a moment to reflect on the gift of these people in your life.
Pray a blessing on them.

Do the same again - stretch out and bring together three fingers.
Give thanks for the Trinity: God the source of Love, Jesus love incarnate, and the Spirit as  love's power.
Take a moment in silent meditation and contemplation on the whirling wonder of love within the Trinity.  The three identities of God in eternal harmony and joy.
Into this we are invited, in love.

Do the same again - stretch out, then bring together two fingers.

Give thanks for your partner, spouse, significant other, or a good friend.
Give thanks for the intimacy of conversation, embraces, trust and silence.
Pray a blessing on this person.

Do the same again - stretch out and bring together your index fingers in front of you.

Give thanks to God for yourself: for who you are, and who you are becoming.
Give thanks for the joy of being God's child, adopted and loved within the family of God.
Give thanks for the gifts and abilities that you have.
Ask God's blessing on your life, and recommit to giving your best to this one and wonderful life.

Finally, drop your arms to your sides (or rest them in your lap).
Breathe deeply: five slow and nourishing breaths.
Give thanks.
Smile.

Peace, Rev. Gail

---