Short Spiritual Practices - Day 8

Day Eight

Focusing Thought
I (Rev. Gail) am very blessed to be surrounded by woodland at our cottage .  I often go for a walk through them in the mornings or evenings, making sounds to scare off the bears!  Sometimes I admit that I take the intricate design of the forest for granted.  Rob Fennell reminds us that in this wide world it is often the small and unnoticed things that bring us great wonder.  Today, I invite you to reflect on how every little thing in the universe - even you and I - have a design and a purpose.

The Practice
Take some time today, or this week to have a walk in a forest.
Look around you carefully and intentionally notice the hidden purpose of each little thing.
Look at the forest floor, the bark of the trees, and the canopy above you - each has its purpose and role to play in the forest.
Find an evergreen seed cone (or any seed or leaf) and pick it up - turn it over slowly in your hands.
What do you notice about its texture and design?
What does it smell like?
Take it apart - lovingly and without hurry, noticing how each piece is part of a design.  Each piece plays its role in the seed's purpose of speaking new life.
Now remember:  each bit of you has its role in fulfilling your purpose.
You are wonderfully made!
Take a moment to give God thanks - with or without words - and reflect on what your purpose might be today!

Peace,
Rev. Gail
Adapted from a resource from Dr Rob Fennell, and used with permission

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