Thursday, October 6, 2011

StillPoint

Stepping out of the busy stream of my life and taking time to be in the moment, witnessing the gifts of the Creator and listening for the voice of the Spirit is such a blessing.  I was privileged to be invited to participate in the Day of Prayer at the Ritchie’s StillPoint Retreat on Sunday afternoon.  I read recently that the soul must know stillness before it can discover its true song.  My heart was truly singing after my afternoon sitting quietly watching the ripples on the lake, walking through the woods really looking at how the moss actually blooms in the fall, quietly laying down my troubles as I slowly walked the Labyrinth…each of these moments of stillness was accompanied by my awareness of how often I overlook the abundance of grace that God literally spills at our very feet if we just pay attention.  The Day of Prayer reminded me once again of the ever present outpouring of God’s grace all around me.  The Psalmist truly spoke the truth…”Be still and know that I am God.”

I was moved to write the following right after finishing my Labyrinth walk.

Filled to Spill

Fill me up with your grace and mercy
When I dip my bucket in the well.

To use the refreshing water of your spirit
to empty myself to the world.

Never wanting, never wanting
Even when empty always full

Fill my  bucket, spill my bucket
Splashing grace with abandon.

So much grace, so much love,
Plenty to lavish on all that I meet...
Plenty to lavish on all that I meet.

Tears of gratitude welling
that all that I am and all that I have
Is more than enough
To do all I can do, be all I can be.

Bless each of my actions
That flow from the outpouring of grace.

Empty me so I may be filled again.
Fill me so I may empty myself
To the Great I Am
Whose current runs deep and well never dries.

Oct.  2, 2011
StillPoint Retreat