July 24, 2023

          Lift-up your eyes.  Look and see.  If you see a mountain, let your gaze tarry there, holding the mountain, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  If you see an ocean, let your gaze tarry there, holding the ocean, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  If you see a field of waving grain, let your gaze tarry there, holding the field, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  If you see a path, making its way into a forest, let your gaze tarry there, holding the path, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  If you see family and friends, let your gaze tarry there, holding the sight of them, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  If you see a sunset, or a sunrise, let your gaze tarry there, holding the brilliant light, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.  You are in the midst of the beauty.  You are part of the beauty.  You are the beauty.  So, let your gaze tarry there, with you, and all around you, no matter where you might be, holding the precious present, breathing it into your soul, and then, sing of the beauty.

And The Holy Spirit says:

           Stand in the rain.  Look and see.  Watch as it washes the dust and debris from all which is surrounding thee, and remember, the rain is also washing thee.  Feel it touch your hair, your skin, and know, in the cleansing rain, you are refreshed and renewed, just as all surrounding thee.  The rain does not select which leaf, or branch, of the tree, it will touch.  The rain falls upon all, washing all, cleansing all, including thee.