MY SACRED SATURDAY MORNINGS

Our lives reveal what matters to us. They also show some of our history, the culmination of our experiences, how we processed them, and our conclusions about them. This is true about our spiritual lives as well. A stiff, stale, scripted spiritual walk lacks life. On the other hand, spiritual life that is growing demonstrates its liveliness. Are we growing as Christians? We might assess where in our inner selves we see change and deeper understanding of God’s truths and ways. The other day I was thinking along such lines when I asked myself what has been most important in changing up my spiritual life. The answer: My Saturday mornings.

My Saturday routine became essential to my spiritual development seventeen years ago. My life was busy as a teacher and farmer and single mom of five kiddos. It was necessary to block out the morning for extra meaningful without interruption time for serious spiritual contemplation. I’d make a cup of coffee, grab my bible, journal, pen, devotional or books, feed the wood stove, and start reading. About an hour into it, I’d take a break to make from scratch pancakes or waffles and maple syrup for the kids.

Once the kids were fed and the chores for the day dispensed, I’d dive into what I liked best. I’d spend the bulk of the morning in my sacred space on the corner of the couch. Like a starving soul, I soaked it up. Two to three hours or for as long as possible I read in my Bible, prayed, meditated on His word, and wrote a multitude of thoughts in my journal. It was hallowed time. O how I cherished those times of spiritual refreshment, rejuvenation, and renewal. I grew and grew and grew. God wrought changes in me as I sought Him as my teacher, healer, friend, and Lord.

Every week I looked forward to my time alone with God. As I look back on the many components to my healing, growing, and transformation, it is clear to me that my devotion to God came as a result of my seeking to know Him. I truly believe during that block of time for the deeper walk is part of why I grew in my faith journey. Open, honest, willing heart-felt communication with my heavenly Father made this ‘conversation’ authentic. The hours seemed like minutes, they flew by.

True, at the onset I hurt emotionally and that’s what caused me to seek heaven’s door. I knew I didn’t want the same old thing. I wanted to know God without a formulaic approach. I desired open, honest, straight talk. I asked God to penetrate the layers of my self-stuff, which He did over the months, bit by bit. That’s when my spiritual life became real, lively, and authentic; the pretense was confronted and then removed. Since then it has become a way of life with me. I hunger for the silences, my alone times with God, the place where relational intimacy develops and thrives. I’m retired from teaching which means I can pick any day of the week to have my sacred time alone with God. I’m thankful for this.

You don’t need to do it the way I did. Let God lead you ‘beside the still waters.’ Fill yourself with Him. Soak in His presence. Ask Him to be alive in you. Allow Him to cleanse you of your impurities to make you anew. Rest in His love. Hope in His peace. Let His beauty be seen in you. Let go and let God. Be blessed.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•