It’s Monday again … which means another opportunity to chase wonder together through our weekly discussion.
Here’s the question: This week, I’m drawing from Jen Pollock Michel’s discussion question from Day 1 of A Habit Called Faith. What is one practical way you cultivate the habit of listening to God in your life?
By the way, if you are reading along with us in the Summer Reading Club, don’t forget to start your reading today!
I use the practice of yoga, with the quiet and the breathing, it is my way to listen to God. I don't do yoga each day and that is something I am working on, to increase my practices.
I read A Habit Called Faith during Lent earlier this years, and I usually don't re-read a book this soon, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to read it again and discuss it here. I'm most likely in a different life season from most of your readers, Charity. My husband and I are retired, and both chronic and current health issues have slowed our comings and going this past year....so finding time to read and study and wonder isn't a challenge. I'm incredibly grateful that I've also been able to establish solid faith habits over the years that have carried me and kept me grounded when life around me was hard and overwhelming. That said, Jen offers a different perspective on faith habits that I appreciate, and I love the way she weaves testimonies throughout the daily readings. BUT that doesn't answer the question. My first reading through HCF I couldn't answer that question. I couldn't see how I could listen more than I do, but as I read Day 1 this time, it occurred to me that I need to ask God more questions and anticipate an answer - even if the answer is "that's not for you to understand."
Through nature. Like the hummingbird that floated right up to me, or the 2 herons that flew a circle around me, then flew away during a walk on a particularly bad day. I tried to start silent meditation, which lasted about 5 minutes due to my busy brain, so I will continue to work on the silent meditation!
If I can read the assigned scripture on my daily Jesuit reading app it makes such a difference. Offering God a chance to make himself heard above and before the captivating distraction of “the scroll!!”
What a good question...I'm usually more intent on 'doing' than listening...reading, praying, refecting, rather than listening. I do concentrate on expectation--seeing where God is showing up in my life with connections or encouragement s. I think I'll add a couple minutes of silence after my reading in these this next week's. Thanks!
For me, it is nature….I see God and all his wonder in nature. Recently, while staying with my dear aunt that is going through chemo, we were sitting on her porch enjoying the beautiful weather. We noticed a momma bird feeding her babies in a nest right in front of us in a tree. (Literally 10 feet from us) we watched her fly away and come back with food and boy did they want it:) the next day, all three babies were out of the nest on different limbs and we watched the momma teach them to fly. All the while come back abs giving them snacks and chirping what we thought were words of encouragement. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen. The next morning, we were leaving for her to get a blood transfusion, and one of the babies were perched on the rim of the screen in the front door. Just there peeking in, as if to say good morning…you are loved. Life is hard! It just is! But when I am consciously seeking his wonder, the beauty of nature never disappoints.
Making time with God my highest priority
I use the practice of yoga, with the quiet and the breathing, it is my way to listen to God. I don't do yoga each day and that is something I am working on, to increase my practices.
I read A Habit Called Faith during Lent earlier this years, and I usually don't re-read a book this soon, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to read it again and discuss it here. I'm most likely in a different life season from most of your readers, Charity. My husband and I are retired, and both chronic and current health issues have slowed our comings and going this past year....so finding time to read and study and wonder isn't a challenge. I'm incredibly grateful that I've also been able to establish solid faith habits over the years that have carried me and kept me grounded when life around me was hard and overwhelming. That said, Jen offers a different perspective on faith habits that I appreciate, and I love the way she weaves testimonies throughout the daily readings. BUT that doesn't answer the question. My first reading through HCF I couldn't answer that question. I couldn't see how I could listen more than I do, but as I read Day 1 this time, it occurred to me that I need to ask God more questions and anticipate an answer - even if the answer is "that's not for you to understand."
Through nature. Like the hummingbird that floated right up to me, or the 2 herons that flew a circle around me, then flew away during a walk on a particularly bad day. I tried to start silent meditation, which lasted about 5 minutes due to my busy brain, so I will continue to work on the silent meditation!
If I can read the assigned scripture on my daily Jesuit reading app it makes such a difference. Offering God a chance to make himself heard above and before the captivating distraction of “the scroll!!”
What a good question...I'm usually more intent on 'doing' than listening...reading, praying, refecting, rather than listening. I do concentrate on expectation--seeing where God is showing up in my life with connections or encouragement s. I think I'll add a couple minutes of silence after my reading in these this next week's. Thanks!
For me, it is nature….I see God and all his wonder in nature. Recently, while staying with my dear aunt that is going through chemo, we were sitting on her porch enjoying the beautiful weather. We noticed a momma bird feeding her babies in a nest right in front of us in a tree. (Literally 10 feet from us) we watched her fly away and come back with food and boy did they want it:) the next day, all three babies were out of the nest on different limbs and we watched the momma teach them to fly. All the while come back abs giving them snacks and chirping what we thought were words of encouragement. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen. The next morning, we were leaving for her to get a blood transfusion, and one of the babies were perched on the rim of the screen in the front door. Just there peeking in, as if to say good morning…you are loved. Life is hard! It just is! But when I am consciously seeking his wonder, the beauty of nature never disappoints.
mindful awareness