Savor the New Year One Moment at a Time -- Selah

When I was a little girl, I loved to go to my grandma's house. She would let me roam her house creating imaginary worlds with the help of her high heels and costume jewelry. She loved to prepare me my favorite foods -- her homemade mac 'n cheese was amazing! And she always sang me to sleep with her lullabies long past the age when I thought I needed them. Most of all, she seemed to treasure the laughter, the hugs, and even the messes.

I had not thought about her home for years. My Mimi passed away over 20 years ago. But the other night, my family was driving back home after visiting relatives. As we came over the pass in the dark of night, we drove down the Conejo Grade into the valley sparkling with lights from all who lived in the many cities and towns below.

In the quiet car, I enjoyed the view of twinkling lights below and felt a familiar feeling of simple joy. I then remembered my Mimi's house. 

I was a little girl again nestled behind a chair in her living room and looking out the bay window as the sun set over San Francisco East Bay. I loved to sit and watch the sun paint the sky ablaze with color before it rested for the night. I would then sit quietly and wait for the sky to go dark and the cityscape to become a spectacular display of twinkling lights. Even as a young child I would sit still, not moving from my chosen spot, so as not miss a single drop of beauty.

I would linger there until I felt it was time to leave. I never seemed to rush or hurry up the moment. I sat poised in the quiet and enjoyed it completely.

Somewhere along the way, I learned to stop savoring the moment and all its beauty. I really don't know when or why. But the childlike wonder of enjoying a moment of beauty got pushed aside for hurrying on with life. I am learning to discover it again. 

For me, the simple act of savoring the moment is deeply connected to my own spiritual growth. When I am not present in my life, I am not present to God's presence in my life. 

Another name for savoring the moment is the spiritual practice of contemplation. When I first heard the phrase, I only pictured monks in monasteries sitting in gardens in silence. But I have since discovered that it is a spiritual practice that helps us enjoy God's presence in the midst of our day, especially for those of us who have busy lives far from the walls of a monastery! For me, contemplation is much like enjoying a sunset with someone you love. Sitting in silence together and enjoying its beauty. 

Contemplation kept my soul from freezing during the long winter of waiting for a baby to fill my empty arms. After years and years of praying for my heart's desire, I grew so tired of praying. And then I read, When the Soul Listen by Jan Johnson. For the first time in my life, I began to learn about how I could be quiet with God and simply enjoy His presence. I discovered that prayer could be so much more than talking. It is also listening. And it is even silence. Contemplation became a gift that showed me how to enjoy the silence and rest in God's loving presence.

 

That brief moment on the drive home this week was a reminder that I want to be more aware of God's presence in my life. And when I stop and savor the life he has given me, I am more able to enjoy His presence in it. 

Happy 2012!  Enjoy savoring it . . . one moment at a time!