In my reading this morning, I came across these words, “When the Spirit of truth comes, [s]he will guide you into all the truth…” These words have special meaning to me.
1. Each day I pray for guidance. How does the guidance come? In many forms. Compassionate acts are given and received. A spark of recognition of the holy shows itself. Suddenly I discover that I was led to someone or something, and that without thinking about it, I was present.
2. I haven’t had a breath prayer for awhile, but today I have this one, “Spirit of Truth, guide me.” As I breathe deeply of the gift of life, on the in-breath are the words “Spirit of Truth,” and on the out-breath, I pray “guide me.” My breath prayer will come to me throughout the day, helping me to be present.
3. I need guidance. I can become distracted with stuff. I might become caught up in consumerism. I might lose track of what needs to be attended to this day. I might not be present to the moment. I might not be open to what my Beloved Creator wants me to notice.
4. Guidance leads me to volunteer. Twice a week for two hours each day, I listen to Native American children read. Guidance leads me to knit for peace. I knit sweaters, mittens, socks for Afghan children. They need thick warm garments to keep them warm during their bitterly cold winters.
5. Guidance leads me to recognize my gifts and to use them. I have gifts to write – to lead spiritual retreats, and to be a caring presence. Am I free to use these gifts? Or am I blocked by distractions or parts of myself needing healing and transformation?
6. Guidance leads me to refreshment. All of Nature sings to the Creator, the Holy One. Am I free to notice? To Hear? To see? To feel? To taste? Am I aware of the sun, the shadows, the clouds, the water, the darkness, the sparkles of stars? Do I pay attention?
7. Guidance leads me at night to consider the unfolding of this day. Am I grateful? then I give thanks. Do I have regrets? then I ask forgiveness. Are there specific prayers I am guided to? then I pray the words given to me.
Judy Brutz, Quaker chaplain and author, writes and leads retreats for abuse survivors. She lives in Idaho with her family. She enjoys being in nature, photography, knitting for peace, and volunteering in the classroom by listening to children read. Visit her web site http://judybrutz.net.
