Nothing is everything.

Happiness is finding peace with ourselves and ensuring a sound haven for our dreams, and at the same time, acknowledging our nothingness in front of nature’s splendor. –Erik Pevernagie

 

A mother walks into a room and finds her child rummaging through a drawer, pushing and pulling the contents every which way. What are you looking for? She asks.

Quickly slamming the drawer shut, he hides his hands behind his back. Oh, nothing. . . .

The wise mother, with a twinkle in her eye, asks: And did you find it?

Some days (weeks), this is my life. I have no idea what I am looking for. I toss and turn at night; I search endlessly through articles and passages, certain that whatever it is my soul is seeking, if I just keep looking, I’ll find it. . . .

And sure enough. Most days, what my heart is really looking for—is nothing. That space of quiet emptiness, where the mental traffic stops whizzing past at breakneck speed. Where the sound of silence erupts and insists I pay attention. A few moments, however brief, when I allow God to tiptoe across my weary spirit, whispering soothing words of Love.

What are you looking for, My child? What is it you need?

Oh, nothing . . . and everything. And—You, God.

Well, guess what? You have found it! Welcome back.


Monday, September 20 Believe in your power to transform indifference into love. How will you show the world you care? Proverbs 31;10-12

Tuesday Believe you have an amazing gift to keep hope alive in the face of despair. Offer a prayer today for someone who is struggling. Psalm 1

Wednesday Believe you have the remarkable skill of deleting bitterness from your life. Pray for the courage to forgive someone who has hurt you. Jeremiah 11:18-20

Thursday Believe in your budding potential to live with a nonviolent heart. Is there a human rights issue about which you are passionate? Contact your congressional representative and making your passion known. James 3:17-18

Friday Believe in your passion to speak the truth, even when it isn’t popular. Today, pray for conviction to speak truth—in love. James 4:1-3

Saturday Believe you have the strength of will to be peace in a world of violence. Offer words of peace and a hug (after asking permission). Mark 9:30-32

Sunday  Believe in your miraculous capacity to give—and receive—unconditional love. Greet someone with reckless abandon this morning. Mark 9:36-37

 

I will believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is. –Macrina Wiederkehr

 

(Daily meditation prompts adapted from Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr)

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