My prayer for you is that you are settling into a new rhythm with all the changes in our surroundings that happen when the weather cools down and the colors surrounding us change to vibrant oranges and reds and harvest is near.  I am settling into a new rhythm again as well, with my Spirtual Direction class beginning this month and so as I write this, I am feverishly finishing up with my summer reading and report.  One thing that I realized this summer is something my mother told me many years ago when I yearned to be older than I was and be done with high school.  She said, “Enjoy your time now, because the years will fly by faster and faster as you get older.”  Of course I didn’t believe her then.  I was a crazy teenager (you know…15 going on 25).  And even though I didn’t get all my summer homework done yet and am rushing now to finish it, I welcome the start-up of this class.  Studying the mystics and finding ways to center myself into God’s goodness and love is so grounding for me.  And that slows me down.  I have to be reminded from time to time how much God beckons me as much as I beckon Him.  And this verse in Acts reminds me of that. 

Acts 17:27 – [His purpose in all this] is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. (NLT)

God is near, always will be, but in the busyness of life, God feels so far away.  This time of year seems busier than even normal, but I plan to really enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, plan walks in the cooler temperatures and center myself in the grace of God’s love through silence and contemplation.

Join me again to experience a few moments of seeking God.  Sit comfortable, relax your shoulders.  Breathe in the freshness of the cooler air.  Breathe in God’s presence.  Breathe out the junk.  Draw near and remember our baptismal promises as we hear the raindrops, or wash our face, as we smell the freshness of harvest…and then walk in faith, knowing that, when we trip (all the time), God is with us always.

                                    Blessings in your journey,

                                    Pastor Patti