Suspended Moments

Little eyes are filled with expectation, curiosity and hopeful visions of what might be inside the meticulously wrapped boxes. Melodic Christmas tunes jingle merriness all the way, and as I devour sugar and butter baked treats, they quickly overfill my daily caloric intake…but I don’t care. Christmas Eve day with our family sitting around the tree hugging cushions on the couch, sharing stories, laughing, shaking presents…those are memories that stick. This is a rare moment suspending spelling lessons, paying bills, washing dishes, sitting at a desk, and worrying about daily stuff. For me it is in those times and on Christmas day with family and friends that make this a special time of the year.

Actually I dread, the day after Christmas. It is a reminder that “real life” is still waiting like the IRS on April 15th. Life is often messy, hard, complicated, frustrating and disappointing, and that’s just in the morning trying to open a new box of Cherrios. What if we could suspend “real life” each day? What if we had a daily moment to let the worries and challenges of that day dissipate into the fog of our consciousness? What would replace it? One of the gifts God offers us is His presence, the Holy Spirit, for daily communion. We call it prayer.

Prayer can be this suspension of worries, frustrations and pain when we open our hearts and thoughts to God’s love, direction, hope, peace, comfort and counsel. We may quiet our spirits in reflection and meditation, take a refreshing prayer walk, read inspirational thoughts on scripture, listen to worshipful songs, or even let God speak directly to you through his living and active Word. I long for those moments. After such times, my “real life” feels lighter, full of hope, filled with peace and confidence. I know my God walks with me.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14