Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest Matthew 6:31(a)
Some thoughts from ‘Gifts from the Sea’ by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient…… Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”
“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach,
one can collect only a few … and they are more beautiful – if they are few!
‘The mind wakes, comes to life again. Not in a city sense—no—but beach-wise. It begins to drift, to play, to turn over in gentle careless rolls like those lazy waves on the beach. One never knows what chance treasures these easy unconscious rollers may toss up, on the smooth white sand of the conscious mind; what perfectly rounded stone, what rare shell from the ocean floor.’
“One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”
Gifts from the Sea’ by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
“Beachcombing” – Adapted from Landscapes of Prayer –by Margaret Silf
Beachcombing is a wonderful way to pray. You might like to try it. You don’t need a beach or an ocean to do it. Just a little time, a little patience, open eyes, and an open heart.
The “beach” is simply the experience of your day, just as it was, with all its ups and downs, its beautiful shells and its stinging jellyfish.
To make this kind of prayer, just wander along that “beach” and see what you find. Remember, we are all different – and, on our beaches and seashores we might all find very different things!
What has happened today to delight you, to give you a glimpse of joy, to make you feel more alive,
more connected to God, to yourself or to others?
Who or what has nourished you in some way today, or helped you heal a hurt?
Has the surf of your own life, the things you have said and done today, brought nourishment, healing, or a loving touch to someone else’s beach?
Has anything happened today, or been said or done, that has triggered feelings of anger or sorrow or resentment in you?
What do you think was at the root of these feelings?
As you look back over your beach (today), notice the trail of your footprints. Is there anything you regret in the path you have walked, or anything you would want to handle differently in the future? If so, simply let it rest there between you and God without judging yourself or anyone else.
As you bring your prayer to a close, gather up the treasures of your beachcombing, store then away in your heart, and then let the incoming tide wash everything else away.
Tomorrow you will walk once more on virgin sand.”
“Beachcombing” – Adapted from Landscapes of Prayer – finding God in your life and your life by Margaret Silf
Silence and Stillness in Church or Garden
Soon we’ll be spending some time in stillness and quiet … perhaps pondering on what we have just read … maybe sitting quietly indoors, or outside … just talking time to ‘be’ – to be with God … to listen to him … something, perhaps we don’t have or make time for very often …
Maybe spend some time beachcombing in your quiet space
Share with God your beachcombing experience – or maybe just ‘be’ – be with him … listen to him … perhaps ‘hearing’ him through the natural surroundings
Let’s in this time of stillness, prayer, meditation and contemplation ponder how we find God in creation and the natural world… and how he might find us!
