Ash Wednesday, the Evening Review

In her book, The Cup of Life, Joyce encourages us to spend a few moments at the end of the day, to pause. She writes, "This brief review is meant to bring wholeness into your entire day, to wrap the day with the ribbon of prayer.  Each evening, pause before you get into bed, or as you are undressing, or as you are lying in bed, and reflect upon the day you have just lived:

1. How open or aware was I to the presence of God in my day?
2. What kind of nourishment did I receive? What kind of nourishment did I give?
3. Does anything need to be emptied out in order for me to be at peace tonight?
4. For what do I thank God as I prepare to enter into sleep?

Divine Companion, shelter me under your wings of love. Grant me a peaceful night and a restful sleep. Amen. (J. Rupp, Cup of Life, p 17-18)

Hummmm isn't it easy to sense God's presence when things are going well?  Sometimes it is difficult when those you love are struggling.  Sometimes it is difficult listening to the evening news.

I was open to the presence of God this morning and again this evening during the Ash Wednesday service.

The darkened sanctuary, lit by many, many candles. The Table with the Bread and the Cup....moved directly in front of Jesus praying in Gethsemane.  The large cross, serving as a poignant reminder of what is to come.  Music, specially selected and downloaded, filtering through the space. How can one not be opened to the presence of God in such a place.

Yet, I felt anxiety rising up as I drove home and learned that my daughter's bad day, had become worse. I felt a growing distance from the wonder of the evening as a friend shared the result of a doctor's report. I felt....

Coming home, I opened Joyce's book and looked at these questions. She is basically following the Examen with these reflective questions...

I pray that as the days past, that I will know God is present, within any situation.  I pray that I become willing to let go of my concerns that I want to hold on to, in order that I might be at peace during the night.  I pray that I offer the love song of my life to at least one person each day.  I pray this in the name of the one who died on the cross for me.  For that I do thank God as I prepare to enter into sleep. May you and I sense the shelter of God's wings of love as we drift into a restful sleep.

Many Blessings ~ Sandi