Summer in America this year is extremely hot. When the temperatures and the humidity rise, I start dreaming of cooler places and checking in with all the folks I follow around the world who are building fires in July and wearing jackets rather than shorts and t-shirts. Even though I grew up in the South, I got spoiled living in the Northwest with it’s cooler summers and in Northern California where it could be really hot in the day time, but one would need a jacket as soon as the sun went down! Despite the heat, I am making an effort to embrace summer and take time to NOTICE the things that bring me joy along the way. NOTICING is a great spiritual practice that takes us out of our worry filled brains into the presence of God.
NOTICING involves stopping and paying attention.
NOTICING involves being curious.
The Practice of NOTICING allows God to surprise us along the way in our regular lives.
How has God been surprising you this week? What have you been noticing along your way that has brought you JOY? Take time to make a list, or paint a picture and/or look back through your photos to help you remember.
This week I was frustrated by how tired and unproductive I’ve been this summer! My husband reminded me that I am recovering from care giving and being on high alert due to my dad’s illness that started in the middle of May. Thankfully Dad is doing so much better that hospice dismissed him for now and we are planning to celebrate his 95th birthday next Saturday! I don’t know about you, but I can forget why I’m exhausted. I can forget why I’m feeling discouraged. I need to take the time to NOTICE my physical body and NOTICE the emotions I am carrying around with me in this body and take the time to process these emotions. I paint to help me process. I go take a walk. I lay in the floor or bounce on my exercise ball or even take a bath to help me get grounded enough to NOTICE what I’m really feeling and experiencing.
This week I’ve noticed the clouds as they’ve blown over our hill. It was actually cooler yesterday and I sat out on my porch and took time to watch the beautiful clouds in the sky. As kids, we used to take the time to imagine and watch for the different shapes in the clouds and make up stories about them, but as adults, too often we just worry about the rain! And speaking of rain, I actually noticed a beautiful rainbow this week when out walking the dog. It was over the city and this rainbow gave me a lot of hope for that day and for our town that has been plagued by white supremacy marches and so much gun violence this year! I might have missed the rainbow if I’d been looking at my phone or listening to a podcast while walking! I really try to practice phone free walks! That helps me notice! and it allows me space to listen to God and pray around the neighborhood!
And speaking of phone free…I’ve noticed just how addicted I am to my phone these days! Rob and I are discussing how to PRACTICE phone free fridays and truly make this a real sabbath practice. And we are wondering how we can host PHONE FREE gatherings for building community and friendship.
What are you NOTICING about yourself this summer? What emotions, feelings, stresses are you carrying around? What do you need to give to Jesus to carry for you?
My favorite author Joyce Rupp in May I Have this Dance says that July should be about PLAYING…and that children know how to NOTICE the little things along the way! She suggests that we take time to use a different sense each day this week. Taking time to NOTICE the smells one day, the sights another, the sounds you hear, the textures and things you touch on another day. Scientists have noticed that we are loosing our senses because we are all so screen focused! As a multi-sensory worship designer, this is frightening to me! I don’t want to lose the ability to notice the wonderful smells after a rain, or the touch and scent of fresh soil when planting flowers, or the feel of grass and gravel when walking barefoot!
watch the clouds
Your homework assignment is to PRACTICE NOTICING this week! And watch for God surprises! Practice NOTICING with all your senses too! notice the colors, the sounds, the little things along the way that are signs of God’s love and the beauty of God’s creation!
What sounds do you hear just right now? I hear the freeway traffic and the birds at my birdfeeder outside.
What do you see? I see all my art mess on the counter, but also the hazy hills across the way and the beautiful brown and green velvety leaves of my magnolia tree right outside my window!
And don’t forget TASTE! Take time to taste your food this week! Notice the flavors and textures and be thankful! If you are in summer where you live, notice how different the blueberries taste. Notice how a ripe peach or a fresh melon from the farmers market can taste just like summer itself!! Today I am noticing all the wonderful flavor in my favorite cup of coffee! And the fresh mint that I put in my water!
And remember that this is a PRACTICE so you will need to practice! Don’t let it be a chore, just let it be fun to notice the clouds, the smells, the tastes and textures. If you need help with the PRACTICE of NOTICING, invite a child over to play! Kids are great at noticing the smallest details of life! They will watch a bug for minutes or play in the sand for hours or just enjoy the feeling of being in a swing or walking barefoot in the grass! Watch the clouds with a friend. Watch the sunset with your partner! Notice the colors and how the light changes in the rest of the sky.
Don’t be afraid to take time to just BE STILL and know that God is with you along the way! Allow Jesus to use the little things to show you his great love for you this week and RECEIVE THE GIFT of Noticing!
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com