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Be still, and know that I am God! – Psalm 46:9a (NLT)

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As most of you may have read in my GPS email, I am down in Mexico working with my new employers. What some of you may not know is that I am staying and working at a health and wellness/medical clinic. As part of my introduction to what they do here, the founder of this clinic (the male half of my “employers”) asked that I be signed up for some of the simpler testing and other benefits that the guests receive while staying here (can we say 90 minute massage? Ahhh…what a blessing!).

So, first thing this morning, I zipped down to the second floor to have my vitals taken (my blood pressure, oxygen levels and weight were all within normal parameters, thank you very much!). Right after this procedure I was scheduled to go to meditation.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had much success with meditation. It’s kind of like prayer, actually. I sit down (or lay down) and try to empty my mind of all the “to dos” and outside world stuff…but end up flitting from one “I wish” to an “Oh, I didn’t get that done” or “I wonder why so-and-so hasn’t returned my call” and I fail to properly focus my prayers (or empty my mind to reach that meditative state). And the type of meditation that I have been exposed to has been more of the “new age” type (connect to your source. Use the Force, Luke!). :-)

Needless to say, I went into this meditation session with low expectations. In fact, I was a bit disgruntled because I was there instead of having my quiet time with the Lord that I am used to having each morning. I was a little late and the instructor was already in progress talking about what meditation is to him. Well, much to my surprise, this man was discussing prayer and worship as I settled down into my seat.

His comments were that we go to church and we pray. We sing. We say liturgy. We sing some more. We pray some more. All of these things are wonderful and needed. But, they are like talking to God through a two way radio. We’re sending messages or requests or comments up…but usually we aren’t taking our finger off of the “talk” button to let His reply come back to us.

The instructor, Dr. Lanzagorta, perceives meditation as our time to stop and listen. In fact, as he guided us through some breathing exercises, he blessed us with incredible messages of love and worship; asking us to pause and know that we are loved and just “be” in the arms of our Lord. Just for a few moments.

Well, we were supposed be breathing deeply, but I sure was having a hard time because tears were pouring in sheets from eyes. I wasn’t blubbering, and squeezing those tears out in painful floods. No, it was like my joy of being with the Lord in that moment had to overflow out of my eyes.

Wouldn’t you know it…it turns out Dr. Lanzagorta is a former Catholic monk! :-)

I’m sharing this with you so that maybe you might take a moment today or tomorrow (or whenever you read this) to stop…be still…and be loved by the Giver of All Good Things.

          Complete that circle.

                    Renew your strength…

                         and know that He is God.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

Dear Papa – Thank you for taking me in your loving arms this morning and making my world right again. They can take this girl away from her home, but they can never take You away from me. Thank you for reminding me that you are in and within all things and that you will find a way to reach out to me, no matter where I am. I am so looking forward to meditating with you again tomorrow morning. Your love has once again filled me to overflowing and I’m leaking it out for everyone to see. I love you with every cell of my body! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah