Time

Growing up I was told to "savor the moments" because time begins to go faster as you age. Hard to understand when you are young, carefree and just "do." I am finding that it is true. Life definitely seems to be going faster every year. And yet, now I find myself with more time again...

My youngest graduated this year. She is beginning her new journey as a young adult. Her older siblings are making their decisions and moving on with life as well. This all means I have more time on my hands than I used to. It isn't bad. I'm not complaining. This is all part of life. Ups, downs, ebbs, flows, craziness, nothing...

As I sit this morning in the stillness of my home (well, as still as a house with 3 cats can be), I am reminded that I still have choices. I still have decisions to make on how I will spend my time.

This prayer from the Shabbat book struck me this morning:

HELP ME, O GOD,

to find still moments,

quiet spaces within to refresh my soul;

cease my questions, my inner debates,

and let me meditate on Your goodness.

Help me, O God,

to nurture my courage,

recalling moments of strength.

Let me remember days of fortitude

and the certainty of your regard.

Help me, O God,

to turn to the light,

to feel the warmth of Your touch,

my own face and fingers outstretched,

alive, alive in Your sight.

page 284

Mishkan T'filah A Reform Siddur

This prayer is my heart. I want to find the still moments and refresh my soul. I love the word "within" in that line. I won't find it by being with others and in crowds. The moments come when I stop and look within and when I am still. I want to trust my Creator to cease the questions and inner debates. I want that courage that HE brings.

We have become a world that is busy. So busy we don't stop to listen. It's TIME to change that.

It's time we reconnect with our Creator on a relationship level, not a "I'm in church once a week" level. It's time we reconnect with the person HE created us to be.

And guess what... this prayer will happen:

CREATE a pure heart within me;

let my soul wake up in Your light.

Open me to Your presence;

flood me with Your holy spirit.

Then I will stand and sing out

the power of Your forgiveness.

I will teach Your love to the lonely;

the lost will find their way home.

Adonai, open up my lips

and my mouth will declare Your praise.

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Mishkan T'filah A Reform Siddur

In the middle of the craziness, in the middle of life always moving forward, take the TIME to stop and take care of you. YOU are important. YOU matter. When you stop to refresh and remember the strength HE can give you, then you wake up ready to bring that refreshment and love to those around you.

I chose the picture I did because it reminds me that when we make TIME, time actually kind of stands still... There is a freedom in that moment and I truly believe this picture portrays that.

Love and blessings friends,

Rose