Today I had the privilege of walking home from work in the rain. It isn't that big of a feat, since it is only several miles away. A friend of mine was aghast that I would walk home in the rain with an umbrella in high heels. Although, I hadn't planned on walking home today, it ended up being a serendipity for my soul. When I commenced the walk, I chose to do it with a good spirit. I thought of how many of my ancestors walked for miles. My great, grandfather was known to walk miles upon miles around town. He had a walking stick, and would suck on his butter rum LifeSavers, and pray until he arrived at his destination. My one great, great grandmother would walk eight miles to town and back five days a week to be a scrub woman. Her husband died early leaving her with many mouths to feed. She shouldered her responsibility, and walked to town on the railroad tracks everyday to feed her family.
I have been trying to discipline myself to walk more. Taking a class on prayer this semester has enriched my walking. I have taken up listening to Rachmaninoff's Vespers while walking the dog in the evening since taking this class. I have used this music to help focus my thoughts and mind on prayer while walking. I have also tried some other methods taught in class. One method was repeating a Holy sentence, such as a scripture verse, or something along those lines. Richard Foster calls these "breath prayers." My breath prayer for several weeks now has been..."The Perfect Love of God, for me, around me, in me and through me." It has helped me to meditate on God's Perfect Love. I want to KNOW it. I want to experience it. I want to share it. I think these practices have helped me grow on my journey.
So today, walking in the rain was not a hardship. It was soothing and peaceful in some way. It was an opportunity to experience the depth of God's Love in greater ways.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............
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