Loving the Ride

Posted on July 9, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

with Nose wide open -- enjoying the ride

Good Morning, God!

I was so delighted when I saw this dog hanging his head out the car window when we were stopped at a red light.

When we’d been moving, his head was UP — nose in the air — enjoying stuff far beyond my senses. But, as You will understand, God, I couldn’t take his photo when we were moving.

I identify with this dog, God! Sniffing, sensing, enjoying, appreciating. It is really hard for me to pull back from the World of the Senses. To close my eyes (which must be my equivalent of the dog’s nose) and for 20 minutes to engage in Centering Prayer is to embrace Beyond My Senses stuff. Even now, God, my Dog Part is pulling . . . stretching out the car window . . .

Still, last night, God, when I was sitting in Centering Prayer, I could imagine myself as a dog lying at Your Feet. That was a lovely image. I remember seeing a friend’s beautiful Border Collie — stretched out in total repose — resting with not a care in the world.

If a busy and purposeful Border Collie can rest so completely . . . surely I can, too. Because, God, just as I cannot begin to comprehend the Vivid World of Odors so, too is the Cosmos of Prayer way beyond me. Hmm.

Now, that is a helpful thought, God. After all, embracing silence at the ten-day retreat helped me “tune up” my other senses. Hmm. Yes, God. Please help me see sitting in Centering Prayer as stepping in to Your Unseen and Unknown Reality.