By Cheryl Saur of Saint Charles, Missouri USA

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

“Are you available?” This is a text message I receive almost daily from one of my grandsons. If I’m not immediately available he continues with, “What time will you be available today?” He always wants to connect using a “face-to-face” application on my cell phone even though I usually only see his ceiling fan. No matter, this is sacred space and sacred time. We have a time limit for sharing this space, and many times, we just sit in comfortable silence while he draws roads and highways on his sketch pad or works on his computer. Occasionally, he will break the silence to say, “I love you, Grandma.” He typically ends with, “It’s so peaceful with you, Grandma. Thanks for spending time with me.”

Finding sacred space and sacred time does not matter whether you are on the phone, in a church building, in a home, in a park, or at an event because God is everywhere all the time. Sharing together in the sacredness of God’s creativity is part of our whole-life discipleship. Being human is sacred, and God is always available anytime, anywhere; and sometimes in sacred silence we will hear the words, “I love you. Thank you for being available.”

“Are you available?” No matter what your answer is, may you always be filled with great hope on your life journey. Take a moment now to express gratitude for the blessings in your life, no matter how small they may seem.

“Whoever you are, you are human. Wherever you are, you live in the world, which is just waiting for you to notice the holiness in it” (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World, HarperOne, 2009).

Prayer Phrase

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Spiritual Practice

Sea of Light

Quiet and center yourself. Ask for God’s healing and guidance as you enter this time of prayerful presence. Close your eyes, breathing deeply and calmly. Imagine you are floating in a beautiful sea of light that rises and falls with each cycle of your breath. The golden light of this sea buoys you up, so you float effortlessly. Waves of light carry and wash over you, bringing wholeness and peace. Rest in the sea of God’s love; then offer a prayer of gratitude.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.