Give Us Your Peace

 We live in a troubled world. There is so much to worry about, in every aspect of our lives that sometimes it can seem overwhelming. Yet, over and over, throughout the bible, the resounding message is that we are not to let our hearts be troubled. That if we only ask, we will be given "the peace that passes understanding". 

In the midst of every difficulty, we can pray for Divine intervention and be filled with a peace and calm that is beyond our understanding.

This is my simple message today and along with it I will share a hymn:

Give us your peace, Oh God
Give us your peace, your peace...

When we're afraid, running from truth,
gather us back to you.

Take every fear and fill our hearts,
Give us your peace, Oh God.

Give us your peace, Oh God
Give us your peace, your peace.

Lord, we belong to you alone,
show us the way back home.

Into your light, into your love,
Give us your peace Oh God

Give us your peace, Oh God,
give us your peace, your peace.

*Jesse Manibusan and Sarah Hart, "Give Us Your Peace"

Cathedral of the Woods

 I have always thought of a walk in the woods as something of a religious experience. Hiking on a path through the forest, with a canopy of green leaves above me and wildflowers growing in the spots where dappled sun shines through, calms and centers me. There is a hush in deep, old growth woods, inspired by birdsong and the hum of interconnected life all around, that brings deep peace whenever the world "is too much with me" (to quote Wordswoth).

It is so easy to pray when out in nature. There is beauty all around and much to be thankful for. Every living thing seems to vibrate with the Divine. Even when things are not going great in my personal life, I can escape for a time to this peaceful place where I can refresh and nourish my soul.

Recently, I read something on social media that really resonated with me:

How the Forest Heals You:

• Tree scent: Lowers stress hormones and boosts natural killer cells which strengthen the immune system.
• Color Green: Reduces heart rate and blood pressure
• Fractal patterns: Found in leaves calm the brain and reduce mental fatigue
• Bird songs: Reduce anxiety in the amygdala (the fight or flight center), restore focus and improve mood 
• Fresh air: Trees filter pollutants and deliver clean oxygen rich air to our lungs

Physically, mentally, spiritually, the forest is a magically healing place.

What Is Freedom?

 What is freedom?  It sounds like one of those existential questions posed in Philosophy 101, which requires an essay response.  But it is a question worth pondering now and then, especially around July 4th, when we celebrate our nation's independence.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...."  These familiar words from the Declaration of Independence remind us that life itself and liberty as the ability to make our own choices in the pursuit of happiness, are gifts from God.  No one should ever be able to take these away from us. Though we still have to abide by society's rules and respect our fellow human beings, we can, for the most part, find our own path in life and change course at any time. We are blessed to live in a country that allows us that freedom and we must do everything in our power to protect this sacred right.

So I begin this day by giving thanks for these gifts and countless others that I rarely acknowledge.  I give thanks for my physical body that, though it's getting older, is a miracle in itself. Every day, I wake up and am able to move freely. I can walk outside and see the sunrise, listen to the morning birds and smell the fragrance of the earth.  I can taste fresh strawberries and the first sip of hot coffee.  I can listen to music or sing, dance, write or read. I can hug someone or pet my dog, care for my garden, feed the birds...so many choices! If I have to go to work, I can change my attitude about that and find things to be thankful for in the job that I do, the people I am surrounded with each day. When we really think about it, the ordinary becomes extraordinary; we see that the things we take for granted everyday are really to be celebrated! 

So, if I were to write that essay on "what is freedom", I would say that, more than anything, it is a state of mind.  No matter what our physical circumstances, our spirits are as free as we allow them to be. We always have the ability to think, dream, imagine and pray our way through any situation. I would sum it up by saying that freedom is the ability to let go of anything that hinders, makes us feel constrained or unhappy and to fully embrace the blessings that each day holds, writing our own story as we go.  

To quote a familiar song by Bobby McFerrin:

 Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry be happy!