“Sanctuary
of Time”---Excerpts from pages 64-77
In this section, Ann talks about
busyness and hurry verses living in the present moment. All of life doesn’t
have to be lived rushing, hurrying. “Hurry hurts the soul.” Everything is not
an emergency. Ann says that when we live eucharisteo,
we “redeem time from neglect and apathy and inattentiveness” as we “swell with
thanks.” In giving thanks to God for the moment, we actually “multiply the
moments” and time is made enough. According to Ann, “It’s ridiculous how much
joy a moment can hold.”
My natural propensity is to make lists, to feel good when I
am checking things off, and to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when I’m not
making satisfactory progress. When I lunge and plunge head-long into preparing
for what’s ahead, hurrying toward something and someday, I fail to notice the
gifts of the moment, the joy of the here and now. How can I say, “Thank you”
for all the blessings, the gifts, if I am rushing past them without even
noticing.
Imaging driving up Hwy. 1 along the Oregon coast and failing
to notice the breathtaking splendor of the rocky coast as it touches the
crashing waves. What if all one did was read the map, look for road signs that
give the distance to the next town, check the time, and glance over at the
speedometer. What a shame it would be to
miss the beauty of the moment, while of staring at the pavement ahead, fretting
about getting to some destination ahead.
It is sad but true---I have at times been like that. What
have I missed along the way? Slowly, I am changing. As I look for and
anticipate the “gifts” and then give thanks, I am more and more living in the
present. I don’t want to miss the goodness of God in a single moment. While a case can certainly be made for making
preparations for the future or having goals, the future can’t always take
precedence over the glory and grace of the present.
Like Ann, “I want enough time. Time to breath deep and time
to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and
sing joy, and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded, press, driven, or
wild to get it all done.” “I want to
slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God.”
I want to notice more, enjoy more, and
worship more. When my joy level increases, my focus on the negative decreases.
The problems and struggles in this broken world are tamed by gratitude. My attitude and perspective are improved, my
spirit is renewed, and gradually I am changed. I don’t want to miss any of my “one thousand gifts.” Thus, I will go on naming and numbering God’s goodness. Eucharisteo. Living more fully by thanking the Giver of all good gifts.
