Welcome to Pushing Pause! A bi-weekly newsletter offering you an invitation to push pause and explore faith, rest, and beauty in the every day moments of life.
From where I write spring is unfolding and despite the yellow pollen of a NC spring, it’s my favorite season. As I take a walk or sit on the front bench at my home I’m captivated by the wonder of growth and beauty emerging.
There’s a reason why all of the metaphors and comparisons of our life to the seasons within the natural world never get old…it’s part of our lived experience. It’s what we live out day after day, year after year. In nature we watch these seasons unfold and it resonates in our spirit because it is true for our lives too. We are created with the same rhythms of change and renewal. We understand in our core what it is to despair at the bleakness of winter and marvel at the awakening of new life. In the creation of the seasons of the natural world, it’s as if God is inviting us to observe and see that this is true for us too. Life, growth, change, death, and resurrection all present themselves to us in the passing of seasons and in the movement of our lives.
There’s a certain discipline of attentiveness that I appreciate about spring. The practice of paying attention is what makes spring so enjoyable for me. It’s looking intentionally for the signs of life and bearing witness to the changes that come. We have to slow our pace and our gaze to fully see what’s taking shape and even then there’s much below the surface we can’t see. The same is true for our lives. May the changing of seasons be a space for reflection as we see our own growth or pruning that is needed. Just like a fresh bud shooting up from the dark, damp soil, let us marvel at our own growth breaking forth, even if it’s small and barely noticeable, it’s a sign of life. These small signs of life are worthy of our attention and wonder. And just like spring, the change may come gradually, one small bud at a time that is ripe with the promise of change. May we slow our pace to make space for seeing the beauty of our life in this season unfold.
A Prayer
Creator,
May the fragile flower of our new growth hold steady in the winds and storms of the season. May its roots sink down and become stronger as our spirits find their nurturing in the love of you, our God. Give us eyes to see the awakening in ourselves as well as bear witness to the growth in others. In response, let praise drip from our lips like the spring rains that sustain new life. Awaken us to wonder at the changing of the seasons both outside and within. And if it feels like an eternal winter where hopes and dreams for change lie dormant, give us patience to trust the hidden work and to believe that there is beauty to be found in all seasons. Amen
A Practice
Observe and Reflect:
Take time this week to observe and pay attention to the new season of the natural world around you. Notice the signs of life, death, change, and beauty. With those observations in mind, reflect on your own season of life and notice the same signs of life, death, change, and beauty within.
Simply observing and naming is enough but if you want to explore further, here are some questions for reflection:
What good was found or what lessons have I learned in this season I am living?
What hardships have this season held?
What signs of new life and growth do I see in my life?
What is at work below the surface that I am hopeful will grow or change?
Is there growth that isn’t happening or even a dying dream, relationship, hope, etc that I need to mourn and let go of?
How can I let my roots sink deeper into the love of God in this season?
I hope you find space to marvel at the season of our world and of your life this week. As always, thanks for reading! - Lindsay