Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century Christian, lay brother, and French monk with a Carmelite monastery in Paris, was said to be a man who exemplified profound peace wherever he went. So much so, the joy made evident in his life attracted visitors from near and far, all seeking to learn the secret of his spiritual practice.
The Practice of the Presence of God is a book that was compiled after Brother Lawrence’s passing, and in it, it shares musings, letters, and conversations of his time spent in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning.
Holding profound wisdom into the presence that can be found in simple places and ordinary moments, the book speaks of how Brother Lawrence simply practiced turning his attention to the Divine Presence, which he wrote, was available to him (and us) at all times during any activity.
Practicing the presence of God is an invitation that extends to each one of us today.
No matter who we are, where we are, or what we’re doing, we can be fully present with God and experience every moment as a gift of God anytime, anywhere.
The soul work of presence and the prompts in today’s intermission are invitations into those places—the average, ordinary, and simple moments of your life.
Rather than seeing these sides of life as “things to get done” so you can move on to the “important work,” instead, see them as opportunities where God’s presence can be discovered deeply, richly, and truly.
“Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone.”
– With Joy
Source: Compiled by Marshall Davis, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. Modern English edition, 2013.
Pause for Thought
“Several times during the day … ask yourself for a moment if you have your soul in your hands or if some passion or fit of anxiety has robbed you of it … Quietly bring your soul back to the presence of God, subjecting all your affections and desires to the obedience and direction of his divine will.”
- Practice this: Set your phone’s timer to go off every hour to consider asking yourself this very question.
Pause for Practice
The following practice is a mindfulness exercise helping you focus on a task often seen as mundane and boring. Doing the dishes, for example, is often a chore most people tend to find a way out of. But with this practice, we’re inviting you into such a chore by seeing how boredom can be transformed into a place of presence and peace when seen as such.
Whenever you find yourself in the kitchen today, whether it’s setting the table, washing pots and pans, prepping dinner, or loading the dishwasher, use the setting of your kitchen and this practice as an opportunity to practice the presence of God.
Before you begin:
- Take a moment to center yourself.
- Inhale a deep breath. Exhale slowly.
- Ask God to be with you.
- As you execute the task:
- Think about what you’re doing.
- Feel what you are doing.
- Be with what you are doing.
- And offer up your task to God through conversation.
- Invite God’s presence to be with you.
When done, thank God for the sacred moment.
Pause and Exercise
Scattered at various moments throughout your day are opportunities for simple practice. Creating “small pauses” can be a way to help you begin a habit of turning your heart and attention toward God. The following ideas are in no way “must-do suggestions,” they are merely offerings to consider. Try any of the following, or build an idea of your own, but be intentional about creating small pauses throughout your day to implement as practice.
- A Specific Task: Talk to God during a task you do on the daily. Whether it’s getting ready in the morning, folding laundry, making dinner, etc. Whatever the task is, simply decide to use that task as a time to have a simple and honest conversation with God.
- Listening Time: If music, audio books, or podcasts are something you do on the daily, create a pause at the beginning of each listen to offer up what you are about to hear. Ask God to attune your ears to the wisdom that can be found in the words read, the advice spoken, or the lyrics sung.
- Focused Interruptions: Many things in life pop up to distract us. But rather than seeing interruptions as the things taking us away from our intentions, try using them as a signal. Like the old saying says, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So, next time a distraction occurs, use it as a cue to turn your attention toward God’s presence.
- Planned Prayers: In the same way people collect favorite quotes and keep them saved in their phone, do the same thing with words, verses, or thoughts that keep your thoughts focused on God. Have specific phrases you can think of and pray through them during the morning shower, or on the drive to work, or when stuck in a long line at the grocery store. Planning ahead helps you combat the inevitable frustrations that tend to surface within the daily human experience.
Source: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Exercises list, p.73
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P.S. See how the ordinary faces of a newborn daughter can inspire such joy and hilarity in her dad … and the gift of humor he shares with us all.
