Presence

Lord, I turn to you in the quiet of my heart. Open my inner eyes to see you, my inner ears to hear you, and my heart wide to receive you.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 126:1-6 NRSVue

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Reflection

Do I take life too seriously? Have I lost my sense of humour? Did I ever have one? Do I know how to laugh at myself? When we take things too seriously, all the time, the smallest of things becomes a life-or-death issue. A stubbed toe can ruin our day. A less-than-stellar performance review can leave us gutted. One bad grade can seem like the end of the world. Life is about perspective. About knowing what is truly important. Today, grateful for all that my mistakes have taught me, I resolve not to take myself so seriously. I recognise that there is time for levity and that life is there to be lived and enjoyed.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, you knew how to laugh and enjoy life. Help me to become more lighthearted, and to not take myself too seriously. Help me to be more childlike, to have the joy of a child, for it is only they who will enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3). As GK Chesterton once said “angels can fly because they take themselves lightly”!