STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

The Parable of the Squash Blossom:

The Kingdom of God is like a squash seed, which, when planted in a large pot on a backyard deck, will grow into a thick-stemmed plant with large green leaves. The stems will spread quickly until they hang over the sides of the pot. Soon large yellow blossoms will appear. In time, each of these blossoms will turn into a tiny summer squash. The squash will grow bigger with each day.

While the squash is still enlarging on the vine, other blossoms will appear. In time, each blossom will transform into another vegetable. The process will repeat itself throughout the growing season. In fact, some flowers will appear underneath the large leaves and will go unnoticed.

These “hidden” blossoms will produce unseen squash. Sheltered by the large green leaves and camouflaged by the thick vines, these tiny squashes will become enormous vegetables.

When the backyard gardener finally sees what her plant has produced, she will be amazed and surprised. She will also have so many squashes that she will not know what to do with them all!

A Question to Ponder:

What grows unnoticed in your life because it is small and hidden?

STEP THREE: PRAY

Gracious God,

too often I don't think that I'm significant or big enough to make much of a difference. There are other voices that are louder. There are others with more power and position. Still others are more outgoing and have larger networks. I forget the mustard seed. I forget the ability of small seeds to grow into large shrubs and trees. I also forget that I have work to do in your Kingdom—work that is filled with compassion and provides for those in need. Help me O Lord, to remember and respond. I do have agency, influence, and resources that are filled with the potential to do great things. Empower me to respond by employing what I have in service to you and my fellow humans.

Through Jesus Christ, Amen.