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 Parables of the Deck box and weed puller :

Listen! Let those who have ears hear. Wake up and take action, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Be like the wise person who takes in the seat cushions from all the deck chairs each night. With great care, he puts the cloth seats and pillows into the waterproof deck box, making sure that they are not left out. When the rain falls during the night or the dew falls in the morning, the cushions remain dry.

Or be like the conscientious weeder who carefully scans the garden every few days, looking for weeds. When she sees a weed, she pulls it out immediately. I tell you, she will not let weeds grow and crowd out the good plants.

A Question to Ponder:

What relationships in your life do you most overlook or take for granted?

STEP THREE: PRAY

Gracious God,

help me stay active and tend the garden that is my faith. Keep me ever aware of your love and the claim that it has on my living. Guide the way that I relate to others so that my actions, words, and thoughts might reflect your grace, hospitality, and forgiveness. Empower me to participate in the creative and redemptive work of your Kingdom.

Through Jesus Christ, Amen.