I Notice You .....

     This Lenten season offers a special invitation.  As I shared earlier, my intention during Lent will be to focus on spiritual practices that I want to keep as a part of my life beyond the 40 days.  It’s an opportunity to slow down and connect deeper to God, myself and others.

        Last year a friend shared a Lent reflection from Tosin Akande (Instagram @tosin_akande). It spoke to me.  She focused on five practices:

1.  Notice & Acknowledge

2.  Cultivate your community

3.  Intake Profoundly Human Stories

4.  Meditate through Emotions

5.  Embrace & Reconnect

     

The first practice, Notice & Acknowledge invites us to remember to slow down and be able to acknowledge those around us.  One of the daily ways that I do this came through my phone.  Each day random photos show up on my iPhone, This year, I’ve decided that these are not random pop ups, but nudges. I pray for the person/s in the photo and text the photo along with a message of encouragement. Noticing and Acknowledging also means taking the time to appreciate a moment while we are in the midst of it.  It’s pausing during a conversation to let someone know how much having time to connect blesses me. It’s pausing during a meal to make a toast of gratitude for sharing a meal.

Here’s my reflection on what I practice this season,

             I appreciate this practice, because it is an opportunity to let someone know that they are seen.  I invite you to take time to notice and acknowledge someone today.  In the midst of being distracted with so much to see and do, we should never pass up the moment to tell someone else, “I see you.”

               This song randomly popped up and I have no idea how….. but I believe it was a nudge …. So I am sharing this with you today.

          Today, I notice and acknowledge each one of you who is reading or listening to this blog.  I am grateful for you. I notice you. I acknowledge you. 

You are

They are

We are

….. God’s gift to world.

I see you ….

That’s it … that’s the blog.

Rev Sheila