Go somewhere where you can get away into nature, such as a park, a walking trail, woods, fields, near a body of water, or other outdoor space. The hope is to find a quiet place to be surrounded by God’s creation.
Walk. Sit by water. Lie on the grass. Notice your surroundings. Listen. Breathe. Be present.
Reflect on the following question: “Choose one facet of creation that you love. . . . Observe it, think about it, learn about it every chance you can, with this question in mind: if that element of creation were your only Bible, what would it tell you about God?” (Brian McLaren)
Bring something to take pictures. As you walk, take pictures of crosses that you see in your surroundings. Look in the trees, on the ground, on signs. Give thanks for God’s creation and presence all around.
This message is excerpted from “Retreat where you are,” by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller in the July 2021, Café online magazine. Today is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Today we commemorate Birgitta of Sweden, renewer of the church, 1373.
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