This? or That?

Illusionists play with our minds by drawing our attention to clear white imposed upon stark black.  How long can you look at your “chosen” image (the faces or the urn) before your attention leaps to the other image?  Our attention can be fleeting as we walk through the world of darkness.  Think about it – how long can you sustain uninterrupted focus upon the quiet stillness of prayer (where you converse with God the giver of Light and Life) before your attention leaps to other worldly concerns? 

Reflection:  Some people call it monkey brain.  

We want to focus upon one thing:   God.  Peace.  Stillness.  

But every other moment random thoughts race through the cavern of our mind, like a troop of monkeys careening through the canopy of a tropical forest.  That is simply a reality.  

The beauty and the blessing of this reality is that the moment we notice that we are paying attention to these thoughts we can accept the invitation to simply return to the stillness.  

In the same way, as we look at everything we carry in our mind and in our hearts, we do well to pay attention to the places where God's light and love are present.  Every time we lose that focus and we dwell on fear or doubt or worry of any kind we can return, gently, to God.  

Prayer:  Quiet my thoughts, gracious God.  I want to return to your peace.  I want to dwell with you, even if only for a while.  Draw my eyes, my mind and my heart to your Light.  Amen.