A simple case of habit.

Brother Lawrence 1611-1691 Excerpts from The Practice of the Presence of God

There has been so much written about Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence of God. I decided I  am not going to dwell on the technicalities, but this is what struck me about it.

Firstly Brother Lawrence as he is known only spent 25 of his 80 years as a Carmelite Lay Bother. His other 55 years were spent as a soldier and a servant. I believe these had as much influence on him as the following 25. You see I believe it was in these years he journeyed to a place of simplicity. Travelling toward God in those years to make initial decision to join the monastery. 

 Some Winnie the Pooh Wisdom

Brother Lawrence spent his latter life determined to  experiment into how to be in a habitual state of communion with God. Brother Lawrence was simply "trying to do life with God". I find this interesting that when I tried to find  a picture of  Brother Lawrence most of the images portrayed him as a scholar, but he had no formal education and did not come into the monastery till he was 55. The kitchen of the monastery was one of the smelting crucibles that God chose to refine him.

I find it encouraging that in his story he tried and failed so many times as he journeyed into spending his conscious time with God. This man like me was no super saint. He was a man my 21st century mentality can cope with. He spent his days alone with pots and pans and learnt to find God there.

I know that I do my devotions as we talked about last week, but it can be many hours before God comes into my consciousness again. I am easily distracted, as well as being totally absorbed which may seem an oxy-moron, but let me explain. When I am supposed to be with God  I can be so easily distracted.  While at work or at play I am absorbed in what I am doing.

My take away on this is a simple plan:

I have a frozen shoulder which requires stretching every 20 minutes to continue healing. I use a timer on my phone to remind me. So every time I stretch, I will also pray. Maybe I can begin to  become more aware of being with my Heavenly Father as Brother Lawrence did. By developing a habit of acknowledging my Father on a regular basis.  As Pooh said" today is my favourite day" ................... a chance to try again!

Until next time Paul