SPEAKER_00: Welcome, beloved.
SPEAKER_00: Begin by finding a comfortable position.
SPEAKER_00: With feet resting gently on the floor, hands resting loosely in your lap.
SPEAKER_00: Allow your body to soften, your shoulders to release any tension.
SPEAKER_00: Take a deep, slow breath in and gently let it out.
SPEAKER_00: God is here with us, nearer than our own breath.
SPEAKER_00: Let's begin with an invitation to the Holy Spirit.
SPEAKER_00: Come, Holy Spirit, you are the breath of God, the flame of love, the gentle whisper that guides us.
SPEAKER_00: Awaken now our memory, stir our holy imagination, and help us to see this day through the eyes of Christ.
SPEAKER_00: May your light guide us, your mercy comfort us, and your love renew us.
SPEAKER_00: Hear the words of the psalmist.
SPEAKER_00: Be still and know that I am God.
SPEAKER_00: We remember God is closer than our very breath, more faithful than the sunrise, always present, always loving.
SPEAKER_00: Gracious God, I believe that I am in your presence and you are loving me.
SPEAKER_00: Beautiful Jesus, I believe that at this very moment, with whatever is going on in my life, I am in your presence, and you are loving me.
SPEAKER_00: Without condition, without restriction, without limit.
SPEAKER_00: And so I choose in your grace to open my mind, my memory, my imagination, my entire self to your love.
SPEAKER_00: Together, we recognize God's gifts.
SPEAKER_00: Scripture says, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
SPEAKER_00: Let your heart wander back through this day and notice God's gifts, large or small, a kind word, the warmth of the sun on your skin, a meal that satisfied, a moment of laughter.
SPEAKER_00: And ask yourself, where did I experience love today?
SPEAKER_00: Where did I receive love?
SPEAKER_00: Where did I give love?
SPEAKER_00: Hold these moments gently before God and whisper in your heart, thank you.
SPEAKER_00: And now we ask for God's light.
SPEAKER_00: Jesus promised, when the Spirit of Truth comes, Spirit will guide you into all truth.
SPEAKER_00: We invite God's loving perspective, and we receive the light that we need to see clearly.
SPEAKER_00: Holy Spirit, help us to look upon this day not with judgment or self-criticism, but with the ears of love, with the eyes of love.
SPEAKER_00: Show us where you were present, even if we did not notice it at the time.
SPEAKER_00: Show us ourselves with your tenderness.
SPEAKER_00: Begin with the present moment, then gently trace your steps backward.
SPEAKER_00: Notice where you were, what you said and did, and who you encountered?
SPEAKER_00: Ask yourself, where have I felt true joy today?
SPEAKER_00: Where did I feel empty or drained?
SPEAKER_00: Where did I sense God's loving presence?
SPEAKER_00: Where did I resist him?
SPEAKER_00: Beloved, pay attention to your emotions.
SPEAKER_00: They are windows into the movement of spirit.
SPEAKER_00: If a moment shines with God's nearness, linger there in gratitude.
SPEAKER_00: If a moment stings with failure or distance, hold it in God's compassionate gaze.
SPEAKER_00: You do not need to fix or judge, only to notice, to remember, and to be present with God in what was.
SPEAKER_00: The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
SPEAKER_00: I will never be lonely, for you are near.
SPEAKER_00: You prepare a table before me, a feast, even in the presence of enemies.
SPEAKER_00: You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit, and you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows.
SPEAKER_00: So why would I fear the future?
SPEAKER_00: Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life.
SPEAKER_00: And then afterward, when my life is through, I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.