Just when I started to write a rule…

… Brother Lawrence reminds me to chill… Here are the words I read this morning that resounded deeply in my soul space: “The holiest, most common, most necessary practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God, that is to take delight in and become accustomed to His divine company, speaking humbly and talking lovingly with Him at every moment, WITHOUT RULE OR SYSTEM and especially in times of temptation, suffering, spiritual aridity, disgust and even of unfaithfulness and sin. We must continually work hard so that each of our actions is a way of carrying on little conversations with God, NOT IN ANY CAREFULLY PREPARED WAY BUT AS IT COMES FROM THE PURITY AND SIMPLICITY OF THE HEART.” ( emphasis mine… from The Practice of the Presence of God by; Image Books edition; Brother Lawrence; p. 101) The barren oak tree is a symbol of what started Brother Lawrence down the path of practicing the presence of God. It’s a powerful symbol to me for that reason (Bro Lawrence has been the single most import and helpful devotional writer for my life journey) and many other reasons as well…