Take a look at the world around you, how much of it is moving, noisy, and simply keeping you busy? Noise and productivity are not altogether bad things, but this Lent God is calling you to consider giving up some of the noise and busy-ness of life. In its place, God is calling you to rest, breathe, and listen to Him in the silence as your loving Father. 

Made for a Break

When we look at the life of Jesus we are witnessing what it means to be fully human. Have you ever noticed how often in the Gospels Jesus stepped away from ministry and went to pray? Jesus reveals to us that man is made for regular daily rest and time to be with the Father. 

Make Time to Waste Time

In terms of productivity or entertainment, prayer and quiet with the Lord can seem like, well, a waste. We often can feel like we don’t immediately get anything out of prayer or silence. At the same time we have to remember that prayer is simply being with the Father. It’s spending time with the one who loves you perfectly and unconditionally and knowing that He is pouring out His grace into your life. 

How to Just “Be”

When we start to ask how we can stop “doing” and just be with the Lord it is often hard to know what this looks like. This Lent here are a few ideas to practice resting in and with the Lord. 

• Time with a friend – consider scheduling and calendaring time each day to be with the Lord in prayer like you would with a friend and loved one. Maybe this is coffee with Jesus or going on a walk with the Lord. Plan a time to intentionally invite Him in!
• Lectio – Whether it’s at a park or in your room, praying with Scripture and listening for what the Lord wants to speak to you through the Word allows you to encounter the Good News of Christ each day. Lean into Scripture knowing that God is speaking to you as His beloved child. 
• Daily Bread – visiting the adoration chapel or going to daily Mass allows you to soak in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. Through the Eucharist you can take Him with you as strength and peace into your daily routine.
• The Nap – This Lent you can even invite God into your nap time. If you have a go-go-go schedule, God might be encouraging you to lay down once and a while, after all God spoke to St. Joseph a lot while he was totally asleep! 
• Breathe – Being with the Lord can also be time to simply practice sitting, breathing, and listening. God gives you the breath of life each day and you can invite Him into your body, mind, and soul anywhere!
• Get it Out – Each and every day we can invite God into our hearts and experiences. We can share our struggles, anxieties, and hurts with the Lord through journaling or simply talking things out with Him. He longs to help you carry your burdens and joys each and every day. 

However you fast from busyness and noise this Lent, remember that God is longing to love you and always awaits your “yes” to be welcomed in. Being with the Lord means entering into a deep relationship with Him which can involve walking, coffee, writing, breathing, or simply listening. This Lent, take a break from the “go” and lean into rest with the Prince of Peace in new and powerful ways.

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To schedule an appointment with Adam Cross LMFT #116623 please call (805) 428-3755, email amc.cross7@gmail.com, or visit the contact page at adamcrossmft.wordpress.com/contact