Agreeing to Follow the Acronym of G.O.D.

This morning I sat in my morning contemplation. Actually, I wiggled, jittered and squirmed until, finally, I gave into my antsy-ness and got up off my prayer cushion. Then, I paced, spun, and rambled aimlessly; first through the rooms of my house-mind flitting from a decorating idea for the kitchen, to noticing cobwebs between the sofa and the drapes, to concerns about not being able to pay the painter. I ended up out of doors; perhaps my spirit was hoping for relief. I attempted to engage body and mind in a morning gratitude ceremony.  That did not work either.  I experienced no stillness, no centeredness, and no peace of body, mind, heart or spirit.  All these behaviors are the actions I have come to understand as a part of me (probably ego) is trying to keep me from becoming aware of something that will necessitate some kind of change or letting go in my life. In short: these are all avoidance (and annoyance) behaviors.  I have come to understand them as avoiding G.O.D. behaviors, as well. 

Finally, I return to my office and slump down onto the prayer cushion.  The longevity of my attempts at meditation has given me a couple of good disciplines-one of which is a commitment that whenever I am wandering about without any healthy form of relief, I am willing to draw a tiny slip of paper from my ‘god bowl’ and do whatever the paper says.  Today is one of those days, and after only a brief internal argument, I pick a tiny slip from the bowl. IT reads: ‘Art’.  “Really,” I think “this makes no sense”!  But, I am committed to follow that little piece of paper.  My art supplies are downstairs in the basement, I have to go and find the crate I’ve tucked them away in.  I head for the basement, I pass through the kitchen and notice the pan of Tapioca pudding I started still sitting on the stove. I stop to stir it, see it’s ready to have the eggs added.  That takes up another fifteen minutes.  My squirrel mind circles back around to the original mission: art supplies.  I retrieve two or three crates before I find what I think I’m looking for.  I have too many felt tip markers to carry.  This gives me the idea that the crystal bowl in the dining room-the one I was going to give to good will-would make a beautiful marker holder.  

After a side trip to pick up the bowl (which did make a great container for the markers) I sat back on my cushion, with my recently retrieved sketch book and my G.O.D. journal. And I waited for inspiration.  I fidgeted some more.  

Finally, I reached over and picked up my journal and opened it revealing an entry from 9-13-13: “Our Song/Our Ode.  O.D.E. Our Divine Essence. What ode do we sing every day?” 

So…I pick up a pink marker and draw the outline of a single musical note on my sketch pad.  I hear the ode; Ode to the Soul, Song to the Soul, Soul’s ODE, soul’s song to the world.  I hear: ‘How Great Thou Art’ in my head: I write these words, in pink, on the page: “Then sings my soul, my precious song to thee: How great thou art!  How great thou Art! How great thou Art, Oh GOD. What you have created from the impulse of your being. 
…the created impulse of my being is Joy! Joy! My soul is singing!

That is how that little three letter word, a-r-t, and my commitment to discipline of doing what those little pieces of paper say, gave me back my centeredness and direction.   

This is my share about how the acronym G.O.D. works in my life!

http://www.allaboutgod.com/how-great-thou-art.htm  Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940)

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Refrain

P.S. Acronyms for G.O.D. 

                Grace On Demand

                Good Orderly Direction

                Grace Of Divine

                Go On Doing

                Great Omnipotent Dream

    Grace Of Discipline

    Giver Of Directions