Simple strokes – June 19

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 87, 90; PM Psalm 136; 1 Samuel 4:1b-11; Acts 4:32-5:11; Luke 21:20-28

While in Huntsville, I attended a retreat on the prayerful meditative practice of Zentangle. After instruction on designs and techniques, we made repetitive small strokes on paper with nice pens. Archival ink, thin nibs, and a steady flow of color upon a page. Simple stroke after simple stroke, the intentional lines upon the small sheet of paper became an opening to meditation, relaxation, and enjoyment, where the goal is not perfection, but rather making one line at a time, bringing a sense of reflection and stillness.

Psalm 136 speaks to me as a source of reflection and stillness in scripture today. It is a prayer of grounding in God. It is a retrospective into the ancient times, naming and claiming the mercy of God that is wider, deeper, and more dependable than those things in our world that are passing away. Each simple verse – a lyrical stroke – ends with the same phrase, translated in our Book of Common Prayer as “for his mercy endures for ever.” 26 times. Tiresome? Perhaps…but as I think about Zentangle and the small intentional lines of focus, I find myself moving from a state of ignoring the words of Psalm 136 to a place where I listen and focus on each word.

God’s mercy endures for ever. (Okay, God shows mercy…what happens when I am merciful to others? Or am I merciful?)

God’s mercy endures for ever. (Mercy – what does that mean? It is sometimes understood as steadfast love or loving kindness.)

God’s mercy endures for ever. (The word ‘endure’ is implied in Hebrew…and the repetition 26 times is a symbol, perhaps, of the persistence and stability of God’s mercy.)

God’s mercy endures for ever. (For always and forever. Gotcha.)

Here is my takeaway today: faith in the Lord is a series of simple strokes – moments of our lives woven together into a tapestry. Not every mark is perfect; it does not have to be. Hebrews 11 tells stories of people of faith, those who have lived and tried to pay attention to God, having faith in the Lord one day at a time. God does not promise the road will be easy; in fact, there are scary, messy, and hard days. Yet, we are called to rest in God’s hands. Take a moment to find a space for reflection and stillness today. Feel gratitude for God. And know that God’s loving mercy endures for ever.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

What is a meditative practice that is helpful for you?

How does the word “mercy” resonate with you? What about the word “endure”? Where do you see God in those words?

Daily Challenge

Sit with Psalm 136. Pray through the arc of the story: gratitude for God’s glory, God’s role as creator, God’s role as protector and advocate, and ending in thanks to God who reigns on earth and in heaven. Listen for where you are needing God today: In gratitude? In faith? In healing of body or spirit? In guidance? Put those cares upon God and take five minutes to journal about your needs.