Begin the rest of your day

right now

with a pause.

Think of one lovely moment

in your life.

When you:

Read a book to a beloved child.

Danced at a wedding.

Walked through a forest.

Crossed a finish line.

Had coffee with a friend.

For one minute, pause,

and think about your moment.

Set a timer

and let no other thoughts

enter your mind.

Duties and tasks

can wait for a minute.

Worries and anxious thoughts

can be quiet.

Whenever you find

yourself stressed, try it again.

And again.

And again.

There is power in a pause.

But they who wait for the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

Lord,

grant me the grace today

to do one thing at a time

without hurrying or rushing.

Help me to savor the sacred

in all I do, be it large or small.

By the Holy Spirit within me,

empower me to pause today

as I move from one activity

to the next.

In Jesus’ name, amen.