Every day I take my morning cup of coffee and stand by the garden I tend.  I admire the creation of color, the foliage, and even how the weeds blossom.  I reflect on the places I have been planted in my life. I consider the weeds I continually have to pull to promote growth and beauty.

Discernment is a growing season. It is good to reflect on the places you have been planted, the colors of your personality, the gifts that have emerged, the experiences that have tilled your soil and uprooted your life, and the weeds you have pulled.

It is good to reflect on what promotes your growth.

Discernment is a gracefilled movement – reflecting on your life and embracing a future life where your garden can thrive. Smell the flowers, enjoy the color and be energized by the power of God. Then think of how your next garden may need to be planted in order to continue this gift of God’s presence.

The Thomas Merton prayer is a great discernment prayer (posted by Stefanie in a comment to “Creating Space for God” on Sept. 4). It reminds us that today is the day to care about. Today is the day we are worthy of Christ’s love. Today is the day we must trust the Lord to lead our way. The prayer also reminds us that we can have doubts along the way. Continue Reading

“When we speak about the path, we should keep in mind that there is only one path, and everyone who is going is on that one path.  It may look as if people were going in different directions; but as long as they are going, they are just on the path.” Brother David Standl Rast, OSB