Article January 3, 2000 Issue

Take a well-deserved break

Pause often for spiritual refreshment.

Judith Haugan Ryan

Everyone From Construction workers to stay-at-home parents looks forward to some kind of break from busy schedules—whether it's lunch time or nap time. But there's another kind of break we can each take that's more than just getting away from it all—a spiritual break.

I have found a prayer written by Mary Baker Eddy to be a helpful daily refreshment: " 'Thy kingdom come;' let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" (Manual of The Mother Church, Art. VIII, Sect. 4).

I love the word let in this prayer. Taking a spiritual break provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge God's place and role in our lives, to ask for His guidance, listen for His direction, and develop a plan for following where He leads us. This "letting" process also suggests that we take a break from our own agendas to allow His reign to be established in our experience. Turning frequently to God in this way helps us see how He is active in our lives.

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