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Peace be with you.

Happy Monday!

Do you leave space in your life for God?

Do you allow moments of silence with no TV, film, podcast, YouTube, TikTok, other social media and the noise we are surrounded by daily?

I’m not asking if you pray; I’m asking if you listen.

The busier we get, the more important it is to practice this daily.

Making room for God doesn’t require sitting in a church, although that’s a great place to do it. These days, many churches are locked when there’s no service or mass happening, so you can’t just go inside and sit with the Lord in your moment of need.

But there are other ways when church is not an option. You can meditate or simply sit in nature and appreciate the beauty around you.

Meditation is quieting your mind so that you can hear God, feel His peace, and potentially gain insights.

Many people say they can’t meditate, but that’s because they think it’s an all or nothing thing. It’s not. It’s built on practice and intentionality. Very few people are expert meditators from the beginning. Our brains naturally try to fill empty space with thoughts. The trick is to recognize the thought and then let it go so you can get back to silence.

Like I said, it takes practice, and there are many forms of meditation. I actually have a book called “The Best Meditations on the Planet.” It’s about an inch-thick, and it covers so many ways to meditate that anyone can find one that resonates with them. There are also plenty of YouTube videos dedicated to different types of meditation, and many cities and towns have people who offer classes.

If you can’t convince yourself to try meditation, then the next best thing (and honestly, I’d consider it a form of meditation) is to sit in nature and just observe. Listen to the birds, the frogs, the sound of water lapping at the edge of a pond, the breeze through the trees, or the buzz of a curious carpenter bee.

If nature isn’t easily accessible where you live, then an alternative is to hang wind chimes and listen to them. Pick chimes that have a tone that resonates with you. For example, I have a set of Catskill Mountain wind chimes with beautiful deep tones that instantly put me at ease when I listen to them.

And that’s really all that’s necessary to make space for God in your life – sitting still and letting your mind rest.

If you’re new to the idea, just try it. That’s my challenge for you this week. Start with five minutes a day to sit in silence, meditate, enjoy the sounds of nature, or listen to wind chimes. Let your mind rest and give God a little space to grant you the peace that every single one of us needs.

Go forth and be at peace!

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