I'm in the middle of change. Not just from the seasons, but also from my life.
As I work to create a new routine for myself, a daily devotional is part of it. Today, since is was Saturday, I had no time constraints. I have a wonderful Catholic Bible that lets you color in some designs in the margins. I find that the coloring is just as healing as reading the words sometimes, especially now.
Today I clocked myself. I do a P.R.E.S.S. format daily study, and actually, a lot of that is coloring time. From seven until seven fifty-two I did my study.
I started out in my notebook--you need to write as you study, it is how this P.R.E.S.S. works--with the P--praying to God. And I asked for help in different areas. I was totally honest and wrote many lines, almost a full page. It's not easy for me to ask for help, but with God I can and I do.
Then I opened the Bible randomly, and found a picture to color, and I did. You fill in the words. And I just don't think when I color. I'm calm, and just focus a little on what I am doing.
After that I read the chapter. It was Tobit 13. It's one of my favorite books in the Bible. I've posted a link to that book before once here, I remember. Anyhow, that's the R is Read.
E is when you think about what is actually happening in the chapter. And in this one it was Tobit giving thanks and praise to God.
S is when you see how it applies to you, in your life, here and now. The Bible has the ability to carry with it more than one meaning in the words. So I searched deep inside to see how it felt it applied to me, and wrote it. Short writing, just a line really, in my journal.
S is share then, and I figured for the day my energy would be enough of a share because I had studied. My energy would rub off on people I meet.
Well, I thought I was done. I wrote down the end time, and put everything away. Then I felt a nudge.
God wanted me to write down all the things I want to get done before I go to work. Feeding pets, shower, breakfast, exercise, Bible study. I did it and wrote down next to each item how long I would expect it to take. I included my commute. Everything with no rush.
Then I back calculated when I would have to wake up. It was like, three in the morning! Just to get to work on time. And with my Monday later start I could sleep in until four.
That's when God made me realize how much I need to depend on Him. Because there's no way I could do all that. Not every day.
It was after that realization that the help came from God. And I wrote it, word for word. Guidance just for me, in my every day life. It felt like time stood still! There was this feeling of connection, of being Home, as we were talking, really, as I was listening and writing everything down.
That's when God asked me to write how long everything took. And surprisingly, the end part, both the writing of the schedule and the 'download'--only added fifteen more minutes time! It felt like much longer.
So even though I didn't write this right away, this morning, as I had an appointment...I'm writing it now. God says that this is enough. I sense it was to be an example of how long some things take. Yes, when I did Bible study like this without the coloring, every morning, when I was first taught, the goal was about fifteen minutes total time. But the surprise for me was the bonus time tacked on to the end of today's study, and how incredibly helpful it was. Writing is important. It activates a part of the brain that otherwise doesn't get engaged by passively reading. It also leaves a written record of prayer requests, and you can go back and review or remember things to see how far you have progressed.
Ross wants me to make a special mention to those who have experienced Religious Trauma. Carla is sharing a method that she has found works for her. There is no more meaning to be inferred by her example. Not what is 'right' or 'wrong'. We are sensitive to what it triggering to some individuals and respect this immensely. However, the ability to be quiet and alone, to study and journal with a written record, and the amount of time needed to take (as well as the coloring!) are the learning points we wish to share with you today. Ross specifies that many of you enjoy writing with the keyboard in this day and age! Ross says 'it doesn't have the same effect as the writing by hand when it comes to activating the part of the brain which is very healing. The hand and the mind are connected when we are using a pen or pencil, not the keys.' Whether you wish your study to include the Egyptian Book of the Dead, or perhaps instead the Kama Sutra, applying the structure and framework of the P.R.E.S.S. and journaling it will certainly apply. No questions asked! What matters is to find a book that 'talks to your spirit' and has wisdom you can glean from it.
clap! clap!
Aloha and Mahalos,
Namaste,
Peace,
Ross and Carla
The Twins
