Page 2 - Grace Mail September 21

Dear Forever Family
I’m sure you’ve probably consulted a map or two in your time, and they can be particularly helpful when they have a red dot and the words, “You are here!” to help you orientate yourself in an unfamiliar place.
Much of the time, however, we find ourselves
in very familiar
places and
spaces. We’ve been here before many times. It’s still true, though, that “You are here!”
One of my
favourite
writers and podcasters, Emily P Freeman, would add: and it matters.
The other day she shared how sometimes she would travel and explore new places and yet still fail to pay attention to exactly where she was at any given moment –
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she would be so focused on particular destinations that she’d miss the little villages, or humble streets along the way.
Do we go through our lives like that, failing to pay attention to the quiet moments, the mundane moments, the moments when we
are simply here? Do we miss the small conversation, the moment when we walk into the room and someone else recognises us and smiles? Do we miss “now”
because we’re focussed on, or worrying about, tomorrow? Do we stand in front of a beautiful scene and think about the deadline coming up, or when we have to leave? Do we get caught up in sadness and miss the joy, or distracted by celebration and fail to notice the quiet, heavy heart?