Posted on June 1, 2023
I’ve recently started writing out my prayers every morning. It starts with a long list of gratitude as I reflect on the blessings of the previous day: the cool morning air and birdsong coming through my open window while I practice yoga, breakfast in the garden, library books, lunch with a friend, etc.

From there I move on to prayer requests for people I love. As some of my family were preparing to move to new towns, my prayers have been that God would lead them to churches where they could grow and serve. After writing this out for several days it occurred to me that this would be a great prayer for people in general, not just those searching for new churches. In fact, this would be a great prayer for me.

For a few years now I’ve been praying to have open eyes, ears, hands and heart; wanting to be open to new opportunities to be a blessing. I still like this idea, but now I want to be more intentional. I want to ask God each day to lead me where I can grow and serve. Growing usually comes from trying something new, and perhaps even out of our comfort zone. This past year for me has been a lot of new, and my comfort zone has been expanding. I think that’s how it’s supposed to be, ever growing and blossoming.

Today I was led to a new opportunity, teaching yoga to several people in wheelchairs at a nursing home. On previous visits I had noticed how many people show up early for Bingo, which starts at 2:15. My suggestion to the activity director was that I could lead them through some gentle yoga from 2:00-2:15. She really liked the idea, but I wasn’t sure what people would think of this new activity. They had come early to socialize not exercise.

We moved through neck stretches, shoulder shrugs, lifting arms overhead, twisting from side to side. After that we moved on to legs and feet. From there I told them we would end this class the same way I end all my yoga classes. We lifted our arms overhead, palms touching then lowered our hands, placing our thumbs to our foreheads for kind thoughts, to our mouths for kind words, and to our heart centers for hearts that are open to both give and receive kindness. My heart was so full to see everyone participating. Perhaps this is what blossoming feels like.