Developing a greater awareness of the work of God in our lives is something that we as people need to work on.  In our fast paced, hustle and bustle lives, we rarely take time to notice.  A familiar expression, “take time to smell the roses,” is a common admonishment for us to stop and to take stalk of what is around us.  To develop this awareness, we need to savor those moments and reflect upon them.  The more we savor those times with God, God’s word, or God’s creation, our sensitivity to the work of the Spirit will deepen.

     The Scripture tell us to, Be still and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10) We need first of all to stop.  Not just physically, but we need to be totally present in that moment, open to all that God is, his actions in our lives, the lives of others, and in all of creation.  To be fully present also requires a response. That opportunity for response, includes time to savor.

     To savor, is to taste with pleasure.  In Psalms 34:8, we read, O taste and see that the Lord is good.  In the moments that we notice the presence, or working of the Spirit of God, we need to smell the odor, taste and experience longer all that God has revealed to us.  We need to mull it over, spend time with it, and truly take it all in.  In so doing we begin to imprint those moments on our soul and in the process become more adept at recognizing them, when they happen.

     There are a couple of practices that help us spend more time with those moments.  The first one, being journaling.  Journaling, allows us to give voice to that experience, while recording it at the same time.  In the Old Testament,we can note times when the children of Israel read from record all that God had done for them.  Yes they were a record of things to remember, but I suspect that when they were recorded, that it allowed them time to savor what God had done.

     Secondly, sharing those moments with others.  Not just what you noticed, but also how the Holy Spirit used those times while you were savoring.  By sharing it with others, you are again giving voice to it and bringing glory to God in the process.  At the same time, you are again savoring the moment, and indirectly encouraging the other to be open to stopping and noticing the work of God in their lives.  Finally, the Prayer of Examen, is another opportunity to reflect upon and savor those times, at the end of the day.

     Have you taken the time to savor?  How is it that you do savor those moments?

Picture: Savoring a F.O._0328c, by hoyasmeg