Reading the Signs on the Path in 2021

Learning to read the signs of Divine presence along the spiritual path takes some practice in noticing, showing up, and tending to the small markers that may appear. Part of my spiritual practice involves journaling as a means of paying attention to the daily occurrences and noticing what they are saying as a collective theme throughout the weeks and months of a year. These are the things I often bring into my meeting with my own spiritual director, sometimes not even noticing the obvious marks and connections until they are offered and shared with another.

If you’re considering what practices might accompany you through 2021, consider using these four words and questions as focus points of praying from your every-day experiences. These four elements can be used for any kind of regular rhythm of prayer (daily, weekly, monthly, etc…) They include Practice, Presence, Perspective, and Peace. The following prompts may help get you started, but make them your own in any way you choose.

Practice: What were the spiritual practices that have helped bring me to awareness of the sacred in the ordinary, as a means of drawing closer to God?

Presence: In looking back on this day, week or month, what do I notice has been my priority and how am I bringing this focus point into the presence of God?

Perspective: Has there been any kind of shift in my mood, attitude, or thinking in these last few days or weeks and how am I meeting God in this place?

Peace: Is there an invitation to something new in attitude, action or belief? How will I live into that invitation on my spiritual journey in the days to come?

May these words become stepping stones on the Divine journey through 2021.