Each breath a stepping stone to God

Nancy Tondy
Oct 31
2 min read

A reflection for November

Based on a meditation by Margaret Silf: “Inner Compass”

Person standing barefoot in a rocky stream or river

As I pray today, I imagine myself taking a step onto a stepping stone.

I am in God’s presence.

I am at the edge of a wide river. The river is clear and flowing with small eddies and currents around me.

Behind me on the riverbank is the little stone cottage that is my home. A place of comfort and safety. Ahead is the flowing, clear river, with no way to cross.

So, I wait, standing on the only stepping stone in sight, listening to God’s heartbeat in the sounds of creation all around me: the river, the birds, the leaves in the trees, the wind.

I wait, my feet feeling the cool, flowing water, felling the soft green on the hard shiny silver-gray stone.

Then Jesus is walking along the riverbank towards me. He stands beside me, and we gaze at one another in greeting. We look across the river. The other side is too far to see.

Together we begin to look for a stone to throw in the water ahead of us, to use for the next step.

Jesus gestures towards my little stone cottage, I know what he is suggesting. I feel a pang of sadness, of loss. But I feel brave with Jesus there. I nod my head and together we begin to use the stones of the wall of the cottage to be the stepping-stones, the pathway for my new journey.

It’s quite hard work, carrying the stones. But my breathing becomes steady, each breath a stepping-stone to God, each of my stones being used for my journey.

I am content.

Song for Meditation: Journey To Your Heart by Marie Dunne CHF, and sung by Patricia

Bourke D'Souza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yQQ6xj4RS4 (lyric/video)

As the new dawn breaks each morning,

And the sun brings forth the light,

The day with new beginnings bids farewell to the passing night.

Open up your heart to the path that lies before you

And do not be afraid to where it leads you.

Refrain: The journey to your heart

Will lead you to that place

Where you will find your deepest peace.

Find the path that leads you to that sacred place.