God is at the tip of our scalpels, our screwdrivers, our computer terminals, our dust rags, our vacuum cleaners, our pencils and pens. He is with us in our wheelchairs, or on our hospital beds, when all we can do is sit or lie flat. When we envision Him and His purpose in what we do, then we begin to grow aware of His presence in the middle of it. We are able to engage in our inward conversation with Him as we work, naturally, without strain. He becomes our partner, our collaborator.

Have you ever written a letter you knew you could never mail but you needed to write it anyway?

You have to know when to prod and when to be quiet, when to let things take their course.

How do we accomplish this matter of gathering life together in God? We must begin primarily by refocusing our attention keeping our minds and hearts directed toward God. The essence of the centered life is attention to God in all we think, say and do. It is the growing realization of His presence in our most down-to-earth living.

If you need something from somebody always give that person a way to hand it to you.

We become what we pay attention to.

When compassion wakes up in us, we find ourselves more willing to become vulnerable, to take the risk of entering the pain of others.