dailydatewithgod

When we learn to take a closer look at how our internal reality is effecting our external reality the real world of exploration begins.  One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from the French author Marcel Proust. “The real voyage discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” It speaks to the idea that as we grow and learn the eyes through which we see the world changes.  Also, as we learn to clear the lens from the internal eye, the clearer we can see.  The internal clearing is that of our hearts and minds.  When we discover ideas and feelings lurking in our hearts that disturb us or surprise us it is important to embrace them.  By acknowledging and accepting them as what is we meet ourselves where we are.  We cannot change or alter the direction of our vision by wishing it were different or shoulding it away.  The lurking elements of ourselves only have power when they stay in the shadows or concealed by shame. Our internal awareness means we can bring them into the light.  We can reach to God to find the place of compassion for their presence and allow them to know they need not lurk about unknown anymore.  If we are willing to be courageous we can make enough space for them to find what is underneath the lurking elements.  Most often it is an attempt to take care of ourselves while well-intended also has or has had adverse consequences in the landscape of our lives.  I cannot say that each time I discovered a part of myself lurking in the shadows that I jumped to embrace it.  The first quarter or so of my life I ran from them, told myself I was bad, and stuffed it down with food. In recovery, as I sat in rooms where people shared what was lurking in them and how they learned to not hide them my courage to face what was lurking in me.   With it came the willingness to share what was lurking within me with God on our daily dates.  In the space of our time together I found God to not have the contempt or fear that I had of what was lurking in me.  It was then that I came to know God as a power greater than myself.