Wednesday Pause
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The Warmth of Love, Less Opinions, and Postures of Loving Presence

The Warmth of Love, Less Opinions, and Postures of Loving Presence

Wednesday Pause

JoyOver
May 08, 2024

Wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, what could it look like today for you to hold loving presence for someone or something in your life?

Whether it’s a family member, a coworker, or a situation that has nothing to do with you but you find yourself a part of, how can you offer a posture of loving presence?

In his book, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, John O’Donohue speaks of loving presence in this way:

“Love is anything but sentimental. In fact, it is the most real and creative form of human presence. Love is the threshold where divine and human presence ebb and flow into each other.”^[1]

As we continue exploring the soul work of love this month, and as you sit with the prompts in today’s PAUSE, consider where the invitation for “loving presence” might fit and apply to the lived experience of your everyday life.

—With Joy (and love)

Spiritual Director
Co-Founder & Content Director
[email protected]

Pause for Thought

“The soul needs love as urgently as the body needs air. In the warmth of love, the soul can be itself.” ^[2]

—John O’Donohue

Pause for Practice

Read through the following passage of scripture three times. After each read-through, let the text percolate in your mind as you notice what word or words stand out. Invite God to speak meaning through the word/s that surfaced.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” ^[3]

—Scripture Meditation

Pause for Examination

What person in my life needs less of my opinions and more of my love?

—A Question for Consideration

^{[1] John O’Donohue,}^{Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom}^{, pg. 13.}
^{[2] Ibid. Page 8.}
^{[3] 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, WEB.}
^{This months art illustration “}^{The soul work of love}^{” by}^{Dustin Heigh}

If you would like to share this issue of PAUSE with a friend—via text, social media, or email—hold down on the following link, and when the option window pops up, hit ‘share’ »» https://joyover.com/pause/may-8-2024
To explore free artwork for the practice of “Visio Divina—The Sacred Art of Seeing,” visit our library » » previous month’s offerings.

P.S. These dudes nail the comfort of “loving presence” purrfectly 🥹.