Find your unique voice

I am getting used to the bird song outside my window every morning. I began to be aware of the beautiful sounds when I started my daily hour of prayer, just being in God's presence. The birds have been there all along but I have never been attentive to them, being too focused on myself and all that I need to get done. In the hour of quiet prayer, that self focus is intentionally set aside, in order to turn one's attention to God. Turning away from the self is not easy at all. Even in the quiet, darkened room, with a lighted candle, the busy self and its agenda still call out for attention. In the early morning hour there are fewer external distractions. The day has just begun, and fresh (well, sometimes not so fresh) from a night's sleep, the mind should be freer for God.

Earlier on, the bird song represented background music that I would notice if missing but could not say much more about. But as time goes on, I have begun to note the different voices represented by the bird song. I cannot recognize the birds by their call but I do know that there are several bird species out there. Each one sings its own song, each one begins the day praising God, content just to be itself. This thought struck me deeply one day. It seemed to be God's reminder to "just be yourself" and "give voice to who you are". There are times when I have to speak to groups on some aspect of the spiritual life and this is something that I still struggle with -I have never got used to it. So in my preparations, I often 'try too hard' hoping to be relevant and interesting. And in the end, I am no longer being myself nor giving voice to what God has placed in my heart and mind. After witnessing the uniqueness of the birds, I am aware that the best 'message' does not only require well researched information but also requires that I share with others how it has impacted my life. What I say is most authentic if I also share myself.

The main purpose of my writing this blog is to give voice to who I am....in particular, on this journey to becoming the Beloved. There are temptations to be more relevant, to provide more interesting information, especially when I compare my ramblings with what is provided by some of my fellow bloggers. However, I do not want to lose my main purpose, which is very important to me. Writing as I do, more or less journaling, helps me clarify who I am, and also who I am becoming. It seems that at this stage of my life, at mid-life, I am finding my unique God given voice.