Adorable Kitty Fire-Pose Number 759

I have lit the fire for Grayson, and drug him out of his normal nap spot over to it, so that I can watch his adorable kitty fire-poses.  I love the way he opens himself, slowly, to its warmth.  Beginning in a tight little ball, hunkered down over his paws; opening himself to it gradually, turning this way, then that; until finally, he is sprawled out like a drunken man in his bed – limbs thrown out, body contorted, paws open to receive every delicious drop of warm firelight.  He is a picture of utter delight, or soon will be – he is only to stage two, relaxed, curled up in an ordinary napping position. 

During my prayer time this morning, I began by sensing the mantle of spirit energy that seems to envelope me.  I allowed myself to become more and more aware of it, and as I did so, it seemed to grow in its ardor, like a fire that is stoked.  As I became more aware of it, I realized that I was opening to it more and more and that it was infusing me at the same time, sending wonderful rays of love down into me, searching the ground of my being, seeking to connect with the center of my being.  This is the invocation of the Spirit, I realized, and so I began to recite the familiar words of the prayer that I learned years ago at Cursillo:  “Come, Holy Spirit:  Fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love.  Send forth your spirit, and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.  O God, who by the light of thy Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that we may be truly wise, and ever enjoy your consolations.”  As I lay there, enjoying those holy consolations, I realized that the Spirit was doing its morning cleansing ritual, centering my being in love, collecting me around that center, ordering my life, my priorities, dispelling my fears, setting my inner compass.  I, on the other hand, was doing nothing but surrendering control, letting the Holy Fire have its way with me. 

That Holy Fire will lead me, perhaps where I might not otherwise choose to go – today, that happens to be my mother’s house.  It is no matter.  I am happy to go with that Holy Fire anywhere it leads, for I have begun to worship in the temple of its constant presence, carrying within me the fulfillment of my heart’s desire, kindled anew each morning in a morning-prayer ritual, a dance with the holy, living flame of love. 

I know if the flame ever begins to dim, that I can summon it back again – not with words, for now to me the words of invitation are mere symbols, not the actual act of invocation:  the true invocation is an act of loving surrender of the will.  It is born of an awareness of the Spirit of Love that already surrounds me, and that seeks to penetrate my being, to enliven me, to saturate every cell of my being with its gentle grace-infused energy.

I am becoming more courageous at work, more natural, more myself, I think, than I have ever been.  I am becoming the non-anxious presence that Jim mentioned recently.  That is easy to do, since I am no longer in control, and since I am on intimate terms with the One who is, and trust my Dear One with everything, including my life. 

Oh, life is so very easy these days.  My life has become as simple as Grayson’s – eating, bathing, sleeping, and wandering about in wonder, noticing everything.  Then returning to rest in the glow of the fire. 

There he goes – adorable kitty fire-pose number 759.