Daily Bread Feb. 23

One Small, Faithful Step
By Marla Faszholz of Berkeley, CA, USA


When your willingness to live in sacred community as Christ’s new creation exceeds your natural fear of spiritual and relational transformation, you will become who you are called to be. The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your whole-hearted response to the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ. —Doctrine and Covenants 164:9b

Working all day
Paper work still to be done
Feeling a bit stressed
Uneasy that I couldn’t get more done.

Time to go to the produce store
Yes, a walk will make me feel better
Healthier than a pill I could turn to
I feel the weight of many things.

Responsibilities past and upcoming
Burdens other folk are bearing
How shall I soothe the gnawing feeling
that accompanies this awareness?

Overcast afternoon, but warm
Feels wonderful
The rhythm of the walking feels good
Grateful to be able to do this.

I notice an older woman up the street
Walking…no, shuffling…with a walker
How hard this must be, how determined she is
I glance to say hello, but she is looking down.

At the market, I slow my pace
to calm the “fight or flight” feel within.
Heading back home
At the edge of the parking lot

the same older woman has arrived
across two streets and down a steep hill
As I put my cart away, I wonder
Will there be an opportunity to say hello?

I turn and she looks over at me
Beautiful weather for a walk
You came quite a distance
I saw you up at the corner

Yes, a distance. I have to do it.

Hint of a smile as each step continues

That is a hard hill

Yes, it is indeed, and you did it well
Have a lovely afternoon.

Thank you. You, too.

I feel a mix of admiration and empathy
How long each little act of daily living must take
I hope she experiences some satisfaction
in each successful, intentional step.

I will watch for her on my walks to the store
Perhaps there will be another opportunity
for a pleasant exchange
Today she gave me a gift of perspective

A lesson
Patience to take one
small, faithful step at a time
My anxiousness begins to ebb.

Prayer Phrase

God is with us.

Invitation to Spiritual Practice

Holy Attention

Ordinary time is a season for awakening to God’s presence in all the details and circumstances of our everyday, ordinary lives. Wherever you are, pay attention to your surroundings. Allow yourself to be fully present for a time with whatever is before you. Where do you sense God with you right now exactly where you are?

How does today’s poem invite you to discover God in the realities of your everyday life?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

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