June 3, 2026

I had the opportunity to just sit outside enjoying my cuppa in the early (for me) morning, that and a bowl of berries. Spending time enjoying the farm and a fresh summer morning. After attending the KIFA (Kansas Interfaith Action) Annual dinner in Kansas City, stayed the night with the parents; I made good use of a spot of down time-just doing nothing for a morning.

I watched the stoic heron claim a spot on the banks of the pond. I surprised myself how long I watched the sizable flock of geese walk along the pond damn with their young. They took their time walking along single file, until they disappeared in the tree line.

The miniature highland cows were just starting their morning…some grazing….a couple considering getting in the pond. The sounds of birds and a breeze blowing. I finished my cuppa, readied another, and decided to just “be” for a bit longer.

I often say, that I really do believe what I preach, and this past Sunday sermon came to mind, because I had to intentionally resist the urge to open my phone and scroll. Sometimes I do read off my phone, and too many other times it is mindless scrolling.

Snippet from my sermon:

We have more information at our fingertips than any society before us….yet the wisdom only comes when we know how to apply it. Is it a case of knowing more and understanding less? We take in unprecedented amounts of information- endless streams of content.

We have discovered that our attention spans are getting shorter. Silence is hard to handle. Staying in the present moment, and not multi-tasking is hard. Tasks like praying, reading, and relationships suffer.

I realized I was collecting wisdom, even though I was just sitting and “being” but also reflecting. It is a good thing to reflect on life, family, friends, and the world and the beloved community we work to co-create. I admit, I do this practice of reflection when I journal or college journal; but to just sit and “be” hits a bit different. I need the reminder that I don’t need to multi-task or be “productive” by the empire’s standards.

Some of you maybe thinking, “I already have too much “reflecting” time on my hands.” I get it. I still encourage us all to take a beat, find a place that is not the usual, and just sit with the wisdom that comes. I definitely think that a spot outside is also life-giving and helps us recognize a world bigger than each of us individually.

Taking some time like this we begin to understand the world/empire works to keep us constantly stimulated. A few moments of “being” [especially outdoors] we open ourselves to all that is around us. We understand that we are not alone. I would name my quiet morning, with a good cuppa, and just being, is an experience God’s presence.