Inspired by lyrics from “Step Back, Slow Down” by Sue Riley:
“I’m so caught up in all my stuff; no matter what I do, it’s never enough . . . .
Avalanche of paper, no time to read. A moment to myself would be a friend indeed.
Ninety miles an hour and standing still. If I don’t do it, nobody else will.
Step back, slow down. Smell the roses and kiss the ground.
Just breathe, don’t sweat it. Just slow down and you won’t regret it . . . .
Slow and steady is the way to go.”
Responsive Reading for September 12
“I will establish peace in the land, and you will lie down to rest with no one to cause you anxiety” (Lev. 26:6).
Step back, slow down.
Smell the roses and kiss the ground.
Just breathe, don’t sweat it.
Just slow down and you won’t regret it. Slow and steady is the way to go.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear …. Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them …. Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin …. So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’…. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow…’” (Mt. 6:25-34).
Step back, slow down.
Smell the roses and kiss the ground.
Just breathe, don’t sweat it.
Just slow down and you won’t regret it. Slow and steady is the way to go.
Jesus “entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.’ The Lord said to her in reply, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her’” (Lk. 10:38-42).
Step back, slow down.
Smell the roses and kiss the ground.
Just breathe, don’t sweat it.
Just slow down and you won’t regret it. Slow and steady is the way to go.
“The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul…. My cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Step back, slow down.
Smell the roses and kiss the ground.
Just breathe, don’t sweat it.
Just slow down and you won’t regret it.
Slow and steady is the way to go.