Take a deep breath. Breathe out slowly. Repeat. As you breathe in, imagine yourself inhaling a spirit of mercy and grace. As you breathe out, picture that mercy and grace going to the people around you, in your community, in your country, in your world.

Continue breathing, repeating these phrases to yourself as you picture God working through you.

(deep breath in:) “Breathe in God’s mercies.”

(breathe out slowly:) “Breathe them out to others.”

I don’t know about you, but these past few days I’ve needed to practice this centering prayer breathing. When the cases of coronavirus continue climbing: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When the country hangs on the brink of ballot counts: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When making decisions about next month, let alone next summer, seems too challenging: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When the pile of Advent-In-A-Boxes isn’t big enough yet: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When Nature Preschoolers get scared of viruses they can’t understand: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When LearnCliff students don’t want to do their virtual homework: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When too many Flood Buckets lay empty and unready: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When volunteers joyfully spend their time lending helping hands: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When summer staff excitedly return to build boxes and spend time in their favorite place: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When staff members band together to face challenges as they arise: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When campfires blaze under starry skies, and the only sound is laughter: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

When presidents change: Breathe in God’s mercies; Breathe them out to others.

 

Take a deep breath. Breath out slowly. Repeat.

 

Jocelyn Wildhack is our Chaplain and Camp Director. She is soon to be ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).