Paying Attention

Today is the first day of Advent.  The worship service at the UCC church was full of light and metaphors about the coming of Jesus.  One of the Bible readings was from the Gospel of Matthew and talked about being prepared; staying alert.  The pastor's sermon included words about Paying Attention.

I began to "free style" on the term Paying Attention (ironically meaning that I was no longer paying attention to the sermon)...

I thought of a dear friend of mine who is often saying that is what we humans are here for: paying attention to one another and being careful with each other.  How are we careful with one another? By listening and watching each other carefully: by paying attention and then keeping our fool mouths shut.

I noticed a baby that was fully attentive.  It struck me that she was facing backwards, looking at all the people sitting behind her.  That baby was more engaged with the community than any of the rest of us were.  She was studying all the people around her.  She was intent on their faces and their expressions.

I kept scouring my brain for a quotation that several of my friends use, especially my yoga instructor.  It is still there at the edge of my memory.  Paraphrased: To pay attention is our only...  Google found it for me! “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” -- Mary Oliver

So, this will be my intention for Advent this year:  To pay attention to God and to you.