Pause-ibilities have great benefits

     The Pause, excerpted from Come to the Feast by Fr. Richard N. Fragomeni.
     Let's begin with a paraphrased portion of a short story by Keith Davis, called "The Pause."
     Worry and work had prevented a stressed and pressured executive from doing any serious Christmas preparation, even shopping.  But in his line of duty, he had helped a woman in the company with personal problems, and she and her family expressed their gratitude several times.
     On the afternoon of the Christmas party, she came into his office with a "Merry Christmas," and a series of gifts.  He opened two or three gag gifts and then one box that was empty.  She explained that she knew he was too busy, and she was offering him a pause.  Just some blank time and space.  She said he needed a pause.
     He reflected years later that he had never forgotten the gift, and it was the gift he cherished most that Christmas.  It was the one he used most often.  He knew his life was full, and he needed some leisure time, but he never bothered to take it until he received this beautiful gift.

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     We too need to take a pause, all of us.  Life has a way of speeding by us, if we let it.  We have full schedules, overloaded task lists, homework galore, and you can probably add more of your own items.
     Our spiritual life can use the refreshment of a pause too.  Can we sit down and talk with God for a few minutes or even one minute.  God wants us to build up that relationship.  No matter where we are, we can talk to (and listen to) God.
     Each of us will have some different ways to connect with God, but the important part is that we do something to get closer to God.  God waits for us to take the first step.  The pause-ibilities are up to you!