Sometimes we think God only speaks in grand, sweeping gestures or experiences. We forget that God most often communicates to us through the little things. It’s important to remind our students (and ourselves) of this simple truth. But how can we remember to look at the details of our lives and learn to recognize God’s presence?
In the tradition of the Ignatian examen, Loyola Communications has designed a website called Other6: Where Does God Bubble Up in Your Life the Other 6 Days of the Week? Other6 is a beautifully simple and elegant site, consisting of translucent blue bubbles spiraling upward to the soothing sounds of wind chimes. As your mouse hovers over the bubbles you can read how other people have seen God’s presence in their lives. Here are a few examples from today:
“In my daughter’s elementary school. I love visiting my daughter’s elementary school, where everyone from the janitor up is involved in keeping small people safe and providing a place for them to grow.”
“In every breath I take, every beat of my heart. I find such peace these days. I am focused on starting my day with gratitude and prayer. I know God is in every beat of my heart, every breath I take, every thought in my mind.”
“In my coworker. I see such joy & faith in my co-worker. Her life is a daily testimony of God’s love & grace. God has blessed me so much by bringing JE into my life. There is much I need to learn from her faith.”
Clicking on a bubble brings up a small window that allows readers to leave a comment. Adding your own bubble is as easy as clicking the bubble containing a plus sign.
Other6 can be used in the classroom as part of morning prayer or for prayer at the end of the day. Students can take turns reading how others found God that day, or perhaps the students can leave their own observations. No registration is required to use the site.
I find Other6 tremendously soothing, and will often surf the web with the sound of the chiming bells in the background. I’d love to hear what you think, so visit Other6 and then come back and leave a comment. Maybe Other6 will be the quiet way God speaks to you today.
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