In his book, "Altogether Gift A Trinitarian Spirituality" Michael Downey makes the following point about practices of the spiritual life. He says, "Practices of the spiritual life help us to realize our destiny as receivers of God's gift, and to live freely from that gift. Thus, at the heart of the Christian spiritual life is the spiritual practice of receptivity, a rigorous discipline through which we learn how to receive and celebrate the gift of God's giving." (pg 138)
The practice of receptivity does not come easy to me. I'd rather be in charge of my life. I learned again last night, when Jessica gave me a book she had enjoyed and thought I would enjoy. Some 50 pages into the book, the gift she gave is unfolding for me with each page I read.
I continue to be grateful for the ways and times that my children have been my teachers. Before becoming a father I was not aware of how much I would learn from my children. So, today I work on the spiritual practice of receptivity.
"A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." (Ps 51:19b)