“The 3 R’s — Rest, Receive, Respond — is a contemplative practice that grounds us in God’s presence through rest and invites us to receive and linger in an encounter of His love before we respond out of spontaneous gratitude.”- Summer Joy Gross
“See what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”- 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
In Chapter 15 (“The 3 R’s: Saturated by Love”) of The Emmanuel Promise, Summer Joy Gross notes that this generous practice fits easily into the time you have to give it. Furthermore, you can practice the 3 R’s alone or in a group.
1. Rest. Take deep breaths to quiet your nervous system. As a result, you ground your nervous system. You say yes to being fully with God. Because, in order to build attachment, your nervous system must be convinced that you’re safe enough to rest in God’s presence.
2. Receive. Here you ask God for an image of His love for you. Thus, Summer describes this process as a 3-D polaroid slowly developing. Use all five senses to experience that image. Hence, Summer counsels, you build that image one slow gaze, smile, tender touch on the shoulder, and message of warmth and care at a time.
Finally, the author exhorts, stay right there and linger, soaking it all in. Because, to build new neuropathways, you must remain in the reality of this sensory-packed encounter with your Emmanuel for thirty seconds to three minutes.
3. Respond. In conclusion, Summer stresses the simple, but not simplistic, nature of this step. Above all, Summer counsels:
“Tell Him how you feel. . . . Responding to God keeps us from being a consumer of God. We are in a relationship, and relationships go back and forth. Receiving love. Giving love. Receiving. Giving.
As you receive this gift of God’s love from His generous heart, you run back into His arms, declaring, ‘Thank You, Abba!’ And His heart swells with joy because you are His joy.”
Today’s question: How do you rest, receive, and respond to God’s love? Please share.
Coming Monday: the August Short Meditation, ”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Breath prayer – abide with God”
