We hold the space for God

​​Lately I have been talking a lot about ‘holding the space’, as sometimes that is all I can do.
 
This can just be holding the space for me to breathe and be present to what I am doing or experiencing in the moment. Recently I lost a good friend in Unity. I felt a little shaky and knew all I could do in that moment was feel my feelings and grieve, holding the space for love, as comfort and peace, to arise. In doing this, the tears came along with the love – it was a beautiful healing experience.

It can be holding the space of affirmative prayer, for all those who reach out to us at Silent Unity, and all whom I hold in prayer. When I pray, I know my 'work' is to hold the space to know God as love, life, joy, peace, etc. is here, present and working through them and me. Then I can let go – I have nothing to do other than know – God is here as ultimate goodness expressed.
 
In each instance, I am holding the space for God as Divine Heart and Mind, to be felt and known in, through and as me and you. (I write about this a lot because I have to practice it a lot!) In taking time to become still, centred and present, my busy, critical mind feels safe: now it can quieten down enabling peace, love, joy, etc. to become our connected reality.
 
Recently, I realised that I have learnt, from my dear mother, to respond critically when under stress. Mum uses it as a coping mechanism to bring more control into her life as, like most of us, she was not taught to recognise her needs and feelings, let alone express them in a peaceful way. Instead, we often get resentful, critical and stressed. When I respond this way, other people then struggle to respond authentically and peacefully.
 
This realisation helped me understand my mum better. It also helped me realise this reaction was not me – it was a learned response from my mother. My authentic self is calm, wise, loving and can express needs and feelings without being angry or critical. It was a huge realisation for me. In saying, ‘this is not me’ – I have made space for my authentic self to shine. I have apologised to my husband, to Paul, for all the times I have been critical of him, often without realising what I was saying, and asked for his understanding as I learn and practice a new response. This is setting me free to let my inner light shine more brightly, experience the freedom this brings, and be present more authentically to those around me.
 
I invite all of us to hold the space for God – let love, wisdom and understanding into your body, mind and heart. As we do this, we are changed and life around us changes. In the midst of all we are seeing on the news and around us – let us hold the space for God.
 
Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK