meditatio at the water's edge

Spiritual Formation
We talked about spiritual formation, rhythms of life, wholeness of life at the Emergent gathering in Santa Fe. It was a great conversation.

The question to ponder - do we too narrowly understand spiritual formation? It was suggested that intentional parenting and intentional family time can be understood as spiritual formation. Our use of money and the decisions surrounding it are also a means of spiritual formation.

I'm not sure these things automatically qualify as means of spiritual formation, but if they are done thoughtfully, with purpose, and considered within the context of our connections with God, I do believe they serve as a means of spiritual formation.

Anna asks me to sing "Step by Step" by Rich Mullins every night when she goes to sleep. It's been a ritual since she was six months old. She is now four. The words: Oh God you are my God, and I will ever praise you. Oh God you are my God, and I will ever praise you. I will seek you in the morning, and I will learn to walk in your ways, and step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days.

I believe it has become a means of spiritual formation for both of us. :)