So, I was listening to a Ransomed Heart podcast a few months ago where John and Morgan were talking about what they called "micro-practices" - small things that are simple, accessible, and sustainable to help you pull out of the matrix for just a few minutes. During the conversation, John mentioned that he had a stick on his desk and that he would play with it for a few minutes a few times a day ... pick it up, tap it, twirl it, etc. as a way to disengage from the artificial environment he normally works in.

It sounded interesting to me and so I thought I would give it a try. Like many of us, I work in front of a computer all day. In a well managed, artificial environment either air conditioned or heated depending upon the season. With a decent desk and a somewhat ergonomic chair.

I started with the shell on the left. I chose the shell because, not only is it real, but it reminds me of one of my favorite places in the world - North Myrtle Beach, SC. Next I added my own "stick". The stick reminds me of another place I love, the woods and mountains of the Appalachian range on the east coast. Most recently, I added the stone. The stone reminds me of the small creeks I spent countless hours "adventuring" in when I was a boy on my grandmother's farm in southwestern Virginia.

For me, these three pieces of reality have become a small, daily rescue. A few minutes of peace. Of re-centering. Of remembering. A few minutes each day of re-connection to who I really am and my small story inside of The Story. Just a small thing that, over time, opens a place in my heart to experience God and his goodness and disconnects me from the fake and artificial. A micro-rescue; but one I so very desperately need.