Friends,
I was thinking about our meeting together this past Saturday. I am amazed at how so many of us are in places that are uncomfortable: New jobs, shaky jobs, travel, school, illness and death, parting from places and friends we hold dear, waiting, watching, change. It is a difficult time.
I am thankful that we were able to spend the time sharing. We needed to hear one another. We needed to know each other. But after our time together, I thought about the struggles we are all facing and how the study planned for that meeting, at its core, would provide some solace to our spirits. I would like to offer a word or two of the study for your consideration and encouragement.
This passage is from The Book of Matthew study by Max Lucado:
“Do this. Change your definition of prayers. Think of prayers less as an activity for God and more of an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge his presence everywhere you go. As you stand in line to register your car, think, Thank you, Lord, for being here. In the grocery as you shop. Your presence, my King, I welcome. As you wash the dishes, worship your Maker. Brother Lawrence did. This well-known saint called himself the “lord of pots and pans.” In his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he wrote: ‘The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament’.”
What a challenge. What a wonderful call to living life in a different way. So much different than we live so much of the time. Worried about our jobs, worried about our bills, worried about people around us…when our attention should be on the God of the universe who has all these things in control. We live life as if our actions are the only force for change and miss the power of the Creator who is there with us every step of the way.
I know this is a big week for so many of you. I love you. You are in my prayers.
Blessings,
Curt
