I like to read and I like to listen to others. I usually pull something out of the ordinary and think about it for a minute or two and move on...but occasionally I will hear or see something that tumbles around a little longer and then it slowly makes its way down to my heart where it nudges me, makes me question, causes me to grow...recently my eyes and ears volleyed back and forth between this conversation:
Dad: How come you are not praying at meal time?
Boy: I give thanks at other times so as not to get complacent.
Dad: *Brow lift, heart weight evident...goes into silent prayer.
Boy: Waits respectfully...then begins to eat.
I thought long and hard about this...for days.
Do I cut time out to pray because it is a convenient habit? Because it is part of the schedule of my day?
Then I began to examine my prayer itself.
There are certain times, especially at meal times, when my thanksgiving could be delivered by my tongue alone because it knows the feel of the words by repetition.
I happen to know this boy spends time with God. He upholds the name of Christ through his convictions, his music, his friends...so my heart is not concerned about this nonconventional thinking.
I do spend time with God...quality time when I can pour from my heart e v e r y t h i n g and lay it to rest at His feet...
but those other moments...those perfectly polished sounds that roll forward out into the ears of others...do they reflect complacency? Am I being nudged by a Father and His Son?
These are the things that are tumbling around today.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
4 comments:
i had this conversation with my husband just two days ago....not about giving thanks at mealtimes...but praying....and repetition.....bryan said....God knows what is behind the words...they may be the same day after day, but he knows what is in your heart that causes the asking.....sometimes i don't feel so eloquent with words....but we don't have to be....i hope i am not complacent even though i may be repetitious!
good thoughts, joni.....
a verse that has meant a lot to me "keep your heart with all diligence, for our of it spring the issues of life."
have a wonderful day,
kimberly
wonderful word's and thought to carry along with us everyday. Love Nettie
Beautiful thoughts. I agree it is so easy to mouth a prayer that our heart isn't really in...which is almost like taking our Lord's name in vain.
We go to supper at the church on Wednesday nights. Of course we always say a prayer. One night Carley Ann had to stay with us at the table rather than going to her Mission Friends class. When the prayer was over she shouted YEAH!!! and clapped with joy.
After all, that's what we do at home...except we clap because she said her memorized prayer all the way through and we are proud of her.
Well, the folks who heard her (and that was almost everyone)smiled and said how precious... but the pastor spoke up and said, well, she has the right spirit, we should all be so happy to talk to God that we would clap and shout with joy.
Just had to tell you this story Joni. I knew you would appreciate it. :)
What else does it say? Pray without ceasing. That means keep a prayer in your heart and mind. Okay, I'll hush. :)
This ramble is all your fault for giving me another thought to dig deeper on.
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