 March/April 2000 (XXXVIII 2) |
read Thom Jeavons' General Reflections in PYM News for January/February 2000 and wanted to give you some reflections of my own.
Whether or not others feel this way, I don't know, but, for me, the word prayer carries a great deal of "baggage" from childhood that is both heavy and mind-constricting. What prayer seems to require leaves me tongue-tied.
I prefer the word conversation. Years ago I found that I can have a conversation with God, a personal and rewarding exchange that doesn't carry any baggage. Something like this:
"Well, God, you see what a mess everything is in here," I might say, knowing I didn't have to explain. "I've done everything I can and nothing has worked."
"Hmmm," God responds kindly. (God is a good listener.) "You've done everything you can, now what are you going to do?" (God is tough.)
I complain some more, but God only repeats the question. I started trying to figure out what God has in mind, and, soon afterwards, one of two things happens: I see something I had been blind to before, or I get the sense that life will soon create a situation that will reveal a sure sense of direction to me.
I relax and begin to smile. God smiles, too.
Rebecca Osborn
Lehigh Valley Meeting (PA)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM