A Prayerful Look at Trees

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – February 7, 2015

A Prayerful Look at Trees

What an unusual suggestion! The prayer guide today had quite the recommendation for me. I still am not sure I can manage it. I’ve been praying about it! Not quite following it, but I will attempt to do so.

I am supposed to look for (or think of) two trees. One which resembles the kind of person I would like to be, and the other which expresses in some way the kind of person I see myself to be now. And—I need to decide what I need to do in order to change from the way I am now to the way I would like to be. Or—the way that God wants me to be.

This is complicated. First, the idea of a tree that is somehow stunted or not completely hale and healthy comes to mind.

I know I am not completely healthy. I have very poor eyesight. If I were not born in a first world country with access to glasses or contact lenses, I would be out of luck, as far as seeing anything more than nine inches or at most a foot away from my eyes. Second, I had a stroke when I was a teenager. My language center was affected. I may not seem—outwardly—like I am markedly different from most other people. And, perhaps I’m not. But, I seem like I am. I notice little things, like my hesitation at finishing sentences, and how I sometimes stumble over words. Those are two big areas for me. At least, they seem big.

Second, I think of a tree that is healthy, green and growing. I think of the tree represented in Psalm 1. I am not only in good physical health, but also in good mental, spiritual and psychological health, too. I can see myself stretch out my arms/branches to the sky, and my feet/roots grow deeply, connecting with the source of food and drink, health and all good things.

But how to get from where I am now to where I want to be? Other than asking God for help and working—one day at a time—to do my best for God, wherever I am placed,

Did You hear, God? Please, help me to do my best. For You.

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Why not visit my sister blog, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

Instead of a Gratitude List? A Thankfulness List!

matterofprayer blog post for Saturday, November 29, 2014

Instead of a Gratitude List? A Thankfulness List!

In this thankful season of the year, I am going to write a Thankfulness List. Of course, this will be an abbreviated list. Only the high points, or what I can think of to write today.

God, I am going to address this list to You. You are the main One who matters, anyhow. So, this will be my Attitude of Thankfulness List. (For today, at least.)

Dear God, I am thankful for:

• My family. I saw all four of my children yesterday, and I love all of them so much!
• My family’s health. My immediate family is in good health, as are my siblings. Amen!
• My husband. He is himself. A one of a kind guy. When You made him, God, You absolutely threw away the mold.
• My job (which I love). I love providing pastoral care, preaching, teaching, love, concern and leadership for the church and congregation I am privileged to pastor.
• My home. My condo is a warm, friendly, welcoming place. Thank You, God!
• Plenty of food to eat. And, additional food to give away to food pantries.
• A working car, computer, telephone, electricity in our home, and appliances to make our lives so much easier.
• Sufficient clothes and shoes to wear. Plus, good things to give away to resale shops.
• Wonderful music to listen to, books to read, and DVDs and movies to watch. In addition, the ability to make music, and write books and stories.
• My health, since I celebrate a sobering anniversary—I had a stroke as a teenager on November 30, almost forty years ago. Other than some slight issues with my speech, I have been in good health ever since, for which I praise God. Thank You, dear God!

So, yes. I can praise God for all of these things. Perhaps I will write another Thankfulness List sometime soon.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I have so many things I can thank You for. And, I know I missed a great deal of other things I could be thankful for. Please, help me–help us to see where we can have a giving heart and open hands towards others. I truly want to spread the thankfulness and gratitude around. Again, God, thank You for everything You give to us, every day. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

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