There are times when my prayer time takes a hit or maybe I should say there are times when my prayer time really seems dry and pointless. Yesterday, it was really hard for me to remain focused and to remain centered. That sense of simply going through the motions without any sense of God’s presence really pervaded. Part of it is my own anxiety and the increasing burden that the pandemic is placing upon us with each passing day. The “what-ifs” keep growing and the lack of answers are torturing and exasperating. That said, this morning I felt much better.
The rollercoaster moves onward!
Something that I have come to really value is the Ignatian principle of “Finding God in All Things.” Yesterday, when I wasn’t really feeling all that great I took and step back and paid attention to the world outside my window. We have lots of wildlife, at least for this neck of the woods. And with the advent of May they seem to be everywhere. We’ve got squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, tons of birds, cardinals, blue jays, even a turkey. They just keep keepin’ on, doing what they do and, you know, in the bigger picture of things I find this very comforting. It provides me with much needed perspective because what immediately comes to mind are those words of Jesus, “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”
And so I consider the squirrels, the rabbits, the chipmunks, the birds, the cardinals, the bluejays, even the turkey and they all seem to be doing okay. God is taking care of them. As a result of this, my question to myself is: why wouldn’t he take care of me? And the answer is that there is no good reason or answer. He will take care of me, and he will take care of you, simply because we are loved in Christ.
Peace,
Pastor Geminn+