A Phenomenon of Impossibility

September 18, 2018

Beloved:

             A little one in church this week had an especially hard time sitting still.  At children’s story time she roamed up to my lap and then took a lap around the room on her way back to her seat, sing-songing all the way.  Later we had a little chat, about how important it is to listen.  As if I know anything at all to be giving her advice.

             Of all the time I say I spend at prayer, it’s but a fraction that I’m praying.  My thoughts wander like a herd of goats to every corner of my mind.  Things I need to do today . . . what I ate last week . . . the weeds that fill my garden . . . is that bird a rooster or a hen . . . is that a freckle or do I have cancer?  Nothing is too small a speculation to pull me from my prayers.  Every saint I’ve ever read reports the same phenomenon:  the impossibility of prayer – along with its grace; how, despite its aggravations, the very act of trying has some way of righting the world just a little more.  One says that his prayers are like a donkey that keeps escaping from the barn.  The work of prayer is gently leading him back every single time.

             For all her wiggly antics, the little one at church loves church.  She’s always glad to be there.  She dances during hymns and sings when it’s not her turn.  She passes out hugs like candy canes on Christmas.  Who’s to say she’s not way ahead of us, when it comes to knowing how to be when we come before the Lord?  Do take care, dear people.

~ peace & prayers,
pastor annette