photo by me
Still, I’ve been thinking about prayer. My custom for many years has been to have a quiet time right after I get up. I will read something spiritual (the Bible or Christian writers that I admire), think about it, and then write my prayers for the day on 3 x 5 cards in little spiral notebooks. The reason I write my prayers is that if I don’t, my mind will wander off faster than a thirsty dog, and the next thing I know I’m wondering why I can’t hit a four iron. Writing them helps me keep focused. Of course, after I write them I say them out loud, just in case.
Karen keeps a prayer notebook too, but I think it’s mostly to remind her of things she wants to pray about. My wife absolutely loves to pray with other people. She will remind me that Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” She and her sister Laura close just about every phone conversation they have with prayer. Our daughter Bethany is not a pray-er (yet) or I’m sure Karen would do it with her too. As we’ve gotten older, she and I pray more together (lately, after we watch the news or before we venture out). It’s a healthy thing for a husband and wife to pray together.
Nowadays, I’m trying to figure out “…praying without ceasing…” I’m positive it doesn’t mean becoming a monk. It seems to be in keeping with my #1 retirement goal: learning to abide in Jesus. The key to abiding is realizing He is present. If He is present, why not think to Him? (Talking to Him out loud in public can weird people out.) Think to Him about the virus and the quarantine—about those you love—about anything that is bothering you—about making dinner—about hitting that four iron. About everything.
Which brings me to my title… My very favorite place to pray is sitting on my back porch. I have this huge live oak tree in front of me, on the golf course side of the fence. I like to put my head back in the chair and pray. Last year when I did it, I saw three specific gaps in the leaves, revealing clear blue sky. I thought of them as the Trinity. Fanciful I know, but it worked for me. Only this year those gaps grew over. And this is the year of corona, when my prayers seem to be of greater concern and anxiety. But God changed my perception. Now He is the live oak tree, absolutely covering my whole field of vision (see photo), arms widespread, assuring me that whatever the problem, whatever the concern…He has got me covered.
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