I am fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world, by a great little town, in an amazing house built by my hubby, filled with memories and enough junk to make 100 of me content. My life is truly a blessing that I cannot take full credit for.
Part of me feels like I'm not the most prayerful person. I don't regularly say my bedtime prayers, I miss Mass for no good reason on occassion, and my prayer book, Bible and rosary sit ideally wondering why it is they came to live at my house. I keep promising them I will put the to good use one day. My grandma assures me I will. On my last visit to her house she made me realize how it's not always possible for a busy mom to get in memorized prayers or read the Bible. But when I'm old like her (her words not mine) and don't have to chase after screaming kids, I can concentrate more on formal prayers.
That's all great for the future, but prayer is important now too, so how do I get it in? My dad talks about how he thinks his mother was always praying. Even though I didn't get to have any in-depth conversations with my grandma about prayer, I would have to agree with Dad. She was a quiet woman who offered all she had to others.
My house is filled with family treasures, gifts from friends, and the love our family shares. I have endless chores to accomplish and kids to keep track of. This is when I pray. I pray when I use my pots and pans, because my grandparents gave them to us when we got married. I pray for family friends when I see the tea pot sitting on the top of the cabinet and the old hutch sitting in the dining room. I pray for the people who have graciously given my children cute outfits and those darn toys I trip over. I pray for the really hard stuff and offer it up when I have to do things like scrub the floors on my hands and knees or clean the bathrooms. I pray when I load the dishwasher for those who have to live without food. I pray for my kids when I am frustrated with them. These aren't long prayers, just quick little snipets. It's not perfect, but it's working for me.
See I have realized that all good things in my life have happened because I have let go and let God. The blessings that have some my way are because I decided to listen to Him and let Him take control. I am human. I cannot make this happen for myself and truly be happy.
So well said, Liz...
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteWell said.
Keep on praying in 'snippets'. It worked for me for years. Your family, chores and daily duties are your prayer at this point in your life. Done with a grateful heart they are precious to God. Each time you nurse Miri, or read with Deegan and Mazee, or rub the knots out of Troy's back at the end of a long day you are living the beatitudes. That is prayer.
Soon enough you will have the time for longer prayer.
Blessings Mom