Category Archives: Contemplation, Devotional, Inspirational, Meditation, Prayer, Spirituality

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Don’t Forget to Pray

Sometimes it seems a little crazy but it’s so easy to push your prayer out of the way when there are too many things grabbing your attention. It seems like when I’m busy, I get out of the habit of taking the time for lengthy prayer sessions. I don’t mean to ignore my praying but I find it easy to get distracted. I read the word easily enough but the praying seems to take a back seat.

You see, I get distracted by my own thoughts. I don’t have the TV on but I’m busy with other things. I know what I need to do. God knows the way to help me. I need to ask Him. I need to trust that He will help me. Ever since my stroke I’ve had some trouble concentrating. That’s part of it, anyway. I should ask God to help me…when I pray. That seems kind of weird but I think I’ll ask Him.

I know God delights in showing us His truths. Prayer is a foundational component of the Christian walk. I think of the prayer warriors I’ve known. They don’t advertise their times of prayer. My mother just popped in my brain. I remember her well. She would have her Bible in her lap and a pencil and notebook in hand. After she cooked our breakfast, my sisters and I had our fifteen minutes of practicing the piano before we would catch the bus. Mother would sit on the couch and I believe she was praying for us and the day we would have in school and for the days and weeks ahead.

Every day was the same. Mother’s Bible was well marked. I especially remember her ‘quiet time’ before we went out to take bus to school. I wonder if my siblings remember this. I wonder what my children remember. Do they remember me praying? I hope they do. Quiet people of prayer are responsible for great movements of God. Our prayers mean a lot to God. Yet, not all prayers make it. We need to pray to God, not pray for the approval of our sisters and brothers in the faith. The sincere prayer matters.

Every person prays according to their uniqueness. But their prayers address the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. It is quite wonderful when you think of it. We get to talk to our Father in Heaven. We honor, praise and worship the Son of God. We are taught by the Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together and we get to be a part of their work on the earth!

Whenever we pray we are addressing Them. It is mind blowing to think of it. Why should God even want to hear from us? And He loves us. He cares for our needs. God is making us into His children forever and ever. And we get to talk to Him. Praying is beautiful, worthwhile, endearing, hard work at times, from our heart to His, and much more than this.

God teaches us to pray when we are interested in learning. He guides us to when we decide to listen. I love to listen for Him. He speaks in the stillness. His voice often comes when I have been seeking Him a while, and then, the thoughts from God take a majestic appearance. I don’t actually hear Him, but they’re as real as real can be. His words are quiet but firm. They speak loudly to my whispering soul. It is quite special when He speaks, for He waits for me to be ready. Sometimes I am not ready. Sometimes He doesn’t speak to me. Sometimes He is waiting until the time is right. But then, oh then.

Christians tend to get a lot of things backwards when it comes to spiritual life. I know this by my first hand experience. You can’t make God talk to you. He comes when our attitude is right and when He sees fit. He works in His own way. You want to hear Him? Wait and ask. Seek God and you will find Him. Trust Him and you’ll be glad you did. Find Him and He proves that He is worth the wait and effort it takes. God loves us. I am so glad He does. Be patient. Be kind. Be courteous.

Thank you for reading my post. God be with you. Any questions? I’ll do my best. Again, God Be with You!

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The Meaning of Lilacs

–2014– from the lilac bushes of which I speak.

I have loved lilacs ever since the first year we lived at that old farmhouse with the lavender lilac blooms. There is an analogy that can be made which relates to their beauty and essence. In some ways our moments in life are much like a lilac bush in full bloom. Star-shaped florets gather together in a burst of lavender bloom. Their fragrant scent is an over-powering sensation that drifts in the air on a slightly warm spring day filling in the space with a rich sweetness. Bees buzz and hover making the most of the petals’ offerings.

A season does not disappear before I clip some fragrant lilac sprays. I search to find my trusty red clippers, head out the door and then I take time to look over the lilac bushes, my eyes searching for the perfect blooms. I settle on ones with no hint at brownish dying florets or tight unopened star-tips. I make my selections and then, snip-snip. Once clipped, I trim off any unwanted stems or leaves. Now the blooms are ready. I arrange the lilacs in a blue-glazed vase. The lilacs are ready for display with their rich scent and delicate beauty.

Lilacs Speak of Life

Lilacs are gentle unassuming flowering bushes, they’re hearty stock. They require minimal care, no fuss or special treatment. In some ways our lives are like one tiny star blossom, one seemingly insignificant floret. We are one of many. The people we meet touch us and we touch them like a hundred florets bunched in a ribbon of glory. All together it is breathtaking at times when they’re in full bloom. Not fancy, just pretty and useful.

Each small lilac petal is like a life, my life, your life. Human interactions have a shared purpose with a loveliness all their own. When a person looks at the whole bush of lilac blooms he or she sees a thing of beauty. Yet, without the root it would be nothing. Without the stem it would be nothing. Without the leaves it would be nothing. It would be nothing without water, sun, or nourishment. All are essential and necessary for life. The lilac will not have capacity for beauty unless certain conditions are met.

How God is Like a Lilac

This is true for us as well. In the human realm, God is the ultimate nourishment for a life of beauty, which produces and radiates fragrant loveliness. The roots absorb the nutrients. And that is the way scientific world is replete with examples. DNA differs, characteristics differ, but life-giving qualities are essential necessities for life to exist.

I see God. He provides the spiritual nourishment we as humans need for living a healthy spiritual life. I also see Him in the sunshine, the energy force that is needed for life to exist. Living beings, plants, animals, and humans, in this created world are creatures of commonalities. Our life may not be much in the grand scheme of things for it is not prestigious or unusually gifted, but like one miniature star petal floret, it is one life that can and may be a blessing.

So on this day reach out and touch someone who would be blessed if you do. We all need encouragement. Your call or visit will be just what they need. Reach up, reach out, and reach in. I’m including myself in this directive. Best to you today, and I mean it…for today and always. Your friend and sister in Christ, Norma