The Little Details of Our Lives
Katie Elizabeth Kuhl of Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” -Luke 15:8-9
Many years ago for Lent I decided to add to my life by getting up an hour early to read the Daily Bread and the prayer for peace. This practice has enriched my life, as have reading and singing the hymns from Community of Christ Sings. Afterward, I think of those I want to lift up to God in prayer for a blessing-not for myself, but for their needs or in response to someone else’s prayers, so I will be prepared to be in the place where I can help.
Prayer has been my life line for strength and courage-sometimes just for little things. Recently I lost a very special earring. My prayer was, “God, help me find it as you know where it is.” I kept thinking about it as days passed, but I knew it wasn’t an important thing with all the needs in the world today. Then one day, preparing to go out, I reached into my bench where the scarves are. I heard something fall. My earring was there in a place I hadn’t been looking at all.
I was so excited. What joy I felt. I wanted to celebrate. I thanked God for the lost that was found.
Another time, I was putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It was all finished but one piece. It was a borrowed puzzle, and I couldn’t return it with the piece missing. Once again I sent a message to God to open my eyes to find it. I searched several times with no luck. Then one day I reached for my ironing board behind the door and there it was. Thank you God for opening my eyes to see!
So much is happening in the world today: violence, disasters caused by war and weather, accidents, loneliness. Finding an earring or a puzzle piece is so small, but it tells me God cares about me. Never give up praying about the little things in your life. God’s presence is with us in all the details of our lives.
Prayer Phrase
“… the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).
Spiritual Practice
Breathing God’s Compassion
Pay attention to your breathing and let it become calmer and deeper as you focus on God’s presence. Ask God to breathe in you. Imagine each breath carrying the light of God into your lungs, bloodstream, and every cell in your body until God’s Spirit fills you. Now imagine breathing out God’s compassion and grace each time you exhale, especially into places and situations in need of loving care. Give thanks to the Spirit, source of every breath, source of life.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
