The Cabin
Grace Andrews of Independence, MO, USA
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. -Romans 14:19
Finding affordable vacations with our large family was challenging. One day I shared our dilemma with a co-worker and she suggested her mountain cabin in another state. We accepted her offer, made plans, and packed. We got directions along with the key to the cabin and we were off. Before long, we were in gorgeous country with huge trees and trails leading to a gleaming lake. It was simply ideal.
We found the cabin easily as evening settled in. Darkness would soon surround us. Dad went to the door of the cabin and inserted the key, but he struggled in vain to make the key work in the lock. Something was terribly wrong. The children sensed it, too, and gathered with anxious looks. They were tired and ready for dinner, which needed a stove to prepare. We were miles from home, and we had not seen any lights from other cabins on the way up the mountain.
Isaiah 59:9-11 says “…You shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am…’ Then light shall rise in the darkness and gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs…” I walked to a small grove of trees, and began to pour out my heart to God.
As I prayed, suddenly, I heard a “whoop” from the whole family-the door had suddenly opened! We didn’t use that key (which appeared misshapen) the rest of the week. We had a wonderful time together as a family, hiking, swimming, exploring, and always singing.
When I returned to work the following Monday, my co-worker rushed to me looking very alarmed. “I’m so sorry! I gave you the wrong key! What did you do?” Astounded by my story she declared there was no possible way the key she had given me would have worked.
But there is a way-when one depends on God, who cares for all of His creation and listens to our fervent prayers. Of all the vacation spots we found, our children recall most of what happened at that little cabin.
Prayer Phrase
“Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation” (https://www.cofchrist.org/enduring-principles).
Spiritual Practice
Embodying God’s Shalom
Find a way to express and embody God’s shalom. Begin by prayerfully listening to your longing for peace and wholeness. Become silent and imagine you can hear the groaning of the Earth’s people, nations, and creatures. Prayerfully open yourself to God’s yearning for peace and the divine vision of shalom.
What images, feelings, and words come to you? What prayer for peace comes to you from your time of listening? Speak or write this prayer. What act of justice, kindness, healing, or peacemaking does God invite you to consider this day?
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.
