Just a Touch

 

Archive  May, 2018

May 8, 2018

It was the summer of sixty-six. A group of high school students headed for a trip of a lifetime which included stops in five European countries and ten days in the U.S.S.R. (CCCP). So many relationships and friendships were formed during those Russian Language learning days and black market exploration nights (a long tale for another blog). But for today I am fixated on the moment my eyes were drawn to Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, more specifically the focus of just the touch of two fingers. I remember being mesmerized by a simple moment of creativity when a touch would not only give life to Adam but to all of humankind, that trans-formative moment. Adam, unafraid, received the likeness of God. For now, I will let this sit with you.

I Call on You

May 1, 2018

First memories of prayer~prayer at mealtime: God is gracious, God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Prayer at bedtime: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Prayers in community: the Glory Be, The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostles Creed and the Prayer of confession. Prayers were memorized and never personal or meaningful. They were a means to the end. And yet, even to this day, the repetition of these prayers are soothing.

Prayer is the conversation I have with God.  I talk, he listens.

Just as I cannot ask you to do something for me, I cannot demand that of God.  I cannot expect you to give me what I want or make things right for me. Nor cannot I expect God to give me what I want or make things right as I see them. But through conversation with God, we are in relationship. I can be me. I can become more like him. There is where understanding, wisdom, hope and comfort are found; in conversation with God.

As one who is readily distracted, prayer brings me back to God.