Saturday 21 April 2012

An Attentive God




You may or may not know (or care) that I walk to work most mornings. I try, where possible to make this into a spiritual time. Actually I walk Fruit of Womb Two to the bus stop with the dogs first but  the combination of school chat, mad Jacks, stinky poo bags and the old man I talk to in the park make any kind of spiritual activity there impossible.
So later, when I walk to work, the idea is that I use the time alone to connect with God. That's the idea. Sometimes I listen to books etc.on the old MP3 thingy. Sometimes I try to pray. If I could have written the word "try" in the previous sentence in big shiny pink glittery letters, I would have done. Because "try" is indeed the operative word. I thought I might share this prayer time with you. The normal font is how my thoughts and prayers are supposed to go. The italics are where they often really go. All names have been changed or left out or both.

Leaving House
Lord, as another day starts, I just want to commit it to you and all that is about to happen in this day that you have given us.
Did I actually lock the door? Ooh look - number 5 are having their windows done.
Lord, first of all I want to thank you for all that you have done for me. That I am still here and for the life that you have given me with all its challenges and joys.
Bit heavier on the challenges than the joys if I am totally honest at the moment. 
For my family as we go our separate ways today. For HOH at work and FOW 2 at school and for FOW1 as he..
Rats. Don't think I told FOW1 to put the washing out and he'll never think to do it. Students. Pah!


Walking down Road to Park
Father, I just want to commit.......... to you. Help her as she makes decisions about her future with all the things she has to consider. Give her wisdom and peace and a balance in her life.
Speaking of balance, watch it here. Last time you weren't paying attention here, you caught your foot and went flying. There was blood and tears and scar tissue. Wonder if people see me every morning and think. "There's that woman that fell over."
Lord and for..................Haven't seen him in ages. Keep watch over him.
Wonder what "Shellac" is? Says it there in hairdressers.


Entering Park
Father and for family far away.  Aunty....... and ........ as they go on their cruise.
Lucky so and sos
And for our church and the work that is going on all the time in the local community. Bless those who work so hard and show me ways to support them.
Squirrel! 


Crossing road after leaving park
Father help me to commit all aspects of my life to you and not to try and carry them myself. Help me to be kind and thoughtful.
"Same to you stupid driver. I was too looking!"


Approaching work
So Lord today, help me to appreciate this world that you have put me in. Lord it is too wide and deep for me to comprehend but let me be aware of your hand in all things and give me wisdom to deal with all things today.
"Oh no. Think the rough sleepers have pooed in the car park again."


As you have probably guessed, I have not shared this with you so that you can be impressed by the profound depth of my prayer life. To be fair to me (and I am always fair to me) this is not all that my prayer life consists of,  but I share it to reiterate that God, for reasons that totally escape me, in interested in all aspects of our lives. Even though he is more than aware of how many times I fail. He is listening. He is paying attention. He is able to help me do this better.But for now he is working with the crumbs that I sometimes give him. It really is amazing don't you think?


It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will.
John 9 The Message







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8 comments

  1. You are truly cracking me up. Thanks for that. I'm always fair to me, too. And I mostly crack myself up...often!
    Happy Weekend!

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  2. Oh Martha, you have so completley summed up what my prayer time is like, that I can't stop laughing. I will be sharing this Blog with my Homegroup this week!

    It's such a good job that God knows what we would have liked to pray as well as what we did actually manage.

    Arwedd xx

    P.s. Thanks for stopping by my Blog and joining up. x

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    Replies
    1. No thank you. And thanks for the support. was slightly worried that this would bring down lots of people tut tutting but no. Thankfully!

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  3. Brilliant! This is so well put. And no of course it is not just you. We all struggle with this - so it is so good to see it laid out here in an honest, and humorous, way. I'm glad to find another Martha who is trying to find her way to connect with God however she can. I appreciate this and will definitely be checking back!

    Thanks
    Claire

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  4. Hi, Just to let you know I have nominated you for an award. You are are no obligation to accept as I know not everyone likes this kind of thing, but just to let you know I am enjoying reading your Blog.

    Arwedd xx

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  5. Love it - except that I can't even claim to be a NearlyMartha. This matches my prayer life, but I'm not a doer but a day-dreamer. Had that drummed into me by my active mother throughout my reading / day-dreaming / writing life. Oh, well. I s'pose God knew what he was about when he made me...

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  6. Isn't that so true...and yes He is interested in even the little things in our life...He enjoys being with us.

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