Just Talk…

God looked down from the holy height,
from heaven God beheld the earth and God listened…
From Psalm 102:20-21

During these stay-in-place days, I’ve discovered that the conversation with which I begin every day is more helpful than ever. I’ve shared before that not being governed by an alarm clock has allowed me to enjoy somewhat leisurely mornings. When we wake, my husband or I offer the other a good morning kiss. Afterward, he goes off to enjoy his first cup of coffee and I remain. I open the blinds and take in the view. Regardless of the weather, birds flit about, trees continue to green and the sky reigns over it all. That sky reminds that God is nearby. Though I have a favorite prayer from Psalm 91 which I offer every morning, I begin this encounter by simply talking.

I haven’t yet watched the too often dismal news. I haven’t yet checked my most recent to-do list. I have only to turn to God. Even on rainy days, I acknowledge that the images beyond my window illustrate God’s finest work. It’s then that God urges me to look at the reflection in that window. “You are my finest work!” God seems to say. In an effort to acknowledge God’s kindness, I respond, “I know, we humans are all your finest work.”

With that, I talk on… I share my heartbreak over the hungry and over those who don’t know where to turn to save their small businesses. I ask God to take care of essential workers in hospitals and at the grocery store. I marvel over the creative minds who work tirelessly to develop a vaccine and who find ways to deliver crops that might have been wasted to needy populations. As terrible as all of this seems, God and I enjoy the good that some of God’s “finest work” has managed to accomplish.

Finally, I join my husband to make breakfast with a far more positive attitude than I might have had. Though I’m never certain of what the day will bring, taking the time to begin that day with God changes everything for me. It will do the same for you, too.

Dear God, thank you for being with us always.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Just Another Curve Ball

“I have told you this so that you might have peace
in me. In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33

He said it again. When life throws my husband a curve ball, Mike usually responds by observing, “God sure has a sense of humor!” I admit that my response differs a bit from Mike’s when I’m the recipient of that curve ball. Though I tend to keep my initial reactions to trauma to myself, I’m sorry to admit that the tone of my recent posts indicates otherwise. You see, there is usually too much to do for me to allow myself the luxury of complaining aloud. However, during this stay-in-place era, I’ve had plenty of time to do just that.

Fortunately, something -or Someone- drew my attention elsewhere. I finally responded by turning my eyes upward to converse with the Lord God. After having my say with the One who I know always listens, I began to reconcile myself to the situation at hand. I actually calmed myself enough to discuss the current curve ball in our midst with a bit of calm. I closed that conversation with my own observation: “This is just a small reminder that we’re not in heaven yet.”

Though curve balls continue to fly fast and furiously, God is even more persistent in lingering around us. Though havoc reigns outside of us, God’s gentle peace calms us from within. Even when we fail to notice God’s presence for far too long, God remains…

Consoling God, knowing that your care is a constant makes all of the difference in our suffering world.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

God’s Here…

Jesus said to them,
“Why are you terrified,
O you of little faith?”
Matthew 8:24

I admit it. I become terrified, too.

When I was a little girl, I envied the disciples. I felt certain that if I’d had the opportunity to walk with Jesus every day, I would have made much better use of the time than Jesus’ contemporaries did. I would have had no doubt that Jesus could and would take care of everything I needed.

If you read these posts regularly, you know that I’ve asserted often that this is precisely the case. God has generously revealed Divine Love to me and for me throughout my life. I know without a doubt that God loves and cares for me and for every one of us. I know that God knows us better than we know ourselves and that God knows our every need better than we do. Still, though I believe this with all of my heart, when the chips are down, I sometimes join the disciples in being terrified. I admit that “sometimes” has morphed into “much of the time” as we battle COVID-19 these days.

The good news is that, in spite of their shaky faith, the disciples never forgot where to turn. They cried out to Jesus whenever they were in trouble. I’m happy to say that, in spite of my sometimes shaky faith, I also never forget where to turn and neither should you. God’s ear is always only a prayer away.

Loving God, I know I’m repeating myself here, but thank you for listening and for loving us so completely! Help those suffering most in this pandemic to sense your love very tangibly today.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

And So I Pray…

Then he said, “Dear God, please don’t be angry,
but let me speak just once more…”
Genesis 18:32

Our stay-at-home circumstances have allowed me to drift into contemplative mode more often than usual. This is usually a good thing. This week, however, I’ve had thoughts of the bittersweet variety. Today is my younger sister’s birthday. My only brother’s birthday will follow in a few days. The good news for both of them is that they are celebrating in a place far better than our COVID-19 ridden world.

Throughout their lives, I often wished that I could have made this life a little easier for these siblings. Since childhood, I prayed often for both. As soon as I had God’s attention, I pleaded and negotiated for this or that circumstance to take a turn for the better. By the time my sister and brother had reached adulthood, I’d become quite good at ordering God around on their behalf. I did this because each of them had weathered tough times and I’d too often forgotten that God had been with them through it all. Today, I have no doubt that my dear siblings would live their lives over again just as those lives were if God asked them to do so. They probably chuckle together often over my continued efforts to direct God’s part in all of this. Silly me!

Yes, I can be very silly in my efforts to order God to make things better for my fellow humans. If only I prayed something like, “Thy will be done.” Unfortunately, I more often plead that my will be done. After all, who knows better what my loved ones need than I? Oops! Yes, Lord, once again I acknowledge that you know best of all!

Loving and Patient God, thank you for listening and for responding to my loved ones needs with more love than I could ever hope for. Thank you, Dear God, for running things far more efficiently than I ever could. Amen!

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Talk To God

God knows what you need before you ask.
This is how you are to pray.
From Matthew 6:8-9

Every morning when I wake, I habitually pray, “Thank you for the sleep!” Afterward, I crawl out of bed, raise the shades in our bedroom and read a page from my favorite devotional. That reflection gives me a positive focus for the new day and reminds me to add some substance to that one-line prayer I mumbled earlier. The problem is that I sometimes head off to the tasks at hand without giving a thought to the rest of that prayer.

The other day, as I considered my to-do list, I found myself forwarding a list of “to-dos” to God. I communicated with my Maker and Constant Companion mechanically. There was nothing personal in this particular morning’s conversation. I was simply going through the motions because of the busy day which lay ahead.

I’m happy to report that this isn’t the way it always goes. Most mornings, I take note of the conditions outdoors as I raise those shades and I thank God again, this time for creation. After reading the reflection in that devotional on my dresser, I give thanks for the wisdom I’ve found there. Finally, as I mentally organize my day, I share my plans with God. I add the concerns of my loved ones and my own. I also invite God to interrupt whatever I’m doing whenever God chooses. After all, I interrupt God’s day all of the time!

Dear God, thank you for listening.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Y… Yearning

My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my soul
cry out for the living God.
Psalm 84:3

Y is for Yearning. Sometimes, only God will do.

After retiring from his first career as a school principal, my husband worked as a hospice chaplain. This work touched him deeply. Though we consider ourselves to be “God-aware” people, this experience brought new depth in this regard to both of us. Mike observed often that, when a patient seemed to have lost every means of communication, he or she somehow managed to acknowledge prayer. Whether by squeezing a hand, blinking an eye, smiling ever so slightly or whispering an “amen”, each one became present when it was time to pray. Even some patients who endured comas seemed to breathe more calmly when those around them prayed. When all else was said and done, God remained present to each one.

Though most of us are not in need of hospice care at the moment, we are all in need of God. When no one else can comprehend our suffering, it is God who experiences every bit of it with us. When we cannot mouth a single word to explain, God understands. When we cannot breathe without shedding more tears, God is with us.

In times of suffering when I feel that no one understands my heartbreak, I feel completely alone for only a millisecond. Within that instant, I realize that God is with me and that, sometimes, only God will do.

Merciful and loving God, thank you for satisfying my yearning for your presence. Thank you for truly being God With Us.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved