December 29: "Praying," Pulpits and Pine Forests, Healing and Thanks

Mary Oliver's instructions about talking to God . . .

Praying

by:  Mary Oliver

It doesn't have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try

to make them elaborate, this isn't

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

Prayer takes many forms--from pulpits to pine forests.  Oliver's advice on how to pray is pretty simple and beautiful:  pay attention and say "thanks."  Because, really, that's what it's all about.  Recognizing blessings, in blue irises or vacant lots.  In the darkest of moments, and in the most joyous.

This morning, I woke to a text from my wife's older sister.  Her husband had a heart attack last night and needed emergency surgery.  He's doing well.  I whispered words of thanks for that this morning.  Both my sister-in-law and her husband have helped my family and me a great deal, through some of the most difficult times of my life.  So, tonight, I asking for any of my disciples to patch together a few words for these two wonderful souls.  Words of healing and thanks.

My son went on a little trip to Mackinaw City today with my sister.  They met up with my niece and her family, and my son got to hang with one of his favorite cousins--my great niece, Abby.  He got home a little while ago, and he was actually a little talkative and--above all else--so, so happy.  Most of the time, he's a stereotypical grunting, surly, fifteen-year-old boy.  Of course, that spirit of talkativeness lasted only a few minutes.  But, I'm still cobbling together a few more words of thanks for his happiness, because he's been struggling these last few months.  (I think he, unfortunately, inherited my penchant for dark moods.)

So, I have a lot to be thankful for tonight:  my sister-in-law, her husband, my son.  For their love and healing and joy.

Saint Marty has walked through the doorway of thanks, and now he's going to stop and listen in the silence for another voice to speak.