On Sunday, I received a phone call from my Dad. My Mom was in the hospital. Tests were being done, it could be her heart again.
As I waited for another phone call from my Dad, my mind went to the last words I spoke with my Mom. We had laughed about an ongoing family joke.... and that made me smile.
A few years ago, I talked with my parents only once every 2 weeks or so. Long distance can be expensive. Yet, now I talk with my parents, especially my Mom, every day. Why the change? Our cellphone provider allows free calls.
With about 675 miles between us, our phone calls keep us connected. Our conversations aren't important to anyone else. We discuss what we ate that day, books we're reading, Max's antics, and even "watched" sport shows together. We talk about her life and about mine; the same yet different. Over the past few years, through our talks, I've gotten to know my Mom better.
Communication is important to our daily lives. We communicate in a variety of ways: phone calls, texts, emails, tweets, blogs, face to face talking, etc.
This past Sunday, after I spoke with my Dad, I spent time having a conversation with God sharing my emotions and thoughts. Prayer is comforting in so many ways. It allows me to share my thoughts, feelings, and frustrations with God. Knowing that God, who created everything, is listening to me overwhelms me with peace.
Just as my conversations with Mom are providing me glimpse into her life, prayer teaches me more about God.
Prayer is not a vending machine—
say the right words and get what you want.
Prayer is the privilege of communicating with God.
Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. --Oswald Chambers
So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. --A.W. Tozer
Communication.
So simple. So vital.
So taken for granted.
The next time you have a conversation with someone, appreciate the moment. And as you spend time talking with God, adjust your mindset to one of thanksgiving and worship.
When the day begins 'bad news', the only way have a positive perspective is to spend time with God. After talking with God, it's easier to accept His will and move forward with a positive mindset.
My Mom is now home from the hospital and doing well.
