by Cathy Baker | Prayer |
It’s no secret that we can pray in any place we choose but there’s something {at least for me} about having a dedicated space that helps me to stay focused on God and His Word.
Moving into a smaller home forced us to downsize in every way, especially when it came to furniture. But one thing I rallied to keep was a 3 piece set from the first ice cream parlor in Simpsonville SC, and I’m so glad I did. Even though a 7′ farm table sits nearby, this parlor table found its own niche tucked between two large glass pane windows that frame the mountains quite nicely.
It’s at this table, that the various needs surrounding my day {dirty dishes, soiled clothes, dusty surfaces, etc.) fade into the background, fueling my engagement with God. It’s as if the brain knows this when I sit in that particular spot. If not the brain, then it must be the heart.
I remember when the boys were young my go-to prayer spot was on the end of a hand-me-down oversized sofa. Some days, I’d simply curl up, confident of my heavenly Father’s presence surrounding me. You know, when that kind of truth settles deep, it can change a person’s life. And it did. I’ll never forget that corner of prayer.
We all know there’s nothing magical or mystical about a particular place to pray. Being in a certain spot doesn’t reach God quicker or deeper. I think it simply signals to my body – emotionally, physically, and spiritually – that the temporal “stuff” needs to rest. Maybe the same is true for you — when the temporal pressures of the day begin to release their grip, eternal treasures gather both a brighter and clearer place in my mind and heart.
So, how do we find our own places of prayer?
- Seek out a quiet place. Seems obvious, I know, but prayer has as much to do with listening as it does speaking or quietly sharing from our heart. When I show up to simply spew my desires {even godly ones!} it feels a bit more like Santa’s lap than a Savior’s embrace.
- Find a “view”, or not. For some, a beautiful landscape, or whatever you consider to be beautiful within eyesight, can be a distraction. Not so for me but we’re all different and we need to find places that work towards focusing on God.
- Recognize that the most vital placement question is that of the heart. Does prayer have a place in our heart? In our priorities?
“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.
Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don’t want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of ‘good time’ is seldom in sync with ours.”
― Oswald Chambers
I’d love to know where you most often find yourself in prayer. Please share in the comment section below. If you’re searching for an inspiring post on prayer, there are many but this is one from Focus on the Family that covers a lot of bases.
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with me. Blessings!
by Cathy Baker | Ideas |
Who wouldn’t want fall to linger a little longer? It ushers in a season of crisp breezes, ripe apples, crackling fires, and a host of other sensory delights. I’m convinced heaven will be an eternal season of fall. {Of course, we know where that lands Summer. Sorry, Brian and other summer lovers}.
Today I’m sharing ten ways that will help us to embrace this vibrant season for all its worth. Some of these ideas include affiliate links (marked by *), but all opinions are my own.
- Read a Proverb every day…aloud. Don’t know which one to read? Choose the chapter that corresponds with the day you’re reading. Because there are 31 Proverbs you can’t go wrong! I’m often surprised by how His Word lines up with circumstances taking place on that particular day. Read it aloud to engage another sensory, leaving a greater impact that will help you retain the truths you read.
- Buy a new mug. I purchased a white-washed one at Target last week that reads “Warm & Cozy”. It reminds of chunky knit scarves, warm cups of tea and my beloved electric blanket. It reminds me of fall.
- For my literary friends, you’ll enjoy Novel Teas. In past years, I’ve bundled up individual packets of Novel Teas* to share with fellow writers, agents, editors, etc., at the Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference. (These would also make for great literary-lovers stocking stuffers!) See the entire birthday collection here.
- Savor a good book. Don’t rush it. Turn each page with purpose, taking time to underline meaningful words, phrases, and sentences. My two reads for this fall are “Jesus and the Beanstalk” by Lori Roeleveld and “The Story of With” by Allen Arnold (thanks to Lynn Blackburn’s review).
- Invite the spirit of gratitude year-round by gifting this to yourself. Writing notes of gratitude is one simple, yet powerful gesture to show other people how thankful you are for them. A Year of Gratitude* provides 52 thank you note cards along with tips on sending out a note card each week for a year. {Maybe we should start a gratitude challenge!}
- Take a country drive to stare at the stars. Since moving to the country one of my favorite destinations can be found outside on pitch-black nights. The stars cover the sky like a lit blanket. Rarely do I gaze upwards without Psalm 147:4 on the forefront of my mind: “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Bundle up, head outside on a clear night with a blanket, and consider your mighty God as you star gaze.
- Take pleasure in the sunrise and sunset at least once a week. I’m more apt to take a quick glance out the window to see the sunrise or sunset and then move on with my day. Maybe you are too. But one way to make fall linger a little longer is to embrace the fullness of each day. Why not begin with enjoying how God bookends our days? Pop on a warm sweater, pour a hot cup of tea and head outside to watch the sun rise. Ask God what He desires for this day. And as the sun sets later in the day, thank Him for the day and whatever it contained, confident that it was of His design for your life.
- Take pictures. Pack your phone or camera and ride to places that remind you most of the fall season. Maybe it’s a nearby waterfall, mountain, or park. Or maybe your photo expedition leads you to your own backyard. Take a snapshot of those things that will bring a smile to your face long after the season ends.
- Spend time with loved ones. Few things bring more enjoyment than spending time with friends and family. Go to festivals, pumpkin patches, take hay rides or pick apples. If you’re searching for fun ideas to do as a couple, Date Night Bucket List will go a long way in snuffing out the, “What do you want to do tonight?” type questions. My usual answer is “Whatever you want to do” which sometimes lands us in front of the TV watching army shows with bagged popcorn. But no more! Date Night Bucket List* to the rescue. Date prompts on birch wood sticks take all the guess work out of the night. (There’s also this one for families!) See the entire Anniversary collection here.
- Perform kind gestures. This might include raking leaves, picking up sticks and branches, or baking a loaf of pumpkin bread. Doing acts of kindness as a family is one way to instill the importance of putting others first into children and grandchildren. I know this firsthand as my dad was always chopping wood/kindling for elderly neighbors in the fall and winter. We would quietly stack the goodies by their door. The purpose wasn’t to receive accolades but to simply bless another person. Little did he know how his gestures of kindness would carry on throughout the generations.
I hope the above ideas will get the proverbial wheels turning to come up with your own ideas {please share in the comment section!}. As mentioned earlier in the post, a few of the above ideas include affiliate links to Uncommon Goods. Not only is it a store filled with unique and creative gifts it’s also one that values sustainability. This is seen in many of their products* as they offer handmade, recycled, and organic items. One thing I most appreciate when perusing their site is how they highlight their artists. I hope you’ll check it out for yourself.
Your turn! How do you help this season to linger a little longer?
Related Items:
-Jesus and the Beanstalk, by Lori Roeleveld {sign up for her award-winning blog and receive a free chapter of Jesus in the Beanstalk}.
–The Story of With, Allen Arnold (and Lynn Blackburn’s review}.
-The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference
It’s no secret that we can pray in any place we choose but there’s something {at least for me} about having a dedicated space that helps me to stay focused on God and His Word.
So, how do we find our own places of prayer?
Who wouldn’t want fall to linger a little longer? It ushers in a season of crisp breezes, ripe apples, crackling fires, and a host of other sensory delights. I’m convinced heaven will be an eternal season of fall. {Of course, we know where that lands Summer. Sorry, Brian and other summer lovers}.
