Pastor’s Corner “How I Talk to God”

Thank you, Immanuel family, for your prayers for me. I am grateful to report that I am recovering from the flu, regaining more of my energy each day. I had not planned on sickness being a part of my long, Lenten walk with Jesus. On Thursday, however, when I realized being unwell was going to last a few days, I prayed, “Jesus, please give me the grace to receive this sickness as a gift.”

I resisted the answer to that prayer, however, still struggling to get work done for God, refusing to accept the work that God was wanting to do in me. Saturday morning, I finally surrendered. I still felt terrible, but I did feel a sense of release and an awareness of the Lord’s care. Over the next couple of days, as I paid attention to small details, I also could “hear” God talking to me in small ways. That brought to mind a series of haikus by Kelly Belmonte in which she conveys conversations with God through unexpected but ordinary ways. I share it with you in the hope that it will help you listen to Jesus on your Lenten walk. It’s entitled, “How I talk to God”:

Coffee in one hand

leaning in to share, listen:

How I talk to God.

‘Momma, you’re special.’

Three-year-old touches my cheek.

How God talks to me.

While driving I make

lists: done, do, hope, love, hate, try.

How I talk to God.

Above the highway

hawk: high, alone, free, focused.

How God talks to me.

Rash, impetuous

chatter, followed by silence:

How I talk to God.

First, second, third, fourth

chance to hear, then another:

How God talks to me.

Fetal position

under flannel sheets, weeping

How I talk to God.

Moonlight on pillow

tending to my open wounds

How God talks to me.

Pulling from my heap

of words, the ones that mean yes:

How I talk to God.

Infinite connects

with finite, without words:

How God talks to me.

How will you talk to God today? How will He talk to you?

Your Pastor in Christ,