Lenten Devotional
By Julie Burroughs

Scripture Reading:

Luke 18:1

And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Reflection:

Recently, my family went to the second session of a new dog training class. We ran late, forgot Rocky’s harness and leash, and were all tired and more than a little discombobulated. Class went less than spectacular. I barely held back tears on the way home. Later that night, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept wandering with ideas how to prepare for class the following week to avoid disaster and make up for the poor performance.

Then I realized how much I have to be thankful for: my son’s maturity in getting in the car after class and apologizing for acting so loopy, my husband’s willingness to help and attend this class, his initiative to solve the forgotten harness and leash issue by stopping at a Petsmart along the way, and that we have a happy and healthy and eager-to-please dog.

As I realized one class-night-gone-crazy did not outweigh our many blessings, it occurred to me the best preparation for the following week I could do, was pray, leaving it in God’s hands. We still practiced “homework”, laid out stuff to go beforehand, and made sure to leave home earlier, but other circumstances did not stress me out the same. Did we have a perfect performance with no issues? Certainly not! But I enjoyed the time much better.

Praying about everything, especially even the smallest thing, if it is something that may worry me, is simply treating God as a friend.  Praying about my activities is showing a deep desire that I want His involvement in my life, my whole life.  As much and more than any friend, God wants to listen to whatever I have to say.  Nothing is the "wrong" topic!

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank You for wanting to be a part of my whole life and that no part of my life is too small or insignificant or unrelated to speak to You about.