The holidays have been hard for quite a few of my friends: Friends missing loved ones who passed this year—some suddenly, some expected; friends struggling through anxiety and depression; friends missing kids (and other family members) to divorce; friends missing kids they are struggling to have; friends stuck in abusive homes; friends dealing with the affects of mental illness; friends who are lonely; friends continuing to grieve the loss of loved ones from years past.
It’s hard to know what to do for persons feeling so much hurt. It’s hard to know how to help. And yet I find myself doing one thing constantly—even when I don’t know how it “works”—I find myself praying.
I made a puzzle a prayer. For the three hours that it took to put it together, I prayed. (And I think maybe my mom did, too, because she knew my intentions for the puzzle.) With every piece that I put in, I prayed. I offered prayers for strength, peace, endurance, light, love, and healing for a friend whose husband recently passed away. I will give her this puzzle when I see her next and every-time she sees it, she can know that someone was and is praying for her as she works her way through grief. I may a puzzle a prayer.
My breath is a prayer, too. So often, when I know nothing else to do, when I’m in the midst of deep sorrow and hurt, I breathe my prayers. According to mindfulness practice, I breathe in the dark, stale air and breathe out light, fresh air. I imagine Jesus filtering out all of the junk and leaving only that which is good. According to Conscious Discipline (CD) practice, I breathe in and then I wish well. CD practice has nothing to do with faith, and yet, one of its main practices is, in my estimation, a prayer—a hope for something more than what is seen—a standing in solidarity—a wishing well. Breath is a prayer, too.
And so is “Dear God…” That’s it. Dear God…and then the thoughts flow…right into the very heart of God…
The holidays have been hard for quite a few of my friends. It’s hard to know what to do for persons feeling so much hurt. It’s hard to know how to help. And yet I’ve found myself doing one thing constantly—I’ve found myself praying.
Dear God…*Breathe in. Breathe out. Wish Well*…May this puzzle give strength, peace, endurance, light, love, and healing…*Breathe in. Breathe out. Wish Well*…Amen.
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