O God. Where to start.

18Oct
by Jon Swanson

I know. I’m probably supposed to start differently than that, God. With a “Dear” or a “Most heavenly Father” or something. But it’s Monday morning and I’m tired from the weekend and I am absolutely convinced that when Peter talked to you, Jesus, he almost never started with “Dear Jesus.”

Never.

It was more like, “Jesus! I’ve got a great idea.” Or “Jesus! Don’t talk that way. That’s never going to happen.”  or “Jesus! Don’t do that.”

I don’t want to be like Peter, all argumentative. I know I am, but I don’t want to be. What I really want it to be able to hear you when I listen. But I can’t listen.

And this week isn’t shaping up to be a good week for listening. Meetings, travel, appointments, presentations. This is going to be a week. So I don’t want to be all demanding and telling like Peter, but I gotta tell you, I don’t feel like saying “dear.”

What I really want? I mean really? I really want a drink of living water because I’m tired of feeling so dry. I really want to rest, because I’m tired. I really want to know you. I mean really. So real I can touch, though I know and okay with the fact that’s not likely, at least not the hug you part.

(Although you understand the wanting to hug part, since you did make me with a need to be close.)

And I know that you offer people water and you offer rest and you offer peace. So on this Monday morning at the beginning of a busy week, help me be quiet. Help me stop drinking pop and be more thirsty for you. And help me be clear.

Please.

I’m asking as honestly as I know how.

Amen.

16 thoughts on “O God. Where to start.”

  4. Rich Dixon's avatar

    Rich Dixon

    Thanks for your vlunerable heart. So many folks think prayers, especially those of “professional” Christians, are full of pious phrases and flowery language.

    This is real. I know God heard it. I hope many others do as well.

    And I pray that you find some of that peace, quiet, and living water in the midst of the busyness.

    Like

    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      i got a nap. That was both a surprise and helpful. And probably an answer to the requests of my friends. (but don’t tell anyone that I was sleeping on the job). I can’t help, Rich, thinking often of the professional pray-er and the tax collector. One flowery, one gutwrenchingly honest. One heard by everyone, one listened to by God. I want to be listened to by God.

      And most often that is simply honest.

      Like

  5. Mimi Meredith's avatar

    Mimi Meredith

    As I head out in my morning to walk the dog and mentally prepare for my own week, I’ll send up little prayerful thoughts that you find just the replenishment your spirit needs tucked in between the to dos of your days. And I’ll hope, that in someone’s gentle embrace, you’ll say “There you are Jesus!” and you’ll know it is well.

    Like

  7. Jennifer's avatar

    Jennifer

    Thank you Jon. Those have been my words this morning – O God show up today in my life, because I can’t do this on my own. Thanks for putting my feelings into words.

    Like

  8. Jan's avatar

    Jan

    I lurk. This one brings me out. I hope it doesn’t scare you to know that your blog serves as (part of) my “morning devotional.” Don’t worry: I still read the Bible and make my poor attempts to pray. But your little reflections are helping me on my journey with /to God. Many thanks.

    Like

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