Thursday, September 29, 2022
praying
I joined a Quaker Prayer Group on Facebook a while back because I figured that praying for people was something I could do, and even wanted to do, and it would only be a matter of time before I'd want people out there praying for me. In fact it makes a huge difference to people if someone out there cares about them, cares enough to pray, and sometimes just knowing someone is out there for you is enough to make you turn the corner toward recovery.
I have never really asked God to change the way a situation would work out. I have always figured that God would do what God wanted to do and nothing I said or asked or even wanted would have that much effect on it. Now I could be wrong about that; if my caring or wanting things to work out makes a difference, then maybe I am underestimating the power of prayer or should simply ask directly for more, ask for money, ask for whatever. But generally when I pray I don't ask. Putting things in the hands of God, I trust God to do what God does and then send my best love to whomever I have chosen to pray for.
Now I've noticed something from the Quaker Prayer site, which is that praying has been enormously good for me. I have not yet been on the receiving end; that is, I have not asked for prayers yet, even once, though I have a lot of dicey situations around here. But just praying for others has made me feel very connected and has given a channel to some of my worry that goes out mostly to my poor children. It has eased the stress somewhat like opening a pressure cooker.
Today someone asked for prayers for a friend on Cape Coral, Florida, who had chosen to remain in their home and now could not be heard from. I did it without question. I kind of bit my tongue and just prayed for them. It is generally my policy not to ask questions, or find more details, or in this case judge them - why did they choose to remain in their home? It was a classic case where a question just stood there waiting to be asked. Someone else may do it, but not me, I'll just pray for them, because now what's done is done, they're there, nobody can hear from them, and who knows what God is doing or even what Hurricane Ian is doing.
This was true during covid as well, when people's knowingly risky behavior put them in harm's way and the rest of us sat here judging them. In the end, I think, judging doesn't help much. Praying does, but it helps mostly me. It's not going to put them out of harm's way or make the water go down in the canal behind their house.
Or maybe it will - who knows?
I have never really asked God to change the way a situation would work out. I have always figured that God would do what God wanted to do and nothing I said or asked or even wanted would have that much effect on it. Now I could be wrong about that; if my caring or wanting things to work out makes a difference, then maybe I am underestimating the power of prayer or should simply ask directly for more, ask for money, ask for whatever. But generally when I pray I don't ask. Putting things in the hands of God, I trust God to do what God does and then send my best love to whomever I have chosen to pray for.
Now I've noticed something from the Quaker Prayer site, which is that praying has been enormously good for me. I have not yet been on the receiving end; that is, I have not asked for prayers yet, even once, though I have a lot of dicey situations around here. But just praying for others has made me feel very connected and has given a channel to some of my worry that goes out mostly to my poor children. It has eased the stress somewhat like opening a pressure cooker.
Today someone asked for prayers for a friend on Cape Coral, Florida, who had chosen to remain in their home and now could not be heard from. I did it without question. I kind of bit my tongue and just prayed for them. It is generally my policy not to ask questions, or find more details, or in this case judge them - why did they choose to remain in their home? It was a classic case where a question just stood there waiting to be asked. Someone else may do it, but not me, I'll just pray for them, because now what's done is done, they're there, nobody can hear from them, and who knows what God is doing or even what Hurricane Ian is doing.
This was true during covid as well, when people's knowingly risky behavior put them in harm's way and the rest of us sat here judging them. In the end, I think, judging doesn't help much. Praying does, but it helps mostly me. It's not going to put them out of harm's way or make the water go down in the canal behind their house.
Or maybe it will - who knows?
Saturday, September 03, 2022
I read somewhere that there would be another memorial for Maurine Pyle in late September; I believe the 24th. However I went back to find it, amongst my friends' facebook posts, and it was gone.
The problem is, i didn't snag the information when I had it. This would have been a few weeks ago. The memorial will be held in Carbondale, and will be available on zoom; that's all I remember. And I believe I'm right about that date, because it's my son's birthday.
I am grateful the one I organized came out ok. Given some time to reflect, I'm not as self-conscious about it as i was when it came through. All memorials are good, and are an opportunity to remember. Now especially, when everyone's busy, everyone's political, the winds of change are blowing: Time to remember those who came before us.
I will try to recover that information and put it here.
The problem is, i didn't snag the information when I had it. This would have been a few weeks ago. The memorial will be held in Carbondale, and will be available on zoom; that's all I remember. And I believe I'm right about that date, because it's my son's birthday.
I am grateful the one I organized came out ok. Given some time to reflect, I'm not as self-conscious about it as i was when it came through. All memorials are good, and are an opportunity to remember. Now especially, when everyone's busy, everyone's political, the winds of change are blowing: Time to remember those who came before us.
I will try to recover that information and put it here.
