Around (or "On") the Kitchen Table
As
many of you know, Kim and I have become, at least temporarily,
“empty-nesters.” But this past week, we
finally had all three of our children at the kitchen table once again...well,
sort of. Here’s the way it really
was: Nathaniel was home for a couple of
days from college, so he was home with us in person. As we were preparing dinner, Jonathan called in
on Skype from Nicaragua. I set up the computer on the kitchen table so that
Kim, Nathaniel, and I could talk with him. Soon afterwards, Joanna called in on
Google plus. I answered her on my iPad
and set up the iPad on the table as well, placing it in such a way so that Nathaniel,
Joanna, and Jonathan could all see each other. It was quite the amusing
scene.
Of
course, it wasn’t the same as everyone being there live, but I have to say it
was the next best thing. Except for some
Internet connection slowdowns, it was pretty cool having all three of them
together in our kitchen like that. It was almost like a family reunion, albeit
via telecommunication. Sure, it would have been much better to have everyone
together in person, but I was amazed how the dynamic of the three kids was just
about the same as they began talking and laughing and telling their stories all
at once, around (or for some “on”) the kitchen table!
Although
being in person is much better, sometimes we need other forms of communication
to stay in touch and maintain our relationships. In the past people used letter writing and
then eventually the telephone. Today cell phones, Facebook, Skype, and Google
plus, etc. have become our means. When someone is far away, each of these
becomes a real blessing to help us stay connected.
I’ve
come to realize, that’s what prayer is all about. Sure, it would be much better to be with God
our heavenly Father in person. And one day, those of us who are his children, we
will be. In the meantime, however, God has given to us a means of communicating
with him long distance in order that we might maintain a relationship with him.
This
is why the Bible tells us to “Be faithful
in prayer” (Romans 12:12) and to “Devote
yourselves to prayer.” (Colossians 4:2).
This is why the Apostle Paul tells us to saturate our daily lives in
prayer—i.e. “pray without ceasing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17) It is our means
of communicating with God our heavenly Father—building relationship with him;
staying in touch with him—until the day we are brought into his presence.
So,
let me encourage you today to take time to pray. Speak to God throughout your day. Prayer: It’s the next best thing to being
right there!
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer….” (1 Peter 3:12 –
NIV)
Have
a great day!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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