Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Lap of Prayer

Baxter and Pam
I know some of you have been interested in an update on Baxter. He is completely recovered from his leg injury—and without having to undergo surgery! God is so good. Baxter is eating normally again and the croupy cough he had developed is gone!

One aspect of his healing I am especially thankful for is that he is no longer crawling under the dressers and beds to hide—a sure sign of pain, fear or stress in cats. He once again wants to be in the room with Dick and me—sometimes on the floor, sometimes on the couch beside me, and sometimes at the foot of Dick’s recliner.

I especially love it when Baxter climbs up on my lap so I can hold him. He purrs and squeezes his eyes shut in satisfaction—well, at least for a time. Then all of a sudden, Baxter seems to find my arms and lap confining. Giving me the evil eye, he nips my hand and then jumps up and runs off.

Other times he appears to be resting comfortably when all at once something grabs his attention and he shoots out of my lap like a rocket. He might be back in a few minutes or he may meander off elsewhere.

Hmmm. Baxter’s behavior looks a lot like how I treat the lap of God. When I am really hurting or afraid or stressed, it would make sense to immediately turn to God in prayer. Although I know Psalm 46:1 assures us that God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble, sometimes anxiety, shame, fear of rejection, or a lack of faith can prevent me from approaching Him first.

When I do crawl up in the lap of prayer, I can so easily get distracted from my time with God. I will be praying and meditating and a few minutes later I realize my thoughts have jumped to thinking about what color to paint that old weather-worn rocker on the porch!

Then there are the times when I try to manhandle God during prayer. I want him to answer my prayers my way in my time. And when He doesn’t, I give Him the evil eye. If God tries to convince me that perhaps I am the problem, or even the solution to a problem, and I don’t want to hear it, I jump down from the lap of prayer and get busy doing something else.

And, just like Baxter expects of me, I trustingly assume God is willing to hold me in the lap of prayer anytime, anywhere. What is so incredible to me is that God never fails to pat His knee and invite me to commune with Him in prayer. He always takes time for me, always makes space for me, and always pours His love out on me.

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8


Sometimes I bask in His presence, filled with awe, and practically purr my thanks for all that He is doing in my life. But more often than not, like Baxter, I just soak in all the blessings.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
Colossians 4:2


Blessings!
Pam

©2014 Pamela D. Williams