Spiritual Short

Over the years I have walked in nature many times. I have enjoyed walking alone so that I could have time to pray and commune with God.

The other morning I woke up with unpleasant thoughts. Not horrible, but just kind of sad, anxious, and depressing.

Recently I felt there was no need for me to attend a scheduled business meeting at my branch Church of Christ, Scientist. It was a warm, humid day, and I felt I would be more comfortable at home.

When a loved one passed away, I felt a sense of separation and aloneness. Endeavoring to pray and overcome the grief, I recalled an earlier experience I’d had during one of my daily walks that took me past several blocks of art galleries.

Do you, like me, drive to work on a congested freeway? Is “rush hour” merely a time for sitting in traffic?  One morning, sitting in especially heavy traffic, I began to ponder how Christ Jesus was always praying. I’ve found this to be a seriously wonderful jumping-off point for my prayers.

I have been thinking and praying deeply about church and cherishing its role in the world today.   One afternoon I read an address that Mary Baker Eddy wrote to her students in 1894, on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of her church.

Have you ever wanted something so much that you detailed it in your prayers so God could get it exactly right? You should know about the endearing story of a little girl who prayed for a pony. When someone commiserated with her about her prayers not being answered, she said: “Oh, but God did answer.

I once saw an ad on television that featured a woman frantically trying to finish her Christmas preparations. On her very long shopping list was written, “To get: Christ.

In this season of Thanksgiving and gratitude here in North America, I’ve been thinking about this: We don’t have to wait until we’ve been freed or healed to be grateful. Giving thanks to God in advance lifts us out of the belief that we’re mortal, limited, in pain, or sad.

In its purest form, praising God is not an imposition or an artificial religious obligation, but a natural outcome of wonder and awe—a spontaneous expression of heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. To many people in the world, however, enjoinders to “praise God” may seem badly timed or perhaps downright hypocritical.