There is a story of a young woman who believes that God lives on top of a mountain at the ends of the earth. She journeys to the mountain and begins the long climb to the top. At the time she is beginning, God thinks “What can I do to show people on earth that I love them?” God says, “I know, I will journey down the mountain and go to live among them.” Thus, when the young woman reaches the top of the mountain, God is not there. She thinks, “God doesn’t live here! Maybe God doesn’t even exist.”
Sometimes, we look for God in the wrong places. We forget that God came down to live among us. Jesus, God-made-man, shows us how to live in relationship with his Father. An ancient Jewish saying tells us, “God dwells wherever we let him in.” Where do I let God in? Where do I look for God? Where do I find God?
All of us have so much to be thankful for each day. When we awake to a new day, when a friend is in touch with us, for the food we eat, for the water that flows into our homes,
for flowers, birds, trees, our health, for doctors close by who care for us: the list can go on and on. Thanking God should be part of our daily lives. It is also good to tell God about worries and concerns: about jobs, relationships, family, health, whatever comes to mind. Sharing those thoughts with God will often help to lessen the burdens we carry.
Take time — lots of it — each day to talk to God in prayer. If you spend time with family members or friends, engage them in prayer with you, and listen to how they share their joys/concerns/thanks with God.
Written by: Sr. Marie Paul Grech SND