Reaching

Growing is more difficult than it sounds. I reach for the future and discover myself on a circuitous pathway.

My prayer

May I reach with all of who I am for Your will to be done, trusting the process of growth that is already well under way.

Biblical touchstones

A capable woman opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20

Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” John 20:27

Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of God called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “God will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of God it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:10-14

Invitation to prayer

Imagine that you are a tree with a trunk, branches and leaves reaching in a myriad of directions. Breathe in the nourishment that is coming. Breathe out what is no longer needed. Be aware of how you are already reaching towards God.

Photo

Tree by the coast, Tahiti (French Polynesia)