My favorite time of the day is the morning when I first wake up.  I’m not referring to when the sun shines through the cracks in the blinds and slashes bright rays on the walls and in your eyes.  Nor when the birds are chirping, dogs are barking, and the sounds of families going to work and school filter through the walls of my home for me to hear.  I am always awake before my alarm.  It’s still dark.  It’s very quiet.  Sometimes it can be as early as 4a.m.  I softly walk to the kitchen and turn on the Keurig.  I put a splash of milk in my coffee mug then push the button to let the hot coffee mix with the milk and make my perfect morning brew.  Then I sit at my table and warm my hands on the toasty mug and talk to God.  It’s quiet, but I whisper softly and He hears me. 

I don’t have a ‘prayer list’ like some people do.  But I have a lot of people on my heart who I talk to God about.  This morning, after sharing with God the hurts and needs of so many friends and family, it was so obvious to me.  What was the common desire of all those I prayed for?  All of the hurts and needs and requests had to do with relationships; people loving people who wanted that other person to be present in their lives.  I prayed for a friend who wants healing so that she can be around to enjoy her grandchildren.  Another friend battles cancer and I prayed for healing so her husband can “have more years to share being together.”  I prayed for the safety of a wayward son whose parents ache to know how he is and where he is.  There were no prayers for a bigger house.  No prayers for a newer car, or the most fashionable clothes or newest gadgets. 

As the parent of a special needs child, there were times with Amanda when she was facing another surgery or there was some new medical issue or another infection to face.  I can remember taking a ‘therapeutic’ walk and pouring my heart out to God.  I bargained with God and would tell him that he could take every THING in my life – my house, my car, all my possessions, and just all I had if only I could see Amanda back to health so that she could be with us still on earth.  It would anger me as I thought of all the people who lived life for more stuff.  How important are stylish clothes and a super cool car or a big impressive house, or tickets to the concert?  I could not understand how people could make all those ‘things’ a priority.  I wanted to scream and tell them that, in the end, was that stuff really important?  If you were going to see a spouse, a daughter, or a best friend for the last time, was there really anything more important than them?  But life would go on as the earth kept spinning and people would continue on their worldly journeys as I ached for my daughter. 

Life DOES go on and as we go through each day with jobs and school and family, we can get so caught up in THINGS.  The bottom line?  Life is about relationships and the people we love.  And Jesus loves all of those people.  In your final days, it is the people in your life that will matter.  Pray for them!  Love them.  Take some time to talk to God about the people you love.  He hears your prayers. 

Praying for you!

just Laurel