Unceasing: Turn Thinking to Prayer

Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is "unceasing." Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.

Let's break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.

Henri Nouwen

Thank you, Henri Nouwen, for this refreshing reminder. My daydreams have been plentiful, and it is so good when I remember to turn them into prayers to God. Handing them over gives me hope, and allows me to relax because I know that God will take care of us. He knows what lies ahead, and He has blessed us so much along the way. So what's it been this time...well, I dream of designing a new space. I dream of a new house, with a kitchen that we can connect to the back yard through windows and doors. It would be nice to live between 30th and 70th Street, as this is where we usually are when we're not at home. This is a daydream, that I've recently been turning into prayer. Of course I can drive by house after house, and have each one mentally remodeled after a glance or two. But then there's my dear husband who does all the work. And does he really want to do that? Or would he rather be out riding his bike? Both/And. He wants to make sure I won't want to move again in 2 more years. 

So Michael and I have had good discussions. We talk about design, about God's provision, and about how much we love our family. Wherever we are, we get to be together and that brings me joy. With all this said, we love our home. It is cozy, especially with our new drapery and space heaters. It is well-renovated and really kicks butt. It's spacious. The parties we can have in this house are beyond good. We have even made our basement into play space. Several of our neighbors are good friends. And I cannot even imagine not sharing space with Taryn, Micah, and Hazel. (Taryn has lived "with" us for almost 6 years!)  We have no plans to move. We've discussed taking the year to enjoy it here and count our many blessings. Just wanted to take you on this journey with us!

Love,

Kristyn 

P.S. Fields, you turned 4 months old yesterday! I must write to you soon, little cutie.