Photo: V. Slotto
Zoe
I have a Jack Russell Terrier who is deaf. You may know that this is not a calm breed–independent, reactive, they require an extra dose of patience even when they are hearing. But they are fun, full of surprises and so lovable. Zoe is my little prayer partner, cuddling at my side when I spend time in prayer and reading scripture–her buddy, Sparky, usually flanking my other side.
First thing this morning, when I took the dogs for their walk and “duties” (we have no yard here in the desert) Zoe went ballistic, as she tends to, when a friend drove by in his golf cart. This is not unusual…sudden movements scare her, no doubt because of her hearing impairment. Usually I’m prepared, but this morning I lost it. I won’t go into detail.
When I returned home, I didn’t want to pray. I couldn’t bring myself to God after such a miserable failure…and really thought about just skipping that part of the day and getting on with my domestic chores. Then I happened to open my Kindle, which was on a page of “The Practice of the Presence of God”–a little volume you may have read by a 15th century monk named Brother Lawrence. This is what was on the page that I had highlighted:
“When I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to doing so: I shall never do otherwise, if I am left to myself. I fail not, I give GOD thanks, acknowledging the strength comes from Him.” In other words, “Get over it.”
And so, I prayed. And after some really hectic weeks and prayer doldrums that accompany being too busy, God allowed me to know He is with me, even in my most pathetic moments.
Photo: Amazon.com
I highly recommend this small volume. Find various translations on Amazon.com
Be Still and Know that I AM God Ps 46:10 
http://rallentanda.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/a-prayer.html
Prayer does not always need to be formal. Daily prayer can come about through music or any aesthetic activity or reflection which moves you to thoughts of the Divine .Daily prayer is more than chanting words in parrot fashion..a real communication gives comfort and the most important thing is to know you are not alone. God is there to help and that really does happen. …we are all blessed. Where is God? God is everywhere and in all the beauty everywhere in the world ….even in the herbs on my kitchen ledge.Some just close their eyes and ears and hearts. In doing so they bring about terrible unhappiness on themselves.All beauty contains the Divine spirit. Yes and all this from a person very inclined towards Traditional Catholicism:).
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Love your thought, here, Rallentanda. I am looking at God in the beauty of the California desert outside my window right now, in two herb plants sitting on the ledge of the patio and the finches at the feeder…even in the dirty dishes waiting for me on the sink…tho that takes a bit more work.
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