The Sunshine
It has been almost three weeks since I settled into the married routine of leaving my wife to drive to work. The drive from Davision to Sebewaing is becoming very inspirational. On my drives in the morning I practice what I call, “sign prayers.” I start from the house and pray for a person. I continue to pray for that person until I pass an official state highway sign – no passing and speed limit signs are the most common. As I pass the sign, I conclude the prayer for that person and start on another. The drive in the morning allows me time to pray for many people.
I usually start with Carol, and then move through our children and grandchildren in birth order. Next I move on to the pastors of Immanuel and St. Paul. Then I pray for the teachers of Christ the King, by name, starting with Mrs. Hahn and descending through the grades and subjects. Now I have time to add the secretaries, cooks and janitors to the prayers. In fact, I can usually get through that list by the time I leave Vassar.
With the extra road time and signs, I am privileged to add the students of the school. I can usually get through the seventh and eighth graders by name and then the rest of the students by class groupings before I arrive for the day. I also have the opportunity to add special requests as the day brings – for parents, for events, for sports games, for meetings, etc. I am very blessed.
Prayer is very important to me. I have experienced the joy of talking to my Heavenly Father and His answering back to me. Most of the times He answers with a “Yes.” For example, each day I pray for safe travel for myself, Carol, and all who will be traveling to school. So far, He has sent more “yes” answers than “no.”
Prayer connects me not only to my Heavenly Father, but also to the person I am praying for. Last Friday I prayed a special prayer for Mr. Bickel and the eighth grade class as they traveled to Ann Arbor. As I prayed for Mr. Bickel, I could picture him in my mind, remember his deeds of kindness and ask for blessings on all that he does for the churches, the school and his Lord. Whenever I pray for a person by name, I feel closer to them.
Another advantage of my drive is that I leave the house in darkness and experience the sun rise. The sun usually comes up around the time I take the big turns on Vassar road. I praise God for His creation and change to my sunglasses.
Each morning as I bask in the sunshine, I am reminded of the “Sonshine” of Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, rose on Easter morning to shine forth in victory over sin, death and the power of Satan. What an awesome gift He gives – life eternal. As the light from the sun shines on me, the light of the Son shines on me through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am very blessed.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for prayer and sunshine. Amen.
I usually start with Carol, and then move through our children and grandchildren in birth order. Next I move on to the pastors of Immanuel and St. Paul. Then I pray for the teachers of Christ the King, by name, starting with Mrs. Hahn and descending through the grades and subjects. Now I have time to add the secretaries, cooks and janitors to the prayers. In fact, I can usually get through that list by the time I leave Vassar.
With the extra road time and signs, I am privileged to add the students of the school. I can usually get through the seventh and eighth graders by name and then the rest of the students by class groupings before I arrive for the day. I also have the opportunity to add special requests as the day brings – for parents, for events, for sports games, for meetings, etc. I am very blessed.
Prayer is very important to me. I have experienced the joy of talking to my Heavenly Father and His answering back to me. Most of the times He answers with a “Yes.” For example, each day I pray for safe travel for myself, Carol, and all who will be traveling to school. So far, He has sent more “yes” answers than “no.”
Prayer connects me not only to my Heavenly Father, but also to the person I am praying for. Last Friday I prayed a special prayer for Mr. Bickel and the eighth grade class as they traveled to Ann Arbor. As I prayed for Mr. Bickel, I could picture him in my mind, remember his deeds of kindness and ask for blessings on all that he does for the churches, the school and his Lord. Whenever I pray for a person by name, I feel closer to them.
Another advantage of my drive is that I leave the house in darkness and experience the sun rise. The sun usually comes up around the time I take the big turns on Vassar road. I praise God for His creation and change to my sunglasses.
Each morning as I bask in the sunshine, I am reminded of the “Sonshine” of Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, rose on Easter morning to shine forth in victory over sin, death and the power of Satan. What an awesome gift He gives – life eternal. As the light from the sun shines on me, the light of the Son shines on me through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am very blessed.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for prayer and sunshine. Amen.