Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Light Bulb Prayers

As I was sitting and waiting for the mass to start last Sunday, I was bothered by the fact that I can't concentrate. It's not that my mind is wandering but I felt like I don't know what to pray and where to start. I got annoyed with my own prayers for my self to God. I've been constantly repeating my prayers; it's full of words with no heart. And honestly, it's been a while since I had devoted a whole period of praying time for other people.

So there, I sat staring at the Christmas tree with its lights. I was still and that's when I remembered this story:

"I like to play with the stars," a little girl told her pastor one day when he came to visit her. She was confined to bed because of a severe spinal deformity, and her bed was positioned so that she had a good view of the sky. She wanted it that way so she could see the stars. "I wake up a lot at night and can't get back to sleep," she told the minister, "and that's when I play with the stars."

Her pastor, curious about what she meant by that, asked, "How do you play with the stars?" The child answered, "I pick out one and say, 'That's Mommy.' I see another and say, 'That's Daddy.' And I just keep on naming the stars after people and things I'm thankful for—my brothers and sisters, my doctor, my friends, my dog." And on and on she went, until at last she exclaimed, "But there just aren't enough stars to go around!"


The Christmas lights were just like stars and so I did the same thing. For every bulb I see, I thank God for giving me that someone in my life and then the prayer continuously flow for each and everyone of them.

I am sure, just like the kid, I'll say that there are no enough bulbs and definitely there wasn't enough time for me that moment because I have to help set up for the mass.

Surely the enemy doesn't want us to pray but I guess if we could have something like the stars, the Christmas light bulbs and the Rosary, maybe we will be less destructed. I actually find it easier because before, when I was just randomly thinking of people, my mind would sometimes go blank and I end up just thinking about them and not praying for them.

Here's more, when riding a train, for every person I see, I pray for them and a person I actually know. They're like beads. They help me stay focus. They help me think less of my self and I like it. Praying for my self actually shortens my praying time and my time with God, that's why I am glad I discovered a new way to help my self pray, because I want to talk to Him more. ^_^

6 comments:

Jason said...

You have a great blog here. I have a blog myself which I hope will provide inspiration and guidance to people all around the world. Life is hard enough. I'd like us to exchange links to help spread some traffic around, and let other people know about our sites.

Please let me know if this is possible.

Jason
TheWISDOMWALL.com

Anonymous said...

This is a great site. I love the story about the girl and the stars. Thanks for commenting on my blog. Have a good day, and I look forward to reading more! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Paige. I will remember that trick with the Christmas tree. Lovely. But I very seldom pray for others myself. What matters is what we do to others, and I have no power to work on The Lord's perception and focus. When I pray I pray The Lord's Prayer - and when I do I might think of someone special. The Lord's Prayer is fantastic. It makes us commit.

I have sent my poems and my epigrams to New York publishers. I don't hear anything. But if I hear anything, and if I get published, and if I become rich and famous, I will come and visit you. Tihi!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful heading! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

This uttering we like heathens are worshipping a tree is nonsense. It annoys me. The Christmas tree is a beautiful tradition and brings joy to children in an extent beyond measure. But the tree is a serious business.

BY THE SON OF MAN

Just like a fruit tree full of joy
the Christmas tree to girl and boy
remembrance is if Christ, The Son.
Now: Merry Christmas, everyone.

Anonymous said...

Oooops! "remembrance is *of* Christ". Typing error.