Years ago, when our children were in their late teens, a routine developed that my wife and I remember with great fondness. It was a simple, unplanned, casual circumstance. We found ourselves in a shared moment, part of a weekend day without the compelling school week schedule.
Leisurely rising from sleep, meandering to the kitchen, we found ourselves gathering around the living room coffee table, sharing coffee and stories about the past week, reminiscences, and plans for the future. I doubt our children would remember these conversations. It was commonplace. It simply happened. What so many families do. I can’t remember for how many weeks or months this communal interlude endured.
When we are nineteen years old or so, life appears an open vista of time and opportunity. Having watched their children grow, parents recognize that there are some precious times, unique moments that are singular blessings. I think life is full of them, and they occur at all levels of age and development. I’ve found they often happen in the most unexpected, smallest moments.
Not only were these gatherings filled with humor, an occasional concern, or challenge, they were also lovely, comfortable times, foundational to a sense of relationship and community. Our children were young adults and this informal planning and reflection time provided the consolation and ground of responsibility to which families are called.
The comfort of conversation, the natural revision of thoughts and plans, feelings and attitudes, and the safe relationships of family members teach us to be sensitive to the Lord’s grace of discerning His will. How often do we find that the words of a trusted friend, mentor, or spiritual director give us a new way of seeing what was already present.
I think sincere, relaxed conversation with loved ones is gracious practice and preparation for how we pray together. The work of communication, listening – thinking – feeling – responding, is at the heart of what prayer involves. In prayer, we are confident that the Lord already knows us and what we need. Prayer helps us learn how to trust this loving reality by being attentive to His conversation with us about us.
“Even before a word is on my tongue, LORD, you know it all.” (Psalm 139:4)
Let us pray that the Lord’s Spirit bless and enrich our family prayer as a conversation with Him that seeks His will for us, His love for us, His abiding presence with us.