Praying is Preparing 

Have you ever known anyone who just seems to ooze hospitality? This person just happens to have a charger if you need one, or an extra sweatshirt or jacket when you are chilled. Maybe $20 for gas or food gets slipped in your pocket or added to your Venmo. A smile might greet you on an especially bad day or an offer to lend a hand when you are just about to drop the immense load you’ve managed to carry for much too long. 

These are the things that come to mind while reading from the book of Wisdom this morning. A person who is able to reach out to another person on the day’s journey no matter the situation. A graceful peace often accompanies this individual even when their own life is busy, and yet there is an intentional welcoming and shared response to those they encounter.

The Psalm, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord” continues this theme of reaching out. It is a prayer to see God in daily life as well as in eternal life. Being able to see the Lord in the everyday situations of my life is the building block of my faith in Him. As a child I wasn’t able to verbalize that it was God’s breath or touch I was seeing in a meal on the table or my Mom or Dad’s smile. I could recognize when these things were missing and sometimes made it really hard to stay focused or believe that things would be resolved. I wasn’t aware that I needed to thank the Lord for providing for me as my parents took care of my needs. I wasn’t really aware that having loving and caring parents was itself a tremendous blessing and witness of love and faithfulness.

Today’s parable of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom can seem harsh. Five women turn up their lamps to light the way and accompany the bridegroom into the wedding celebration. The five who were not prepared came back with oil to find the door to the festivities locked. The awareness of what is needed in the moment comes through the faithful practice of God’s way of life and is developed by wisdom and grace. 

Lord, thank you ahead of time for the grace to ask about and know your Way. Help me to recognize and acknowledge the wisdom shared by those who are an example to me. Allow me to be a witness and light for others.  Amen.

By Beth Price