Just Talking To God

Hanfordrose

Isn't it sad that so many Christians are willing to pray for other people...for crisis situations in their lives...but don't know how to talk to God about the simple, everyday things that they confront?

I didn't grow up in a family that prayed or even went to church, though my mom made us go to sunrise service on Easter. I still don't know why that was the only religious event that mattered to her. All the other Sundays, she stayed home.

Because I lacked any 'training' in prayer, I developed a different, perhaps a bit casual attitude about the act of prayer. At age 57, I finally discovered that "the bible was TRUE, Jesus was REAL, and He died for ME!!!" Talk about revelation. My life truly was changed in a split second. The old atheist became 'a new creature' at that moment.

Now, I knew that God was real; and He was with me wherever I went...I just started talking to Him. I thought that it would be rude to pretend that He was THERE...right beside me...inside me...watching me and hearing my thoughts. I just began "having conversations with Him", whenever and wherever I might be. I talk to Him about everything, like He is my best friend and my loving Dad; and that makes for some strange prayer talk.

I always check in with Him, before I step on my scale. If ever there was a place in which I have no control over my future, it is at that moment, when I put my weight to the test. I figure that is also the most tempting time for Satan to mess with me. I don't want his big foot on the back of my scale. So, send Satan running by calling on the name of Jesus; and I praise God for the days that I lose weight and the days I don't. I know that He is doing everything that He can to give me wisdom and encouragement; but it is still up to me to "be faithful...in and out of season".

When you are feeling down...discouraged...fearful...tired...lazy...frustrated...you name it, God is right THERE beside you! Speak to Him. That's what prayer is...just talking to God.

You would not believe some of the things that I say to God. My husband thinks that I am funny, because he catches me talking out loud to God, when I am doing things around the house. He often will ask, "Who are you talking to?", especially when the conversation is about him. I will respond with, "God...and He agrees with me!" That usually gets a laugh.

I do ask God to help me with my crazy hubbie from time to time, but I mostly talk to Him about me. That's okay, because He actually care about me. I am important to Him. I am His precious daughter...His beloved child. He knows that I make mistakes, but He is so quick of forgive and to pick me up and put things right.

When I mess up...do something wrong or just plain stupid, I will usually start our conversation off with the words, "Well, God. I screwed up again." No formal introduction is required. I don't even need to bow my head, put my hands together, let alone get to my broken down, old knees. I can start that talk with God, while sitting on the toilet. I told you that I have strange attitude to prayer. I figure that God is in the bathroom too.

By the way, I make lots of mistakes; but God doesn't seem to want to give up on me. So, I still know that He is THERE next to me...inside me...caring about me and my silly life. He even cares about what I eat, drink and do every day to make myself healthier.

I hope that you know how much God loves you. He is just waiting to have a good, casual conversation with you about your life, even your weight loss issues. He has been trying to help you and encourage you all along; but you might not be treating Him like He is in the room with you...right THERE...beside you...inside you...EVERYWHERE that you go.

Hanfordrose

This cartoon that I posted on the Motivation board got me in trouble. I titled it "Satan...Get Your Big, Fat Foot Off Of My Scale!"

That post was locked up, because there was too much being said about God. According to MFP management...that is a controvertial topic. :happy:

What can I say? I am a rebellious, old lady who also happens to love God.

Elliehmltn

Isn't it sad that so many Christians are willing to pray for other people...for crisis situations in their lives...but don't know how to talk to God about the simple, everyday things that they confront?

I have been frustrated lately by this very thing in myself: that I don't talk with God even though He is right there with me. I know He is but I just don't think about it. I'm too busy with whatever else I'm thinking about.

I've thought of setting my watch to beep every X minutes just to remind me. Because just about every day, when I've gone to bed for the night and start my "rote" prayers that I never finish because I fall asleep.... I realize when I start to pray that I haven't really PRAYED all day.

Thank you for this well-timed post, Rose!

NJD2885

I grew up in a family where my mother went to church every sunday, bible study once a week and also did office duties for the church. My father almost never sets foot in a church unless there's a wedding or a funeral. I grew up always just having a conversation with God instead of always being more formal when praying and i talk to God about everything big or small. It's only been recently that I started going to church again, I found it too hard after my mother's death but now that I'm going again and I feel closer to her and God. I've always believed in God but I think it really clicked for me when I was a teenager watching my mom die from cancer, she wasn't scared of dying because of her faith in God she knew she would be going Home. She was worried more about us and how we would manage Now I love seeing my children at church and how they are soaking up everything the pastor and their teacher has to tell them. The other day My son looked at my brother and said" Do you know who's in our hearts? Jesus is."

Hanfordrose

Because just about every day, when I've gone to bed for the night and start my "rote" prayers that I never finish because I fall asleep.... I realize when I start to pray that I haven't really PRAYED all day.

Change it up, Sis. Start your day with a talk to God. You have to go potty in the morning. While you're sitting, say..."Mornin', God. I hope that you have something special in mind for me today...and by the way, while we're talking.....etc" Talk 'rote prayer' stuff does nothing for me. I feel like I am just reading aloud somebody else's words.

When I was little, my Australian grandparents came for a visit. One day, my grandfather was asked to say grace. I was surprised and delighted by his version of grace. "2, 4, 6, 8. Bog in. Don't wait. Yeah, God!" Funny, maybe disrespectful...but that was my grandfather. He never acknowledge himself as a Christian, but I have a feeling that he and God were on talking terms.

dorthymcconnel

I like what you had to say there. I grew up like you did, with a family that didn't really go to church. Thankfully I had neighbors who took me to church but I really understood when I was 18. While I do some of the more "formal" praying, I feel closer when I can just sit and talk to Him.

ETA: One of the best places I've found to talk to God is during my morning walks. I'm away from all the distractions and loved ones and concerns come to mind more easily.

Hanfordrose

One of the best places I've found to talk to God is during my morning walks. I'm away from all the distractions and loved ones and concerns come to mind more easily.

You just said something special. I am currently confined to a wheelchair and a walker for a few steps around the house. I am so looking forward to the day, when I get my new knees (double knee replacement surgery). Then, I will be able to 'go for a walk'. I want to be able to stoll around the block with my dog, to ride bike, to just get out of the house without being confined to a chair.

Soon and very soon. When I reach Onederland, I will have met the requirement for my surgeon...70 pounds lost. I can hardly wait, and I am so glad that God got me this far.

dwalt15110

I taught in a Catholic school and the students and I talked about prayer often. I tried to instill in them that they should be on a first name basis with God and that they should talk to him and tell him how they felt. I told them they should praise him, but also tell him when they were troubled or didn't like what was happening. I impressed upon them that it was alright to yell at God. He can take it. He has broad shoulders. I also told them that no one could solve all of their problems or exalt in all of their accomplishments like God. I also taught them that a perfect time for prayer was while they were in the bathroom. At first they teeheed, but after a while it stuck. I loved what you wrote and now you know how much it has resonated with me.

caramelcremebrulee

Thank you I really needed this message. I feel frustrated and alone.

dorthymcconnel

Soon and very soon. When I reach Onederland, I will have met the requirement for my surgeon...70 pounds lost. I can hardly wait, and I am so glad that God got me this far.

I'm keeping you in prayer for that. You've been working so diligently and have such an upbeat attitude. I know I won't be the only one cheering when you reach that goal.

linda_p

Great post. I discovered God was real when I was 40 years old. I had lost my mother to leukemia when I was 4 yrs old. At 40, I was praying to know what it felt like to be loved, to know the kind of love that only a mother has for her child. I asked God to be my mother and He literally poured His love into me at that very moment. And, if that wasn't enough, the next day in my bible reading, I happened to be in Isaiah, working on a Sunday school lesson. I read Isaiah 66:13 - "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." Wow! Yes, He is always with us. He cares so much for each and everyone of us. He speaks to us if we will listen. We do not have because we do not ask. Thanks for the reminder to just talk to Him.

dsgoingtodoit

I love your spunky spirit Rose. Your writing is a gift from the Lord to all who read it.

Thank you - and I LOVE YOUR "SATAN GET YOUR BIG FAT FOOT OFF OF MY SCALE" POST! Thank you for sharing!

BTW...MFP...I find people talking about who they will hook up with, date, pass VERY OFFENSIVE...the cartoon she posted is in NO WAY offensive.