Always On God's Mind

Read 1 Kings 19:3-13 - the story of Elijah

You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted. Psalm 40:5 (NRSV)

Debra Celovsky lives in California. While visiting her husband's family in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, they were sitting in the backyard before dinner. Four-year-old Jesse skipped around the edges of their conversation, seemingly lost in his own little world. He squirmed as they ate their meal and then slipped out of the room. Suddenly Jesse reappeared and thrust a purple piece of construction paper at Debra with a rush of words. Debra was puzzled, so he spoke in a louder voice, "It's a bird, and I love you." Yes, two large eyes were recognizable as well as a very large beak.

That moment with a young boy reminded Debra of how often we nearly miss God's voice saying much the same thing. "It's sunrise over a new day, and I love you." Or "It's a terrible loss, but I am here and I love you." It is the same quiet voice of the One who spoke to the despondent prophet Elijah in today's scripture reading.

Our attention may be elsewhere when God hands us a love note. Worried or distracted, we may glance at the words without comprehension. Yet God persists. As the quoted scripture reminds us, we are always on God's mind.

Debra framed Jesse's picture and hung it by her desk. Its huge eyes and funny beak are a reminder to her that God's eyes are on us. Firmly in God's gaze, we can feel comforted and reassured.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us not to be distracted from your voice but always to be attentive to your Spirit, in Jesus' name. Amen.