Karla’s Korner: Lessons in Living an Ordinary Life
Karla’s Korner
The Prayer Box: Lessons in Living an Ordinary Life
The Prayer Box: Lessons in Living an Ordinary Life
It’s early morning; my family is sleeping soundly as I stare out the window from my usual writing spot. With ear buds spilling worship music into my ears and heart, I sip my coffee and reflect on the week’s events and the “to do” list written in my mind. There are runners, dog walkers and a few robins bouncing by my window; scenes of a simple Saturday morning in rural Virginia. It’s times like this I wonder if I am missing out; why am I stuck in a one stop light town where tractors hauling hay bales clog up one lane roads and everybody knows everything about everybody. How did I end up in such a quiet little corner of the world; a corner filled with rich history, quiet beauty and starry nights so clear that if you look close enough you just might see the man in the moon? Why can’t my world be filled with excitement, parties and weekend concerts? Am I missing out? Am I stuck in a rut or am I one of the lucky ones? Is the grass greener on the other side of where it is that I am not? Is this relatively simple life envied by those who live their lives in the fast lane? I wonder.
Looking across the room I catch a glimpse of a simple green box atop dresser. There’s nothing unique about this box; it’s cardboard, it’s green; it’s a box. However, the meaning behind this box is more than magical to me; it’s one of my most cherished things. It’s my prayer box, a gift from my treasured friend, Sweetie, a reminder that I am loved beyond measure by my Creator. Inside this simple box are small scraps of paper with my worries, concerns, prayers scribbled on them. Sweetie gave me the box on my last visit with her. She apologized for not decorating it, “It’s from you so it’s perfect” I told her. My words were not empty, I meant them. The love behind her gift means more than she will ever know. That simple green box is a symbol of the faith we share in God and the bond we have through that faith. It’s simply perfect.
Once in a while the topic of my prayer box comes up in our Friday afternoon conversations. Quite often she reminds me to put my concerns in the box and “offer them up” in prayer. She still tells me that she wishes the box was prettier instead of plain and simple. As I sit and stare at my treasured box I know that decorations would not make the box better; it would just be decorated. The meaning or purpose wouldn’t be any better than it is right now. There is no need for decorations. It serves its purpose just the way it is. And then like a lightning bolt to my soul it hits me; my ahh haa moment for the week. I am exactly where I am supposed to be for now. This simple life that fills my days with routine and familiarity like my box is plain and ordinary on the outside but filled with treasures on the inside; memories tucked away in my hearts corner for eternity. I am one of the lucky ones. Living life in a small town allows me time to sit on the deck on a cool spring evening watching squirrels frolic in the back yard listening to the birds chatter from the tree tops as the smell of a charcoal grill floats by on the evening breeze and sweet laughter and baby giggles spill from a neighbors open windows. At night it’s dark outside, so dark and quiet that you can almost hear the stars twinkle. It is here where I share my world with my husband, children and close friends. It’s where I worship, where I pray, where I grieve, where I celebrate; where I leave my heart wide open for all possibilities. It’s simple. It’s ordinary. It’s mine.
Life doesn’t always afford everyone a plain ordinary life but I believe it is possible to create ordinary wherever you are. I encourage you to set aside time each day to live a few ordinary, mundane undecorated moments that allow you think without interruption, listen to the beat of your own heart, settle the thoughts in your mind, whisper a prayer or just be in the moment. Like my undecorated box life doesn’t have to be full of bells whistles and fireworks all the time to have meaning. Some of our greatest moments often come from the simplest of things. Take time to be simple. Take time to be free from clutter of mind, body and spirit. Author Mitch Albom once said “You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute.” Be blessed by your own ordinary.
Peace,
Karla
I am proud to introduce a new column to Madame Deals! I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!
Read more Karla’s Korner , also please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.
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