Be present, listen, and pray always

My cell phone rang. It was my aunt asking if I could help her check out an unknown situation with their cattle just down the road from my place. I rode along on the 4-wheeler as we drove up the boggy creek bottom to make sure there were no cows or calves stuck in the mud as she feared was a possibility based on the bellering of the herd. We found no evidence of anything in distress so the amount of my service to her was simply opening and shutting a few gates. However, it was more than what it may have seemed at the time. My presence and availability was enough to take some significant stress and worry off her shoulders. I was present.

Many times we underestimate how much impact our actions can have on a situation or person. I simply dropped what I was doing to assist her in whatever small way she was in need. My mom and dad were perfect examples of this. I can remember numerous times that my dad would go out of his way to assist in getting my vehicle fixed when I was in a pinch for time, and my mom was frequently there to listen when a sibling or myself needed someone to talk to.

I remember a moment near the end of my college years when I expressed some questions about some teachings of our Catholic faith. The main question I was debating was sex before marriage. I didn’t want to accept the teaching because I knew it would be inconvenient for me. I brought it up to my mom because I knew I could trust her to listen to my struggle. My mom could have tried to right my course of belief, but she didn’t. She was present, listened, and then retreated to prayer, knowing that trying to correct me in the moment would have done more harm than good.

Now, I want to clarify that keeping others accountable in their faith is very much a part of what we are called to do as followers of Christ. However, careful discernment through prayer must be at the core of our action if we plan to approach someone. My mom, although not perfect, strove to pray for her children and their needs throughout her life. She was not a confrontational person, and I believe that to be a great testimony to the power of prayer. We often are tempted to want to control a situation, but as the saying goes, we need to “let go, and let God” work out the kinks in our lives and in the lives of others in his timing.

There is no cookie cutter form of daily prayer. It can be as simple as offering up an intention by mentioning someone’s need and then praying an Our Father, Hail Mary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or Rosary for that intention. I often have a conversation with God throughout my day. It might sound odd at first if you’ve never done it, but if you have ever talked things through to yourself when no one was around (or when you thought no one was around), all you need to do is believe that Jesus is there listening. He is that friend that sits quietly while you spill out your heart, whether it be joys or struggles. Jesus is my friend, and God is my Father, insomuch as he is yours. Jesus will take whatever you can give and use it in great ways.

No action or prayer is too small for God to hear. Be present to others whether it is your immediate family or larger faith family, and especially be present to God. Say a Glory Be in the morning, pray before meals, sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament or Tabernacle, pray a Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, pray before bed, or just talk out-loud to him. No matter what your journey has looked like, be present, listen, and pray always.