The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

What comes to mind when you hear the word Prayer? Simply put, prayer is a conversation. A conversation with God.

A conversation is the exchange of thoughts between two or more people. For many of us, prayer can be one sided with us doing all the talking. Even so, God will respond. Not audibly, but if your heart is open, you will experience guidance or comfort or some change in your circumstances. 

I keep a journal most days. I start out writing random thoughts as they pop into my head. Surrendering those thoughts to paper seems to clear the way for more lucid thinking. Invariably, my scribbles become cohesive and prayerful.  I express to God in writing my worries, ideas, and also what I hope to accomplish that day. Sometimes, I am looking for direction. It always ends up being a conversation of sorts.

As strange as it may sound, I also talk to God about my art practice and business. I ask for guidance, ability, wisdom, and success. Lord knows I need it! ;)

An interesting thing happened recently. When school let out, one of my grand kids who lives in the city, asked his mother if instead of going to "camps" where he would have to be inside all day, couldn't he work on a farm somewhere. She thought this was a great idea but, being in the city, she did not know of any opportunities near them. 

A week or so later, I saw an ad on a local site. A small organic family run farm near me is looking for a teenage boy who wanted to earn some money working a few hours a day. My thought was, "it's a shame that isn't in Richmond" and I passed it by. When it showed up again, I felt a nudge like "maybe I ought to look into this but again, let it go. When it showed up a third time, I snapped a screen shot and sent it to my daughter. She was over the moon at the idea. She contacted the lady and long story short, he will start work in about 10 days! He will stay here with us while he is working on the farm. We don't know if he will like it or how well it will work out but he is getting to do what he hoped to do.

My question is, Whose prayer got answered? Who prayed? Did anyone specifically say a prayer asking for such an opportunity? Or Did God hear the unexpressed prayer of this teenage boy or his Mother? I think God looked into the heart of this Kid who is having terrible growing pains, saw his need, and said, "I've got this!" I suspect neither one of them thought to pray. They didn't see it as a possibility.  I am happy to know that God hears even those prayers we have not uttered!

I don't know if you are a "prayer" but I highly recommend it. Don't forget to listen and look for a response!

Happy Creating!