Practice: the Troublesome prayer

In January I wrote about our family word for the year, Practice.  We've been practicing one small, graceful, soul building habit each month.  This month we are practicing the troublesome prayer.

Our first month of practice, the baintrain took turns reading aloud the Armor of God then talked about what piece of armor we employed during our day at the dinner table.  Not every single day, but more than not.  

I thought the Fruits of the Spirit would be a good follow up but our reading ways waned and attention vanished.  Above all I want the Practice to engage them, not be preachy or something to endure.

Then a friend sent me the super sweet gift of Jesus Calling.  After reading for only a few days, I thought the devotionals and the simple ways to remember His presence would be a perfect fit for our Practicing routine.  For the last month, before early morning milking, I've read the passage for the day and we talk about it a bit.  Takes about ten minutes, tops.  Again, not everyday, but more than not.

We hadn't talked about what our new practice for April would be  until yesterday.  We all sat around the kitchen counter, some content to be awake, others not so much and read this:

When you trust me in the midst of trouble, Peace flourishes...Thank Me for troublesome situations...

That began a flurry in interesting and enlightening conversation about what constitutes a troublesome situation.   

It's having to get up and go milk when you're tired.  It's school when you'd rather play outside.  It's an aggravating conversation with a brother who won't see you're right.  It's having to eat soup again for supper or forgetting your ball glove on the way to practice or being told not.right.now... the fact is, our small lives are filled to the brim with {seemingly} troublesome situations. 

IF. 

If we forget.  If we overlook or generally eliminate the transforming power of gratitude in the moment.

So this month our soul-building, grace-seeking practice will be thanking Him for troublesome situations, while we are in the situation.  

Even practicing this a little will be heart perfecting Peace!

Join us?

Lib

linked to Ann and this lovely grace party