Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Flying or Grounded

The minister said, "If you wish, write out a prayer request on a sheet of origami paper."

Before Easter the origami squares turn into folded paper birds and the birds carrying their prayers decorate the sanctuary.

According to my understanding the prayers will be read at a service--perhaps the Easter service.

This isn't a new idea. Folded cranes carried messages of peace.

Is it the writing of the prayer or the folding of the paper that generates a feeling of well-being, a sense of meditation, a oneness with the universe? Perhaps it's the belief or hope that the prayer will fly-- will take wing.

Yet, how often the response to a prayer isn't what we expect or hope?

I wonder if when the answer isn't forthcoming we play the Emperor's new clothes game and say that our timetable isn't God's timetable or who are we to expect that we understand God's response--or lack of response. Yet, we learn from the unanswered or unexpected response.

Years ago I worked as a summer camp counselor. The last night of camp everyone made an origami boat. Just before total darkness obliterated the lake, yet with enough darkness to see the floating flotilla , we placed lit candles in each boat. Then small groups waded in a few feet and sent their boats on a first and last voyage.

Just before the first boats set sail the head counselor said,"Send your boat off with a thought, a prayer, a wish."

We stood on the shore and watched them bobble around until the candles went out and darkness covered the lake.

I was careful when I wrote my prayer request. No sense in writing out a request that isn't probable.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home