We don’t need to say it anymore, the past 14 months have been hard. I don’t know about you, but I have been doing my best to find an oasis from the madness every now and then. In prayer I’ve been asking God to show me who I am again, to let me feel the love He has for me, to let me feel that He is proud of me, and that I am valuable, and worth dying for.
Lately, He has answered my prayer through basketball.
This week, I’ve played basketball for an hour three days in a row. Let me tell you, it has COMPLETELY rewired my brain. I’ve fallen so uncomfortably numb into a routine. I work, cook food, complete tasks for my business (JMJ Missions lol), watch the Phillies lose, pray, go to sleep, and repeat. Now don’t get me wrong, none of these things are bad, in fact, they are really good for me, but none of them have made me laugh really hard, sweat, or make me feel a competitive spark.
My whole life, I’ve been happiest when I am active. I grew up playing soccer, tennis, basketball, and roller hockey. I never stopped running. As an adult, it’s harder to find opportunities for those things. When they come by, it’s like finding GOLD.
God hears all of our prayers, and he answers them in ways we don’t expect. When we pray, let’s be sure not to handcuff God. We often explain our problem, and tell him how to solve it. Trust me, there is a better way.
My spiritual director looked at me once and said “ARRR.” I asked him if he was OK lol. He wasn’t being a pirate. He told me how to pray more effectively through an acronym.
A = Acknowledge
R = Relate
R= Receive
R= Respond
Next time you pray, make sure you pause after the first R. Acknowledge what’s happening, relate it to God (the same way you would talk to a friend), and then let him give you what HE WANTS. Your requests aren’t always best for us. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Sit back, be patient, and let his awesome plan unfold for you.
Jesus, I trust in you!
-Anthony
