“Life is not meant to be perfect but it’s meant to be spent together.” Heard that sentence on tv yesterday. I’m babysitting my grandchildren and spending time with them is so much fun. They keep me laughing, make me feel loved and special. Had a nightmare last night and my oldest grandson ran to my room to save me from the monster. I thanked him for rescuing me but he didn’t remember coming in my room. Just like his daddy. Chief and I waked Thomas up one night to take him outside to see an eclipse of the moon when he was a little boy and the next day he had no recollection of being awakened and carried outside, a Saunders’ trait. Chief slept through Hurricane Opal years ago.

Our relationship with God is not meant to be perfect, either. But our time with God is so important for our faith to grow and mature. Our relationship with God is based on love, as unconditional a love as a father has for his children. But God does commands our attention and our dedication. Once we accept God into our hearts, when we are loyal and obedient to him, we can have a friendship with God. Scripture in John 15:14 states, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” God counsels us, comforts us, and encourages us.

God doesn’t punish us for our sins but does hold us accountable. Psalms 103:10-12 reads, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We receive forgiveness for our sins and eternal life through our faith in God. Isaiah 12:4-5 tells us to pray saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name. Make known his deeds among the peoples; make them remember that his name is exalted.”

I think we can have a friendship with God through our prayers. Prayers are not complicated. They don’t have to be said on bent knees, eyes tightly closed, kneeling on an altar. I think of my prayers as conversations with my Lord, nothing more than talking to someone I love and trust. Just conversations taking place wherever I feel moved to speak to God, prayerfully putting my worries on his shoulders, asking for healing grace for family and friends, thanking him for my blessings. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 reads, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I love to listen to my grandchildren say their prayers. Each night a different prayer is poured out from their young hearts to God’s listening ear, no children’s prayers said by rote. Meister Eckhart says it best — “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”

“Prayer is the song of the heart. It reaches the ear of God even if it is mingled with the cry and tumult of a thousand men.” — Kahlil Gibran