By REV. JEAN NEWELL
Contributor
As I was growing up, my family always said grace before meals. I, in turn, taught the same grace to my children, and my children are passing the tradition on to their children.
I remember when my daughter Dawn and her two young sons moved in with me. Her oldest son, Sabastion, was about 4 and a half years old at the time, and he almost had the prayer memorized.
Not to be outdone by his older brother, Sebian, who was 2 and a half years old at the time, worked hard at learning the prayer. He didn’t know all the words, but those he knew, he said loudly with enthusiasm:
“God is gracious, God is good, Thank you, God, for this food. By His hands, each must be fed. Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen”
Then one day, my daughter suggested I take a peek at Sebian as he prayed because he was trying so hard to get the prayer right. He and Sabastion both had their eyes closed and their hands folded.
Sabastion’s head was bowed down, but Sebian’s head was tilted up, and his eyes were squeezed shut, and his whole face was animated as he prayed.
He may not have been able to say all the words clearly, but I believe God heard the words of his heart loud and clear.
That’s what praying is all about, isn’t it? Just talking to God? Scripture assures us that God “discern[s] my thoughts from far away” and “Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely” – Psalm 139:2&4.
What a blessing that whether or not we give voice to the words of a prayer, God hears the prayers of our hearts. A child’s prayer reveals God knows what’s in hearts.
People can celebrate Christmas in July at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.
A full Christmas worship service will take place in the Chapel at the church at 4 p.m. July 14 and 9 a.m. July 15 at the church, 9248 E. Riggs Road.
Worshippers can enjoy favorite Christmas songs like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World” with the season’s hospitality to follow on July 15 in Lindsay Hall after the worship service.
The public is invited to attend Tuesday Nights Together (TNT) at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday night (except for July 3) through August in Lindsay Hall at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.
The events are free. These are the topics of discussion for the ones in July:
July 10: World of Fine Tea
Shrouded in the mist before recorded history began, humans discovered tea leaves growing in the rugged mountain jungles of the southern edge of China’s Yunnan Province…thus begins the story of tea.
Come along with Diane Eddy, a Master Tea Expert, owner of the Global Tea Mart in Chandler, and learn about the history and culture of tea, where it grows, its health benefits, and its vast array of tastes.
July 17: Tsunamis
When a large undersea earthquake occurs at the joint of tectonic plates a tsunami will form. Thus begins a series of ocean waves that send surges of water rising to 100 feet high, moving at 500 miles an hour and traveling thousands of miles in the ocean.
Join Tony Contrabasso for a lively presentation on how this phenomenon of nature happens, where they usually occur, and the devastation they can leave behind.
July 24: Honoring our Veterans
The mission of “Honor Flight Arizona” is to pay homage to our World War II and Korean veterans by sending them to the memorials in Washington, D.C., so they may honor and remember their fallen comrades.
From Arlington National Cemetery to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Dick Vogel will share his story of the enormous cost that heroes paid for freedom.
July 31: Unsung Heroes
At the heart of “Unsung Heroes” are the powerful firsthand accounts of women who have answered the call and stand proud in their commitment to the patriotic ideals of the United States.
Retired Lt. Col. Maggie De Sante is an amazing woman and her life reads like a great novel, but this one is all true.
Jean Newell is the associate pastor at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.
