McDs Morning and Conversations with God
For some unknown reason I was craving McDonald’s Big Breakfast this morning - no biscuit, extra eggs. It’s a little cold and processed for sure - but it’s comfort food to me. The coffee is amazing. Better than Starbie’s.
One of my fondest childhood memories is spending the night at my friend Jade’s house. They had one of those awesome 1970s vans that had a table and chairs in the back. Her parents would take us through the drive thru and we would get Big Breakfasts and Hot Cakes in those styrofoam boxes and try not to spill the syrup on the shag carpet.
So that is my explanation for this awesome choice of breakfast. Yep, I could’ve purchased a dozen eggs and some sausage and a potato for about half of what I paid, but I would have missed all of this atmosphere and observation.
There is a farm wife talking to a group of farmers about how she had to tell her mother-in-law that her husband was no longer her little boy. She’s spunky and in her 70s and I am loving hearing her tell her tale. As a farm wife, I completely understand family dynamics. I wish I could join their table and just listen and ask questions. But that would be weird, right?
At another table there is a family of four all bent over their phones. I have not seen any of them look up once, or speak a word to each other. The table beside me is a family of three, all scrolling, but conversing, so that’s a bonus, I guess. Not judging, just taking it all in.
I wish I could take a picture of the family sitting by the window. No phones in sight. Little girl, rosy cheeked, watching her daddy cut her pancakes. Total attention given to her. Soft words spoken. Drinking her apple juice. Big smiles.
I think our conversations with The Father can be like this, too.
Do you wake up and grab your phone, like me, and feel guilty because you had vowed that you would always pray first? So you send up a quick, “Good Morning, God” prayer and then get busy with your day. You forget to talk to Him. You forget to look up and notice Him.
Do you go to church and sit at the Table and your mind wanders, not focusing on the Sacrifice, not praying, instead thinking about what to do for dinner? Never entering into eucharisteo - thanksgiving and praise?
Are you always in a rush, going through the drive thru, and never taking time to interact with your family, and lead them in prayer and devotions?
Do you contact and interact with your parents on a regular basis? Or do you avoid the interactions because of past wounds?
My friend, these are questions I often ask myself.
When communication is missing, life is empty. A screen does not replace human interaction. Just like McDs breakfast is not as healthy as a real meal, it sure tastes good at the time, but I’m already hungry again!
Deciding to put down our phones, look up, make time, choose respect and interaction never used to be hard things. The phone was attached to the wall, most families ate at the table, cleaned house together on Saturdays, went to grandma’s after church on Sundays, and lived life together.
Do you feel the longing for a simpler life?
Why not start with this prayer prompt:
Lord God,
I feel so far from you when_______________________.
I long to ______________________ and I miss ____________________.
I feel empty when ______________________.
Help me to______________________________.
Settle these anxious thoughts ____________________.
With your help I ___________________________.
Show me where I am lacking and help me to focus on the life You want for me. Show me in Your Word what You want to say to me.
Thank you, Jesus, for your great sacrifice, show me how to love today.
Amen
Praying right along with you,
xoxo Carolyn
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