It is hard to maintain the enthusiasm, even one short day after Christmas. We often feel like all that work and all that good feeling is just lost from here on out. That’s what this theme is trying to acknowledge. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, we get lost in the busyness of our lives. Today, we hear the story of when Jesus got lost from his family. We can relate to his parents mostly, to those who want Jesus to be where we want Jesus to be, not necessarily where Jesus has chosen to be. Our job, then, is to go to where he is and not expect him to come to us. So, as we worship today, we are seeking direction that will keep us on the right paths, even as we get caught up in the routines of our lives.

A prayer for life to fill the void

(Inspired by Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2)

A prayer that reverberates throughout time
for a child
for a partner
for a friend
A prayer that is at once lost
and found
A grief exposed for the healing balm
A prayer that grows in the crevice of despair
pushing past the boundaries
bursting forth in new life
A prayer for life to fill the void

Written by Katherine Hawker, Liturgies Outside, http://liturgyoutside.net. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/10/reflection-1-samuel-1-2.html.