Second Grade Wisdom
So back in 2nd grade, I had this funny little notion that prayer was everything that was said after you made the opening Sign of the Cross and before the closing Sign of the Cross. When the ‘method’ of prayer is taught to young children, prayer seems to have a very distinct beginning and end. And, anything said outside of this prayer window, God simply didn’t hear.
Yes, to little ones, worries of remembering to ‘sign off’ of prayer can be a thing. Or, wondering if you’ve accidentally been praying the whole day because you forgot to ‘close out.’
While this is a small glimpse into the spiritual depth of a second grader’s mind, there’s a lesson to be learned here. Contradictory to what second graders may think, God can in fact see everything we think, say, or do. Arguably more important, though, is the fact that everything we think, say, and do is a chance to glorify God.
Prayer is not just when we make the Sign of the Cross or rest upon the kneelers in church. Continuing the logic of a second grader, if we start and end each day with the Sign of the Cross, we can make every day a prayer.
Today, and every day, turn your thoughts, words, and actions towards the Lord.