at the sink :: thoughts on prayer

Can I confess something?

I am the worst bedtime prayer person of.all.time.

I do say them with my little when he is being tucked in for the night, but since I am out like a light the very second my tired head hits the pillow, coherent prayers at that time are not happening very often. Instead I find myself having chats with God during the mundane, still moments of my day - when I'm blow drying my hair, stirring the steaming pot, vacuuming crumbs, pulling wet clothes from the washing machine. The more I pray during these times, the more it pours out and becomes a fluid part of my day. I don't have to think about it. It just happens. Like breathing. Easy and necessary and wonderful.

But my most focused time of prayer? It happens at the sink.

As a homemaker/stay-at-home mama, I spend a lot (A LOT) of time at the sink. Scrubbing pots and pans. Rinsing cups. Loading and unloading the dish washer. Cleaning fruits and veggies. Wiping up after projects. Washing hands.

Sometimes I feel like I spend my entire day at the sink!

I'm not sure when it started, but I now use that time to whisper the names of ones dear to me who are going through hard times. With suds and and warm water up to my elbows, I say my desires out loud and spill my heart out to My Best Friend, the One who is always listening. In the mornings when I am placing my family's breakfast bowls into the dishwasher, I ask for His protection over them and for their lives to shine for Him. Whatever is weighing on me on that day is released while I'm staring out my kitchen window. My thank yous and praises are spoken there, too.

Nothing is off limits at the sink. I can say anything, ask anything. I can be bold and brave. I can fall apart. I can cry or smile the biggest of smiles. I don't have to have the perfect words. He already knows every corner of my heart and I trust Him. With everything.

Dealing with the dishes used to be one of my most dreaded tasks. It's not anymore. My minutes at the sink are some of my favorite, most treasured of the day. I'm in love with the quiet moments where I can share my heart and concerns, questions and fears, sorrows and praises with my Father, my Friend, my Comforter. He hears every single bit.

Dear friends, do you have a time of prayer each day?? If not, let me encourage you to be intentional about dedicating a portion of your day for focused prayer! While we are to "pray continually", I do think a special time set aside for communication with the Lord is so, so precious and important and necessary. What a privilege! Whether it's at the sink or at bedtime or on your drive home from work, He is listening. Call on Him.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice. ~Psalm 55:17 KJV