Our Stories
The God Box
By Char Forslund | posted 02/28/2008
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
I committed to God many years ago to take that scripture seriously, and I do. But I am even better at taking my prayers and petitions back - to worry and be anxious about. Somehow, I don't think that is the intended response.
Have you heard the story about the man who got out his suitcase and packed into it every prayer, worry, lament and concern he had and marched up to the throne of Grace? Once there he proceeded to take each item out, one by one, and "show and tell" them to the Almighty. As he progressed, God said every time, "Thank You for bringing this to me child." When the man exhausted his list, he repacked his suitcase with all he had brought, turned and walked away. He never saw the tears of sadness streaming down the face of God.
Ouch! I do that. I take it to God in prayer and choose to NOT leave the burden there in His arms of love, but try to carry it myself.
Several years ago a friend introduced me to the "GOD BOX".
"You might want to try it, Char."
"Where do I buy one?"
"Hah! Not that easy! You make it yourself."
"How?"
"Find a container with a lid. Decorate it any way you want, or not, lay hands on it and pray, and then use it."
"How?"
"First of all, write down your prayer or concern."
"OK."
"Then place your prayer or concern on the palm of your hand."
"OK, I'm with you so far."
"Lift it up, physically. You are giving it to God. Then turn your hand over and let it go, and put it in the GOD BOX. Take a deep breath and CLOSE THE LID!"
"Does this really work?"
"It works! Just remember, write it down, lift it up, turn it over, and let it go."
The idea of the GOD BOX is to give me a physical human exercise in releasing my prayers to God. My first GOD BOX was a 3 Lb. coffee can! How sad is that? My first attempts, were sometimes three page manuscripts, as if He didn't know the details! Now my contributions are usually a few words and my GOD BOX fits into the drawer of my night stand, PROGRESS! It really does help!
Last year when our grandson, Gabe, was in a horrendously abusive situation in Idaho, I thought of him countless times every day. I knew he was in the GOD BOX. I knew I could open the lid and see the piece of paper with "GABE!" written on it. I knew confidently that God would rescue him...and He did. Gabe is back living with his auntie Kimm in Kirkland. God is good.
I have learned across time to also put into the box praises for answered prayer, quotations that lift me, and a "blessing list" that I read before reviewing the "request list". It is a process that calms me and helps me give back to God who I am, where I am, and what I need. Through every prayer and supplication I am reminded,
I am the petitioner.
He is the Decider.
Love and Joy!
Char
To respond to this message, email Char at charforslund@comcast.net.
