One Way Communication

We've been having problems with the phones here at the church. Perhaps you've tried calling here and noticed! The conversation probably went something like this:

ME - Hello, Messiah Lutheran Church.

YOU - [too faint for me to hear] Hi, it's me.

ME - I can barely hear you.

YOU - [Loudly, but still faint to me] Is that better?

ME - Not at all. I'm sorry.

YOU - CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?!

ME - Sorry, no--but I can hear me just fine.


Hopefully the technician will get here soon and we'll be back to normal.

Until then I'm noticing how difficult it is to hold a dialog when it's basically one way. I mean, I know the person on the other end can hear me just fine. So should I talk normally? "Oh, hi, whoever you are--nice of you to call. I can't hear you, but it's nice to talk with you!" Or should I just let it ring? And what if I need to call someone--do I just give them my half of the conversation and imagine their replies? It's perplexing and somewhat lopsided--this one-way communication.

Sometimes prayer feels like that for us. We know what we want to say and say it. But we can't get a clear read on what the other, "God half" of the dialog is. We get snippets and inklings, and we fill in the blanks with our assumptions, but it's awkward and fruitless, this connection. We wonder: is it us (our equipment), or is God off line--screening maybe?

There's got to be some kind of service department to help us!

There is--Jesus. When the disciples asked him how to pray, he gave them the Lord's Prayer. And not only is it a deeply spiritual prayer in itself--it's also a primer on how to pray. Prayer--and that's a two way street! What do I mean? Think about it--then sign on tomorrow at the Pantry for some more on this topic!

Have a great day, [Are you there?]

Pastor Tom