2011, take one

In my regular shower-prayers this morning I asked God what kind of year this was going to be. A year of sowing? Reaping? Discovering? Fasting? Waiting? Holding on? I did not get a response yet, not exactly, but I did get the strong sense that for this year to feel like the gift that it is, I need to rededicate myself to the daily discipline of prayer, reading the Bible, and connecting with my Father and Maker in a real, intimate, two-sided way. Not a constant monologue of wishes and frustrations, which is how prayer has felt lately. Not a dreary and burdensome task assigned as punishment or just out of basic obligation, which is how the Bible has felt at times. I am talking about conversation, the expectation of a response, connection, deep engagement, learning, growth, fun.

What does this mean? For starters, I think I need to take that step I've been avoiding, the step that has worked for me in the past but feels so basic and almost profane that I hesitate to take it unless absolutely necessary. You know the step I'm talking about: It is time to put the Bible back in the bathroom.