October 28, 2022
My Letter to God
Suzanne Eller
Today’s Truth
Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants (Deuteronomy 32:2 NLT).
Friend to Friend
The letter from my dad was on my pillow. He was not a man of words. I held it in my hands, knowing it was rare and precious. I still have the tattered pieces of that letter today.
I also have other letters that I treasure, and they are just as tattered.
Years ago, when I was learning about God, I longed to go deeper in my faith. I found a black notebook and colorful markers, and each morning I would sit and write all the things I wanted to say to God. If it was just a few moments, that was okay. If it led to a longer time, that was good too. I hoped to meet with Him as I would a friend, focusing on the relationship as opposed to a set amount of time.
I read a few verses and if one seemed to leap from the page, I dug a little deeper. I also told God about my day or my excitement over something. I shared my hurts. Sometimes I shared my grocery list, writing those distracting thoughts in the back of the notebook. If something popped up in my brain, like “you need to pay bills,” or “why is that sock lying under the couch?” I wrote it down so I could attend to it later. Sometimes I’d go back and read older conversations with God, surprised at how He had answered a specific prayer and that became a time of gratitude. I also wrote my hard questions, thankful that God was a sacred place to ask them.
In Deuteronomy, we find God speaking to His people.
“Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants” (Deuteronomy 32:2 NLT).
In this verse, God expresses a desire for communication between Himself and His people. Rather than a doctrine or a distant relationship, He voiced a desire for His words to fall into their hearts like rain on tender grass.
Talking with God isn’t a method. It’s a means of connection with God.
Just like my dad’s precious words to me so long ago, I learned to simply show up in all my messiness. I’m sure one day someone might see all the scrawled words I’ve written over the years and see a mishmash of prayer, prayer and study, and an occasional random list, but I believe God will see it different. I believe He’ll see words from an imperfect daughter who just wanted to be real with Him.
If you’ve avoided that precious time with God because you thought it had to look a certain way, please know that your time with Him doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Just show up as you are and talk with Him. He meets you there, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
Let’s Pray
Jesus, I’ve sometimes stayed away from talking with You because I compare my prayer life to others. Thank You that You love to talk with me, that You teach me, and You meet me, whatever that might look like, and that is beautiful, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you long to share your thoughts with God?
That doesn’t have to look a specific way. Maybe it’s a walk and a talk through nature. Maybe it’s speaking with God over coffee in the early morning hours. Maybe, like me, it’s with a pen, markers, and your Bible.
Whatever it looks like, share what is on your heart. Underline scripture that speaks to you. Tell him your questions. And yes, write down your grocery list if you need.
More from the Girlfriends
Suzie’s brand new book, Prayer Starters: Talking with God About Hard Times is not a book about prayer, but a book to help you connect with God through prayer, right where you are, especially when you are in a harder season.
Suzie is also the host of Prayer Starters, a daily prayer podcast with the KLRC podcast network. Find out more here. You can listen on your favorite podcast platform or at KLRC.com.
© 2022 by Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
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