By Kat Goheen of Langley, British Columbia, Canada

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

I’ve been ordained in Community of Christ since I was a teenager, and this formed me as a disciple. My focus is often outward on the needs of others, as well as caring for our worship life. I felt like a giver; that was ministry to me.

When my first daughter was born, that changed. She invited me into her world as a full-time participant. I found I had little interest in or energy for the needs of others and no brain space for writing sermons. A shadow grew as I felt I was not being a good minister or disciple. In my head I knew that being was as important as doing, but in my heart, I feared I was not enough.

A few months after the birth, my friend, Linda, drove in from Chilliwack bearing a gift. It was a green prayer shawl she had knitted for me. I was humbled and so grateful. Not only had she prayed for us with each stitch, but the knitting ministers had also prayed over it before she brought it to us. This tangible act of love healed the place in my soul that saw myself as a “giver” and recentered myself as a child of God.

This well-loved, well-used prayer shawl stands as a gentle yet persistent reminder of God’s enduring and unconditional love for everyone, and for me. No shadow can stand before this love.

I hope that in my ministry since that time I have become gentler with myself and others. This prayer shawl is a tangible reminder of the blessings of community and of the beauty of receiving. I hope to remember this always!

Prayer Phrase

“Let us work for the good of all” (Galatians 6:10).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.