Invisible Strings of Love

Yesterday in our worship service, I shared a book that I have come to adore. It’s called “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst. The overall message of the book is that even when people aren’t near one another, we are all still connected by invisible strings of love.

Our Scripture passage yesterday was from the book of Philippians. Paul writes a letter of encouragement to the people of Philippi, letting them know how much he misses being with them and that he is so thankful for them even when they are apart.

What an appropriate message for us to hear during these times of social distancing and not being with one another. It can be hard when we aren’t able to see “our people.” Family members, friends, grandkids, colleagues, kids we normally teach, exercise friends, church family, total random strangers at the store- there are so many interactions I imagine so many of us are missing at the moment.

And yet, we know that we can all still be connected. Through technology, phone calls, letter writing- there are many ways we can stay connected in the midst of being apart.

Today, as you reflect on this devotion, I’d like to invite you to create a “string prayer.” All you will need is a piece of paper and something to write with.  Write your name in the middle of the paper. And then start writing the names or initials of people you love around your name. You can group them into categories (family, friends, etc) or just write their names. As you write a name, draw a string (line) connecting it back to you. If you wish, you can also connect names on the page to each other if the people. Hopefully, by the time you are done with this exercise, you will see a web of names that are all connected through strings of love. As you look at your web of people, offer a prayer of gratitude for them.

I encourage you to place this map and prayer in a place that you will see often. Let it serve as a reminder to you that you are not alone. As we are apart, I encourage you to reach out to some of the names on the list and let them know you are thankful for them and praying for them. Continue to add names to the map as they come to you; continue to pray for them; and continue to remember that you are not alone.

Loving God, we give thanks for all the people in our lives who we love and who love us. As we reflect on these invisible stings of love, help us to find ways to provide tangible reminders to those in our lives that will remind them that they are loved by us and by you. Thank you for the people in our lives. Amen.

—
Kristen Koger, Pastor for Children and Families, First Baptist Church of Decatur