Praying My Greeting Cards

By Sister Karen Zielinski, OSF

Some people take their old Christmas, anniversary or birthday cards and reuse them by cutting out the picture or verse on them and making new cards or using them in craft projects.  I like to recycle the spirit of my cards.

The mantra for being gentle with goods, “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” fits this spiritual greeting card recycling process.  Usually, you take a greeting card you just received, and you stand it up on your desk for a week or so.  After a while, you take the card and toss it in the recycled paper bin.

But what if you place it in a basket in your prayer corner, living room or anywhere where you read, pray or meditate?   I like to place my cards in a little basket in my prayer space and leave them “alone” for a few weeks.  Then, when I have my cup of coffee or tea, and a moment to become quiet, I choose one or two cards at a time.  I look at the top of the card and admire the beauty of the artwork or lettering.  I enjoy the feel of the fine paper and reread the verse in the card and the words the sender wrote to me.  Then I am drawn to their name.

I say it aloud and then in my mind.  I pray for them, asking God to bless them with all good things, especially health.  I thank God for placing them in my life, for their generosity and support of me.  I ask God to bless them with a wonderful, positive surprise.  It takes me a few weeks to finish “praying my Christmas cards.”  Then I have a little respite—birthday cards are down the road!