John Koza

He put a new song in my mouth, 
A song of praise to our God….
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust.”—Psalm 40: 3, 4

“Good morning, G!  Shall we dance?”

When I was about eighteen years old, I was releasing a hug from my Mom, that had felt pretty special.  I told her that I would like us to be more than mother and son, that I would like us to be best friends.  She smiled her beautiful smile and said that she would like that.  From then on I called her “Brenda” about half the time, and “Mom” the other half. We became best friends.  

I guess it was about this time that I learned how important people’s names are, and I began my life-long quest to learn people’s names, and the more difficult task of remembering them!  I believe knowing names make relationships, even casual ones, a little more personal.  

Years ago, through some beautiful friendships, I became involved with a group in California that met weekly to chant and meditate under the guidance of an Indian guru.  Soon I was playing the harmonium to accompany the chanting in the ashram.  One of the guru’s predecessors was referred to as “Baba Ji,” (pronounced gee, as in gee whiz) and all the priests were referred to as “Swami Ji.”  

A few years later, as I began my morning prayers, I said, “Good morning, “G,” the “G” standing for God.  I laughed out loud thinking of the other “Ji’s,” from the ashram days.  Well, it seemed personal and intimate to me to refer to God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) as “G.”  And so it stuck.  Now every morning I begin my day by addressing God: “Good morning, G!  Shall we dance?”  More on the dance part in a future missive.

If you don’t have a familiar name with which you address God, try one on, or two or three, and see if your conversations become more personal and intimate. To me it makes God seem far less distant. It has made all the difference in my prayer life.

In Christ, 

John Koza