JUST KEEP PRAYING | What I Learned Yesterday (For You).
By Nikki Walton of CurlyNikki.com
True Prayer, intentionless, ceaseless, becomes the hedge of protection, the Fire that surrounds you and your family. The Blood that fills you up and becomes Joy… that fills your life up as abundance.
Yesterday morning, after our silent hour together, I wrote a bit more, then got up to make my double-shot espresso. I’d just bought a new hand press to replace my old one and was excited to use it before heading to my son’s school for two back-to-back presentations on content creation.
I added hot water. I added the best arabica grounds.
And three times, I had to pour everything out.
No espresso.
Frustration started rising, but I got dressed, packed up, and drove to my little café, just in time to sit down and enjoy an espresso and a cookie. I made it to the school with 15 minutes to spare. The talks were great! The kids were engaged. My son was so proud.
There was just an hour left in his school day, so I signed him out early. And the thought came- twice- to go ahead and grab my daughter too. But she loves school and hates to miss class, so we went to the park instead.
We played. I swung. He got frustrated with the monkey bars.
And I prayed.
Not for anything. Not with words. Just in the Spirit, barefoot in the grass.
By the time we left the park, he was in tears over those bars, and the frustration was rising again (on both sides now 😂). I drove us to his sister’s bus stop, just five minutes away, and saw a missed message from her:
“We’re going to be late. The police pulled our bus over. Someone said a student might have a weapon. They’re checking all of us.”
I stayed on the phone with her until the bus was released.
Nothing was found. But still.
We were so, so thankful.
I thought back to those spontaneous, wordless prayers.
We got home, and I finally got to use the bathroom (been holding it since the café, don’t judge me 🤣). As I flushed, no lie, a baby lizard ran up out of the toilet. I’ve lived here for six years and never seen that. All I could do was laugh. It was just that kind of day.
And I still walked.
Ten full miles.
Around mile five, as dusk settled in, a woman I often see smiled and said,
“You always have pep in your step!”
I smiled (like I always try to when I pass people) and called over my shoulder,
“Thank youuu! It’s a moment-to-moment choice!”
Because it is.
Not a result of fasting. Or tithing. Or praying in the perfect language. Or doing all the right things.
It’s not me at all.
It’s His grace.
His Joy.
His Presence.
His Hand that carried me through yesterday, and His hand that’s here as I write this.
My responsibility is to KNOW. To be in constant contact with Him. Unbroken communion.
Oh, and I saw a hawk feather on my walk too, but didn’t pick it up (childhood fear lol). But yeah… that was my day.
I share all this to remind you… Joy is not a reward for performance. It’s a gift. A quiet, steady presence that never leaves, even when the espresso fails, the park tantrums erupt, or the toilet decides to birth reptiles. It’s the necessary foundation on which your entire life must be built. I turn to It while walking… I notice It while praying…I noticed It while sharing with the kiddos at the school… even if only briefly… seconds… becoming aware that IT’s the background. That HE is what never changes, makes days like yesterday easier. I pray today is a GoOD one! Even with this little tickle starting in my throat… get thee behind me satan!
Keep choosing Joy. Keep walking. He’s already walking with you.
I love you,
nik
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