I’ve just come to the end of my supply of the tiny travel Pentalic notebooks I carry with me at all times. The shipping for a single notebook probably costs more than the item itself. The notebook is about 3″ x 4″. It has become the away-from-home place I pray, make lists, take sermon notes, doodle, write down interesting quotes, keep a mini journal entry….

In the midst of scary weather, depressing world news, and election-year hostilities, I can make a momentary retreat to the notebook and turn it into a portable prayer closet. Writing, drawing, and re-reading often remind me that I’m not in charge, but also not alone. “Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” (1Chronicles 28:20 NRSV)