September 2005 

I’ve had my UTO box for several years now and it has always occupied a place on the shelf above my washing machine.  It’s close by as I empty pockets of things not washer-friendly, and I give thanks that we are so blessed, coins forgotten go from pocket to blue box.  As I emptied my box for our Spring Ingathering I thought perhaps it’s time for a location change.  After all, I don’t spend that much time in the laundry room.  Most of my day is spent at the office.  What an appropriate place for prayers of thanksgiving!

Thank you Father for customers that provide work, thank for you for co-workers to help get that work done.  Thank you for control when they, customers and/or co-workers, make me crazy.  Many thanks for their control when I make them crazy!

When I’m not at work, I’m in the kitchen-- preparing meals, supervising homework, sorting the mail, watching TV, talking about the events of the day.  It’s where our family gathers.

Thank you Father for the food we will eat and for modern appliances that make it easy to prepare; thank you for teachers that teach the math I still don’t get; that it’s ten o’clock and I do know where my child is.

A friend has one by her front door and in her guest room.  Her guests always ask about their purpose; invariably the little blue box fills over the weekend with pocket change and prayer.  Another friend keeps his by his bed.  As his day starts with empty pockets, he ends his day with thankful prayers and empties his pockets into his little blue box.

Thank you Father for my friends, they hold me when I hurt, and laugh with me in happiness.  They are a reminder of your constant presence in my life, everyday.

I decided I like my old blue box above the washer, but I’ve added colorful new boxes to my office desk and the kitchen windowsill.  They are visual reminders to pause, “always and everywhere” and give thanks for the daily blessings in my life.

Adrienne Frieda is the new UTO Coordinator at St Andrew’s, Bryan.