In the Belly

DAILY READING

Jonah 2:1-10

FIELD NOTES

I have a greater appreciation for Jonah these days. I feel at times as though I am in the belly of the great fish, not knowing when or where I will be spit out. 

Maybe you feel stuck in the belly as you live through the extended reality of quarantine. Or maybe you’re providing essential services to keep the country running, and you eagerly await the day we arrive on the other side of the sea, ready to be spit out into the new world!

Let us look to Jonah for inspiration, who prays thusly;

7 “When my life was ebbing away,

    I remembered you, LORD,

and my prayer rose to you,

    to your holy temple.

8 “Those who cling to worthless idols

    turn away from God’s love for them.

9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,

    will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”

Surely salvation comes from God alone. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us, even as we wait in the belly of the fish. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Consider a daily gratitude practice. What are three things you are thankful for today?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Draw yourself inside the belly of the fish in Jonah’s story. What does it look like? Who’s in there with you? What do you pray for?

PRAYER GUIDE

Loving God, you are with us always, in joy and in grief, in hope and in sadness, in health and in pain. Sometimes we try so desperately to run away from negative emotions, but Jonah shows us that you are there, even in the hard places. We put our faith in you always. Amen.