Building a Prayer Altar of Goodness

While staying at the lake house, I felt inspired to create something simple yet deeply meaningful: a small altar. It began with just a few stones, but over time, it grew as I found more treasures to add, special rocks, little reminders, pieces of beauty that seemed to call out to me. Each addition became a symbol of prayer, gratitude, and the presence of God in the everyday.

This altar isn’t elaborate. It’s not about tradition or formality. Instead, it’s about redefining what “home” means. Wherever we are, we can create spaces that remind us to pause, to pray, and to notice the blessings scattered throughout our days. For me, this little altar has become a touchstone, a way of remembering that angels are near and that goodness surrounds us.

September 1st, Labor Day, carried its own tradition too. My friend Martha introduced me years ago to the “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” saying, an old tradition where you speak those words on the first of the month for good luck. If you forget, you can say “t-bar, t-bar, t-bar” (rabbit backward) to make up for it. It may sound silly, but for us, it’s become a joyful connection, a monthly reminder of friendship and blessing.

As I look at my altar, I see more than rocks or trinkets. I see prayer. I see connection. I see a space where I’ve chosen to mark the goodness of life. And that’s the beautiful thing, anyone can do this. It doesn’t take much. Gather the little things that speak to you, set them aside as reminders of gratitude, and let them become your daily invitation to see the good.

Because there are so many good things. More than we realize. And when we make space to honor them, we begin to see how truly close God’s blessings are.