After my mother Mary Finlayson died in 2006, our family found the treasure of her God Boxes where she wrote little notes of petition to God. Each note carried not only her love for us, her friends and even strangers but her personal perspective on how to live a life filled with joy and hope. These are  seven life lessons gleaned from my mother’s God Box of prayers.

Mary Lou Quinlan is the author of The God Box: Sharing My Mother's Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go.