A lot of us struggle to blend the secular and sacred in our daily lives, especially on the job. But here’s a woman near Indianapolis who’s taking it a step further:

Jeanne Atkins takes pride in her employees who make thousands of confections, and each afternoon she assembles a handful of them for a time of sweet reflection.

Atkins is president of the Noblesville-based Atkins Elegant Desserts, which specializes in cheesecakes and other delectable desserts. She started the company in her barn and moved the operation in 1990 to Stony Creek Way.

Not long after the move, Atkins started a prayer time at the plant. It stopped for a period of time, then resumed in September.

“I thought we all need prayer in our lives,” said the Carmel resident, adding that participation is voluntary and those who don’t attend aren’t thought of any differently.

“I pray for my strength, my joy and my wisdom,” said the member of St. Luke Catholic Church who is a devout Catholic and attends Mass daily. “Prayer is my strength.”

So at 3 p.m. each day — which is between shifts and allows employees who are leaving for home or just starting their workday to participate — a handful of her 150 workers gather in the lunchroom. Many are still wearing the white coats and hair protectors that are required dress on the production line. Several don’t speak English so an interpreter translates Atkins’ words into Spanish.

“You’re making God’s heart smile,” Atkins told the 36 employees at the June 28 prayer time.

My one slightly cynical thought on all this: how long until the lawsuits start?

Image: “The Angelus” by Jean Francois Millet (1814-1875).