Be A Difference Maker

There is a story that I love about a man and his son walking along the shore. As they walk they discover hundreds and hundreds of starfish have been washed up on the beach. With each step, the boy picks up a starfish and throws it back into the sea.

The man sees the boy's actions and says, "What are you doing? There are thousands of starfish along the shore, you will never save them all -- it can't possibly make a difference."

The boy bent down and picked up another starfish, and tossed it gently beyond the breaking waves, then looked up at his father with innocent eyes and wisdom beyond his years, and simply said, "It made a difference to that one."

photo from http://andrew-ong.com/

Today I Pray...

...that I choose my words and actions wisely

Ever aware that...
...every word
...every gesture
...every moment

...can make a difference.

Reach

Flat footed
Arms at my side
...Waiting for life to come to me

Tippytoes
Arms extended
...Reaching out to grab hold of the life I want



Today I Pray...

for blessings in the form of
...sore arches
...and tired shoulders

Help me to keep reaching out

...to shake a hand
...to help someone in need
...to dry a tear
...to touch the stars.

Reach.

What's the Rush?

A flurry of activities
Hurrying here and there
Start this
Finish that

Living life to the fullest?
Maybe not
As sometimes I don't even notice
The world passing me by



Today I Pray
...that I slow down and breathe the air
...that I don't rush the time, or the day, or my life
...and most importantly
...don't rush to judgement

Be kind. Be generous. Be happy.

Today

Today I Pray

that I do not linger in the past

recounting "what ifs"

and second guessing days gone by

Let me take from yesterday

the lessons --

the stepping stones

towards tomorrow

Let me turn down

the noise

and clear away the distractions

of a sometimes overwhelming life

So that I can stand squarely

in the abundant light of

today

Broken Spirit

With little warning
hurt crept into my home yesterday...

...unexplainable
...unexpected
...unwanted
...undeniable

Not one but two
broken spirits
with tears in their eyes
saying, "Why?"

I feel their hurt
and wish I could take it from them
But it doesn't work that way

All I can do is pray...

...that today is better
...that they don't stay down for long
...that they look around and see
...that this is just a ripple in the pond



And beyond this hurt

...there is a world of joy
...a sea of hope
...mountains of love

...waiting for them

Today I Pray...
...for the broken spirits that need to be uplifted

Even in the quiet still of the night
...you are never alone

...have faith
...be strong
...believe

Because you are loved.

Special Intention - Prayer of Healing

Today I Pray ...

...a special request for a local couple who is struggling right now. I received this email this morning and although I don't typically cut and paste things like this into this blog, it really seemed like the best way to ask people to take a moment and pray for this couple -- and the millions of people who need prayers of healing.

This prayer request for Gary and Cindy Hogman by way of Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus PA. Gary is serving in Iraq while his young wife is fighting cancer here. See his request below.

My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not. My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer and her chances for survival are very slim. She was pregnant with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3months, and now we know why.

This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone you know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed, the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit 'forward'.

Please do it and don't delete this, your prayer can, and perhaps will, save her life. Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the HEALING of Cindy and the removal of all cancer in her body, so she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the wonderful mother to our 5-year-old son Michael. The power of Prayer is unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the next few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea. This is only a request for your help.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing! No words can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together.

Regards, Cindy's husband - Gary

Thank you, and please send it to the far reaches of our world.

Heroes

Today I Pray

...with gratitude
for the hundreds of soldiers
and their families
over hundreds of years

Who fought for
and defended
our freedom

Who sacrificed everything
So that strangers could have
...a better life

You are heroes...
...and your sacrifice was not made in vain

You inspire
You uplift

You give us reason
...and cause
...to dream

...and you will never be forgotten.

Perspective & Perseverance

How daunting the world must be
to a tiny little ant...

...each pebble like a mountain

...each blade of grass, a skyscraper

...the earth, its universe

...the universe, beyond comprehension

Oh that we should be the ant
Perserverant in our efforts
No job too big or small

Today I Pray...

...for the steadfast resolve to keep moving in the direction of my dreams.

Gratitude Award

I love to watch the butterflies...
...their flight is pure whimsy
...fluttering freedom

They happen into our lives by chance
Graceful lovely butterflies


Today I Pray
...for the graceful butterflies that have happened into my life
...your kindness uplifts me

I created this little "award" for you...


Maureen @ Aquamaureen
Tabitha @ I Choose Bliss
Amanda @ Persistent Green
Sandy @ One Day at a Time

...To thank you for the amazing gifts you each have given me.



Place it on your blog
share it with someone who lifts your spirit
it's yours to do with as you'd like.

If there is someone you would like to publicly recognize, please leave their website in the comments below, or email me and I'll add them to the list of special people in the blogosphere.

Quiet Gratitude

Today I Pray...

that I find the right way
to acknowledge the gentle souls
whose kindness has left me
at a complete loss for words

I'm humbled by your generous spirit
I just want to say thank you
for your gift to me...
...and to this world

The world is a better place
...because of you.

Did You Lose Something?

Remember...

Joy is abundant...
It surrounds you...
It is within you...

Every day is a choice...



...have a ball.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,the one who gains understanding.
Proverbs 3:13

Not What I Expected

At a loss for inspired words
I went out for a walk in the park this morning.

Awed by the brilliant green leaves...
...against the vibrant blue sky



Inspired by the concert of birds
...that sang from the treetop

A goldfinch chirped as he flew over my shoulder
Inviting me to join him as he swooped
From tree to tree
I tried to follow, but lost sight of him
But then I saw him...
Nestled in the grass
Like the dozens of robins searching for breakfast

Quietly I tiptoed
Hoping to get close enough to enjoy
The sight of his electric yellow feathers
Against the fresh green grass

Ever so quiet
Pausing between steps
Finally close enough to see...
...that the "goldfinch" was merely a buttercup
Standing tall amidst the grass.



Today I Pray
...that even if what I find
as I walk along the path
isn't what I'm expecting
...I am still able to appreciate the beauty
in the journey.

Quiet Inspiration

Today I find myself...surrounded by silence.

All I can hear is the gentle purr of the computer

Yet outside my window...
...there must be a symphony playing.
...the birds are dancing
...the trees are swaying to the beat
...even the grass is keeping rhythm.

I often pray that I will hear Your message to me...
...and know the path that you want me to take.

Yet this morning I am reminded that
even when we can't hear...
...there is still a symphony playing
...and we must join in the dance.

"But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!" Psalms 27:13-14

A New Day

Wake to find a new day
A fresh opportunity
New hope
New joy

Look back at yesterday to realize
What worked and
What you could do better
Forgive yourself

Look ahead to tomorrow
To create the life that you want
With the wisdom of having lived yesterday
Give yourself permission to shine

And most importantly
Live today
Fully present
Accountable to yourself
To make the most of the gift that is

...Today

Haiku of Health

Prayers are abundant
A hug and kiss of healing
With Him you are strong

Today I Pray...

...for healing hands upon the loved ones who need our prayers.

"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)

A Moment

Today I Pray...
...that I never the forget the impact of a moment.

In a single moment...

You can you frown,
or smile and make some one's day a little brighter.

You can look down at the ground,
or raise your head and take in the beauty that surrounds you.

You can raise your hand in anger,
or reach out and give someone a hug.

You can break some one's spirit by putting them down,
or encourage them to move in the direction of their dreams.

You can thank God for your blessings,
or you can say nothing at all.

Today I Pray...
...that I never the forget the impact of a single moment.

He's In My Garden

Why else would they be called Poppies?

"For wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
--Matthew 18:20

Optimism

Today I Pray...

...for the energy that comes from a positive attitude.

When others see the glass as half empty...

...Help me to see it as half full.

When others say "That's can't be done."

...Give me the confidence to say, "I believe it can..."

When other's give up...

...Give me the fortitude to stay and make it so.

Help me too,

...to remember the feeling of going it alone.

Help me to remember...

...to support, encourage, and assist where I can.

...to give others the boost they need

to move in the direction of their dreams.

Nothing is impossible with You.

It is in believing and trusting this...

...that I find comfort, joy and peace.

Mom

Today I Pray...

...with gratitude and appreciation for the woman who showed me, every day, what it means to be a good wife, a good mother and a good friend.

Nobody does it better...

...and I am a better person for having you as my mother.

I Am Blessed

Yesterday I introduced many of my closest friends and family to Today I Pray, and I was overwhelmed by the support and very kind responses that filled my inbox. One of my high school friends sent a beautiful blessing back to me -- and with her permission, I am sharing it with you.

Debbie wrote:

Here is a blessing for you from the Bible (New Living Translation)
Numbers 6:24-26

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."

I am blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

Today I Pray...

...that each day I remember to count my blessings out loud.

Friends

Today I Pray...

...for my friends.

Whether we speak often, periodically, or hardly ever at all
...you are on my mind and forever in my heart.

Our friendship is a coveted treasure -- like a pile of jewels.
And each time I open that treasure chest the jewels shine brightly.

I pray that today you feel the peace that comes from knowing that you are loved.

I pray that today any burdens you bear are lifted...
and that you delight in the beauty that surrounds you
....the beauty that is you.

You have been a gift in my life and I'm so grateful for you.

You've held my hand...
...you've laughed with me
...you've cried with me
...you've listened
...you've shared

You've helped me become me -- and for that I am grateful.

Today my prayers are dedicated to you.
The radiant lights in my life.
My friends....
...my treasures.

Amen!

Out of the Fog

Today I Pray...

...please take my hand and guide me

i've been walking in the fog

not darkness, not light

blindly fumbling

trusting

believing

sure that you are with me

yet worried that i can't find the path

guide me

walk with me

stay with me as i find my way

out of the fog

Listening & Gratitude

I followed a link today that said "Find The Perfect Prayer"
...and I found this wonderful food for thought.

Don't just talk...listen.
Don't just take...show gratitude.

Humbling.

Today I Pray
....that I find a better, more open way to communicate
...that I spend less time talking
...and more time actively listening.

Today I pray that I draw back my open hands...
...and instead ask simply
...how can I serve you?

Today I pray that when you speak to me...
...I hear you.

Every day is a new blessing.
...thank you for today.

Something to Be Happy About

What a blessing today is...

...come rain or shine this is a day to celebrate.

Do not give in to negativity.

Rejoice, be glad, raise your heart!

Blessings surround me.

Today I pray ....Amen!

From the Rain

Let the rain fall down upon me...
...let it wash away worries and doubt
Free my mind from insecurities
...get all the heartache out

A shower of Heaven-sent kisses
...splashing upon my face
Let it lift my soul and spirit
...fill my heart with grace

Walk and dance and sing
...in the rain I'm young once more
Release my inner child
...in the rain my spirit soars

Liquid sunshine tapping
...on the rooftop and the street
From the rain my heart is singing
...a song forever sweet

Today I pray
...for a happy heart.

I'm not coming in...
...from the rain.