All that Glitters

Lights twinkles and glitters...
Bells jingle and ring
Bags overflowing...
Cookies and ribbons...
Carols sung...
Stockings hung...

Each day is a whirlwind
As we ready for the celebration

Today I Pray...

Dear God,
May we all take a moment
To remember the real meaning of Christmas
To turn down the volume
Put aside the lists
Quiet our minds
Receive Your blessings
And let our hearts remember
That this is a celebration of You

You are the reason
You are the light
You are the one true gift of Christmas.

"For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:5




...

Seasons Change

Early this morning
As the sun was just beginning
to peek through a pale gray sky
I stood at my window
And welcomed the new day

There on the patio table
I saw it --
cool, glistening, dew...

something I hadn't seen
throughout the scorching days of summer

And across the lawn
a blurry half circle
of yellow fallen leaves
against the burnt green late-summer grass

Just like that
I realized that Summer and Autumn
have started their graceful dance

Seasons are changing

photo from Google image

Today I Pray...

for Your help, Lord

that I might accept and embrace
the inevitable changes

that are quickly coming to pass,
with a grace that only comes
from knowing and trusting
in You

Beyond Serenity

I wish these were my words, but unfortunately they are borrowed.  This collection of words is one that most of us are probably familiar with -- yet most probably need to be reminded of.

I know I've posted them before -- but on this day I definitely embrace the reminder.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Today I Pray...

...be with me, God

...help me remember to accept each moment with grace

...guide me in my journey that I might walk on the path of serenity.

...help me remember to count my blessings

...and release my worries to You

...It is with You that I find true serenity

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. ~Proverbs 3, 5-6

Gentle Rain

Gentle rain
A lullaby
Quietly soothes my heart

It calms me
Heals me
Refreshes me

Gentle rain
Slows me down

Why the rush?
What' the hurry?

Take a moment
Stay

Today I Pray...

Please help me Lord
To keep the quiet comfort
in my heart and mind
That comes on a rainy day

The rain nurtures the soil
It nourishes my spirit

Thank You for the rain.

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad."  Psalm 118:24

Inspiration Found

If you only knew
How many times
I've stared at this blank screen

Hoping the words would come
Wishing I could hear that voice
That  once guided me
And told me what to say

But for months now
I've heard nothing

Where are You, God?

The words on this page
may be mine
But to me, there has never been a doubt
That they flowed freely
From You

For months now
I've been lacking
Your heavenly inspiration

Where are You, God?

The sun rose
The dog barked
The bird chirped
The owl hooted
My child smiled

...and just like that
I remembered

You are everywhere.

Today I Pray...

...that I keep my eyes and ears
open to You.

...that I recognize Your presence
in all things -- however big or small

...that I let myself
be bathed in the warmth
of Your love

That I might never again
need to search for
the omnipresent One
who is my God


"No longer shall the sun be your light by day, Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night;
The Lord shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory." ~ Isaiah 60:19

New Day

Friday morning
Some might say the end 
of yet another week
Blazing by
at lightening speed

But outside my window
it's different

A spring sunrise
fresh dew on the grass
Trees speckled
with white, red, pink, yellow

This isn't the end of anything
It's just the beginning

Today I Pray

With gratitude for another day


With a hopeful heart
that's ready to put aside
frustrations
and focus instead
on the infinite possibilities
that come from hope

Help me today,
and always,
to keep my attitude
positive and uplifting


For I do believe that
with You
and with faith
and perseverance
each new day
has the potential
to be better than the one before

Deflated

Another day
Good morning sunshine
Let the day begin...

Filled with the energy
of enthusiasm
Like a helium balloon
ready for release

Up, up, and away
Until a tiny puncture
for the energy to escape

A pinhole
Then another
And another

And slowly
the balloon deflates

Today I Pray...

...please stay with me today.

Help me keep the energy
and attitude
of the new dawn

Help me to be an encourager
One who brings life
One who raises people up

And help me to hold my own
If the balloon begins
to deflate

Racing to Peace

I laid in bed last night
A million thoughts
Racing through my mind

A marathon of to do's
The stopwatch ticking
A race to the finish
But no road map to finish line

I tried desperately to quiet my mind
To let peace overcome me
And find my way to sleep

But the race continued
The ideas pounded
like feet on the pavement

Exhausted
But pressing on.

One more failed attempt
To quiet the mind
Then I reached for my Salvation.

A circle of tiny glass beads
On a chain of silver
Perfectly spaced
A cross dangling

I held the beads in my hand
The cross pressed between thumb and finger

"I've missed You Lord.
I'm sorry I've been remiss in making time
To talk to You.
I know when I talk to You
You have a way of quieting my thoughts
And helping me find center.

I need You Lord.
I can't do this alone.

Please, sweet Lord
Stay with me
Help me stay in the race

Help me learn to pace myself
For the long haul

Help me stay focused
Help me find rest."

The mind that was racing
Just moments before
Quieted

I rested peacefully
Comforted in the warm embrace
Of His Love.



Today I Pray...

...with a humble heart
I need You in my life Lord

You give me peace
You help me find center

I simply cannot survive without You.

I am forever grateful
That even when I lose my way
You are always there
To comfort me
And help me find peace along the way

I am blessed

Wish

I sat down at my desk
Turned the page on my calendar
And saw the date...
January 20, 2010

Just one thing went through my mind...
"Whooooosh!"

Where have the first 20 days of this decade gone?
They passed in the blink of an eye

Quietly
But with a force that has left me spinning
...dizzy

I sat for a moment
My eyes fixed on the date
The whooshing sound
Swirling 'round my brain

Suddenly the "whoosh"
turned to "wish"

I closed my eyes
Bowed my head
And quietly I prayed....

Dear God,
Please don't let the days go past
at such a mighty speed

That I forget to bow my head
or hug my children
or let the people I love know
that they are in my heart
every day...
...because they are

....and You are
and I need You by my side
Everyday

Help me, Lord
to quiet my mind
to release the "whoosh"
and remember to breathe
and bask in the light
of each and every day

Quietly I pray.

A New Day...

The moon rises
A crowd gathers
Electric air
A hum of excitement
And great anticipation
As the glowing crystal ball drops

Hugs, kisses,
Songs of Auld Lang Syne
One year ends
Another begins
And with it
Comes a fresh start
A clean slate
Great anticipation
For a better tomorrow




Today I Pray...

...with a hopeful heart
for a year filled with peace
and prosperity for all

...for hearts that overflow
with kindness,
generosity of spirit
gratitude and love

...a year filled with
joy and contentment

...with heartfelt appreciation
for the blessings that surround us
every day of our lives

May we all remember
to celebrate every day
with the same spirit that is with us today

Unwrap each day
...Enjoy the present!

Happy New Year!