The Unthinkable

They were jubilant
Aching
Tired
Exhilarated
Proud

They were moms and dads
Sisters and brothers
Aunts and uncles
Friends and colleagues

They were runners
They were fans

Taking the final strides
Towards the finish line
Shouting words of encouragement
And celebration

When the unthinkable happened

They say that in the moments
Immediately after the explosions
There was an eery quiet
As the victims lay
Wide eye
In stunned silence

Hours later
I sit here
In the quiet of my home
Still in shock

My heart aching...
...for the victims
...and their families

...for the people who were there by chance
...and the ones who had a change of plans and couldn't be there afterall

...for the people who were at mile 25
...and those who had already crossed the finish line

...for those whose memories immediately took them back in time
...and those whose lives will never be the same again

On this day, I dedicate my prayers to you.

 

Today I Pray...

...with a aching heart

...for those that were taken from this earth too soon
May you find peace and rest in heaven

...for the families whose lives were forever changed
May you be surrounded by loved ones
And find strength from the prayers
That are being offered around the world for you

...for my family and friends who were too close for comfort
All praise to the Lord for keeping you out of harms way

...for the first responders, law enforcement and health care providers
May God guide your work

...for those responsible for this tragedy
May God help to heal your troubled heart

...for a world that wakes -- still stunned and feeling broken
May we each find a way to make this world just a little better


"Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."  Hebrews 2:18

Wonder & Awe Revisited

Just a month ago I wrote Wonder & Awe
A post for my children
To let them know what my heart holds for them

Today I discovered
This beautiful song
That captures even more of those emotions

Thank you Mark Harris for this beautiful expression of love.
It made me smile...and cry.

Roots and wings...
That really is the very best that I can give my children.

Nature's Chorus

From the moment I left the house this morning
I could tell that today was different
The world was quiet
Sleeping perhaps?

Not yet aware
Of nature's chorus
Being sung right outside the door

The birds seemed to dance
From tree to tree
Awakening the world
....Singing a sweet song of salvation

And in the distance
Even the rooster crowed
A joyful alleluia!

He is risen!



Today I Pray...
...with a grateful, humble heart

How do I even begin to understand
The amazing sacrifice You made
So that we might enjoy
Eternal life?

I cannot.

I can only pray
that somehow,
someway,
I live my life
In a way that makes You happy

Moon over the morning

Heavenly Hugs

Everywhere my eye could see
Cotton candy swirls
Of delicate pink
Against a soft blue sky

A morning hug
Straight from heaven

Today I Pray...

...with gratitude
For another glorious day

A Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah Day!

Setting out this morning
The air was brisk
And the grey sky bulging with the snow
Its been waiting to drop on us

Though the sky is lightening
In the early morning hour
There is no hope of a sunrise
To start the week

The coldness reminds me
Of the somber week ahead
Recounting the suffering
our Savior endured

My reaction is to walk
With my head down

But lo and behold
I'm reminded otherwise
As a dainty blue bird
Fluttered across the path
And perched in the tree

As I walked the path
He swooped along with me
Moving gracefully
From branch to branch

His beautiful blue wings
And salmon underbelly
Vibrant against the grey sky

Beautiful, delicate, hope.

I walked the rest of the path
With the Song of the South
playing over and over in my mind

"Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder...
It's the truth, it's actual...
...wonderful feeling, wonderful day!"

I couldn't help but smile
Filled with hope for what this week brings

As I crossed the street back to my house
My bluebird friend followed me
And swooped into a nest
In a shrub in front of my garage

"My oh my, what a wonderful day!"

 

Today I Pray
....with gratitude for the many ways
you reveal yourself to me.

Daybreak Speaks

I don't know what it is about sunrises,
but one look through my photos
and you can see how amazed I am by them. 

Maybe it's the fact
that like snowflakes
...each one is different. 

Perhaps it's the representation
of a brand new day
...a new beginning.

Or the amazing transformation in the sky
to which we all can bear witness.

Whatever it is...
...sunrise speaks to me.

During my walk today
the sky lightened without any great incident
It seemed another day was beginning
without great fanfare.

But then as I stood at the kitchen window
I saw what appeared to be
The quintessential sunrise

An orange ball slowly rising over the treetops

Imagine my surprise when I saw
what my camera captured.

Once again, I am amazed.

My God is an awesome God.

"To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, 
To guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:77-79

Skies Are Changing

I see you everywhere

In the chirping of the birds
I hear your voice

In the sky
I see your face

In the glow of the sun
I feel your warmth

Somehow you always find a way
To let me know you are there

You remind me
In ways that only you could
Of the simplest
of life's lessons

And you give me reason
To trust and believe
To have faith

But today
You confused me
There's an uneasiness
That I feel in the pit
of my stomach
I am scared, unsure, and anxious

The very first glimpse at the morning sky
Was ominous
Heavy grey clouds
And a coldness in the air
That immediately struck my bones


But as you so often do
Within just minutes
You revealed the splendor
of the sunrise
And you put my mind at ease

With each step
A more magnificent sky
Colors so vivid and rich
Combined with the crisp cold air
It took my breath away

I was awed by the dark branches
Against the amazing sky
It reminded me of life

So many twists and turns
People coming in and out of our lives
Decisions made along the path

And then...just moments later
Only a few steps down the winding path
That brilliant sky
Was gone
Without a trace

All I could think
Was just how quickly
Things can change

Had I started my walk
Just 20 minutes earlier
Or later

Had I blinked

....I would have missed it all

Today I Pray...

I feel so unsettled right now
I look for you
In the sky

And I hear you
In the wind

And today's dramatically changing skies
Sent a chill through my veins

I don't want to take
Even one moment
Of this journey
For granted

Help me to make the most of it all
To see beauty in every step
To seize the opportunities
Enjoy the friendships
Let go of the hurt
And always
Always
Live in the light of your warmth and love

"Give ear, listen humbly,
for the Lord speaks." Jeremiah 13:15

We're All in this Together

We are on our own unique journey
Some of us searching...
Some celebrating...
Some hoping...
Some praying...

As much as I hope Today I Pray can be a source of inspiration ...
I hope it can also be a resting place for those who visit
A place where you can find comfort
....share what's on your mind
...seek support
...and show support to others.

Life is so full of ups and downs
Find strength in knowing
You are not alone....

....we are all in this together.

Today I Pray
For a heart full of compassion
and understanding

For peace
And comfort in the knowledge
That despite the differences
We are the same

All searching for happiness, acceptance, and love

Help me every step of the way
To give and accept these blessings

That's Just Love Sneaking Up On You

Like any other day
I set out for my morning walk with the pups

The sky was still mostly grey
With an ever-so-slight
Hint of a new day breaking

Across the street
To the path
Up the street and around the corner

I thought I was alone
And lo and behold
There You were

Your calming light
Peaking over the mountain
Dancing on the treetops

Again You've blessed me



Today I Pray

Lord, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.

May I never be too busy
Or too consumed to remember
That You are walking beside me

Wonder & Awe

When they were younger
I watched them in awe
Their tiny feet and hands
The gentle coos and giggles

Tiny miracle.
Heaven sent.

They're older now...
Almost all grown up
And still filling my life
With wonder and awe

Did I do enough? 

Do they know all the talents
That God has bestowed upon them?
Will they let themselves dream?
Will they reach for the stars?
Will they make the most of each day?

Do they know how loved they are...
Here on earth and from the Heavens?

Do they know?

 

Today I Pray...
Bless my sweet children
Guide their journey
That they might step tenderly
On the path You have made
Just for them

Keep their hearts open
Giving, loving, and kind

Keep their hopes high
And their faith deep
With the knowledge
That with You
All things are possible

Help me too sweet Lord
To be the best that mother
That I can be

I know I have stumbled along the way
I keep trying.

They are my miracle
My gift from You
My Heaven on earth.

Every Step For You

Each morning as I walked my dogs
I try to use that time
For thoughtful reflection

I let my lungs fill
With the crisp fresh air
Enjoy the wind at my face
And thank God for the clothes on my back
That warm me

I admire the changing skies
As the sun peaks over the tree tops
Or slices through the dense morning clouds
And I marvel how the skies change
Just like the seasons

But this morning as we walked
I watched my dogs running down the path...
A path we walk daily

I was struck by the enthusiasm
That filled their every step

They ran from tree to tree
Sniffing and exploring
As if it was the first time
They had ever walked that path

The landscape hadn't changed one bit
Since yesterday
Yet to them it was brand new

Running in and out of the brush
Circling the trees
Running freely through the field
Stopping occasionally
To roll in the grass
And delight in the day

 

Today I Pray...

That I might embrace every day
With unbridled enthusiasm

That I might relinquish
my worries and troubles to You
And remember that
As sure as the sun rises
You will be there for me

And all You ask in return
Is for me to live my life to the fullest

"Find your delight in the Lord, who will give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord; trust that God will act, and make your integrity shine like the dawn, your vindication like noonday." Psalms 37:4-6

Renewal

In this season of Lent, my pledge is not a sacrifice but a heartfelt renewal.

May my mind and heart never be too busy to remember my daily offering to you.

Today and always I pray....

Lord,  I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.