Something So Perfect

There's something so perfect about a morning like this.
The house is so still
Children still sleeping
And those of us awake just enjoying the quiet
Before a hectic day

The morning sun casting shadows through the trees
That dance across the dewy grass

Birds singing sweetly in the trees
While others gracefully soar by the window

Outside my window
A fluffy bunny nibbles on a leaf

I can't help but take a moment
To breathe in the perfection

photo from http://grahamettridge.blogspot.com

Today I Pray...

...Thank You for this magnificent day

...Let the calm that I feel at this moment,
Settle deep in my bones and stay with me throughout the day

...Should I start to feel anxious
Help me to recall this moment, and reclaim the peace
That is Your perfect gift to all of us, here on earth.

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!

Whispers

Each day begins the same
A stretch
...to open myself
to receive the day You've given me

A moment of thanks
A prayer for Your guidance
throughout my day

Then a quiet moment while I listen
For a cue from You

"How can I serve you today, God?"

Sometimes I hear Your response
In the rush of the wind,
In a hug from my child,
Or in the purr of the kitten
Curled up in my lap

Sometimes I hear You calling
From a distance
And I spend my day
Searching
Listening
Following your call
Each moment
Moving closer to You

Then other times
Like today
Your presence is certain
I am calm, peaceful, centered
Yet Your voice is but a whisper

…and it is only through
Quiet reflection
That I can hear



Today I Pray…

Stay with me today…
…help me quiet my mind

So that I can hear
Your gentle whispers

I am ready to walk
...please guide my footsteps

Help me, today
....As always
To be the person
You have designed me to be

No One Heard

She cried out in the night
And no one heard

Helpless
Hopeless
Alone

Ashamed
She hid the bruises
So no one would see

And though his words
Cut through her
like a knife
She shielded her bleeding heart

She cried out in the night
And no one heard

Helpless
Hopeless
Alone


Image from gunfightersview.blogspot.com

Today I Pray...

...with a grateful heart
for the loving relationships
that have always been a part of my life

I am a lucky one...
...others can't say the same

I pray for help and healing
for the wounded souls
who are impacted by domestic violence

May the abused
find comfort, peace and love

May the abusers
seek help and self-healing

May the rest of us
find a way to make a difference


I first started to learn the staggering facts about domestic violence through my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Over the years, Alpha Chi has adopted several national causes. Currently, almost all of our chapters, both collegiate and alumnae, work to end domestic violence. Although I am not associated with an alumnae chapter, I want to do my part to help end the horror of domestic violence.

I offer my post today in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I would like to ask you to help me make a difference for the estimated 1.3 million women who are victims of domestic violence each year.

Here are just a few ways you can help.

• First of all -- PRAY -- it matters.
• Share this post with your network of friends.
• Email it.
• Tweet about it.
• Blog about it.
• Spread the word however you see fit.

In addition, as an independent representative of Wildtree (all-natural foods products), I will be donating 20% of all sales made this month to Silent Witness National Initiative. Please consider shopping with me as a way to eat healthy and help stop domestic violence.

Note: This is my own commitment made independently of Wildtree, only sales made through my website will qualify.

Please do what you can to help make a difference.

Quietly

The day breaks
quietly

No crash
No boom
No bang

Just the steady tick tick tick
Of the clock on the wall

And a silent rush
Of comfort
As a new day begins

Surely in this morning sky
I see a glimpse
Of heaven

And I feel Your quiet presence
In my heart
my mind
my soul

Quietly
the day begins




Today I Pray...

...for comfort in the quiet moments

...for peace within

...for a positive attitude

...and the focus to make the most
of the gift I've been given

...another glorious day

Serenity

The simple abundance
of life's blessings
captured in the serenity
of the morning sky

Today I Pray...

...that your gift
of peace and serenity,
wrapped up in this beautiful sky
settle deep within my heart and soul
and stay long after the sun has risen

Sometimes

Sometimes...

... the sun rises
But the skies are not bright

....waves break
Though the ocean seems at rest

...birds fly
But don't swoop in fanciful flight

...people laugh
When inside they're crying

...life is good
But the heart still aches



Today I Pray...

...with a quiet and open heart

Breathe Your gentle peace
into my soul

That I might be aware
of Your unfailing presence in my life

Stay close, Lord

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30

Nothing Like It

There is nothing

quite like the spray of salty air

on your face

And sand between your toes

And the call of the seagulls

and pelicans

A change of pace

A chance to step away

from every day life

And make castles in the sand

photo from bing images

Today I Pray...

...with gratitude

for the opportunity

to step away from every day life

and delight in the joy of my family

Melt

Trying so hard

to hold it all together

Now is not the time

to come undone

But the dog's barking

The phone's ringing

So much to do, and

Tensions are running high

The mountain of belongings

stacked up in the hall

Tell a story of a new adventure

about to begin

...the next step for a little girl

who's growing up

...and the mix of emotions

for a family who is learning to let go

Without even realizing it

A tear rolls down my face

then another

....and before I know it

I begin to melt

Today I Pray...

....for laughter and joy

...for patience and understanding

...for compassionate hearts

And a deep awareness of

Your unfailing

peace and love

settled deep within our bones

Unexpected Gift

No poetry or prose today
no flutters of inspiration

Just a quiet mind
the purr of the computer
and a steady beat of my heart

The music of solitude

An unexpected gift of calm
Amid the swirling chaos called life



Today I Pray...

...with a grateful heart

for the gift of a peaceful morning

...with so much to be done in the days ahead
this gift was a weight off my shoulders
a reprieve from stress

I know it was a gift from You
and I'm starting to realize
that it is a blessing
that is always there for the taking

Always there....

...Still

"He woke up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39

When Angels Speak

Sometimes it's the flutter
of a butterfly's wings

Or the chorus of birds
in the trees

It's a pet's gentle purr
or wagging tail

A child's innocent eyes
silly giggles
popcicle kisses
and goodnight hugs

When angels speak
...Your heart smiles

Screeching brakes
without a crash

The phone call
to say "I've arrived"

A soldier's
first step on home soil

When angels speak
...Your heart beats

It's a cool breeze
on a sticky summer day
that wraps itself around you
like a scarf in winter

It's the hush
of a quiet morning

And the serenity
of a starry night

When angels speak
...You are soothed

It's the outstretched hand
that asks for help

The ones who inspire you
...to think
...to dig deeper
...to share generously
...to be more
....than you ever imagined

When angels speak
...Your heart soars



Today I Pray...

...with immeasurable gratitude
for the angels who have spoken
to me over the years

...some have names
...others just are

They've guided and protected
the ones I love

They've taken my breath away
with their beauty

And taught me to breathe
through anxious times

They've brought tears of joy
to my eyes

And helped me find peace
in the darkest hours

Today I also say a special prayer
for Kristin

...in your quest for clarity
please know
that you are an angel
who delivered
peace, hope and joy

Whatever I can do in return
for you...
would be a gift to me

Everywhere

I was still...
and God talked to me

At first I heard nothing
...just a quiet calm

With a grateful heart
I started
to go about my day

He never broke the silence
but as I gazed out the window
at the dewy July morning
...His words were clear
...and pure comfort

He told me
that He loved me
and that He heard my prayer

And He reassured me
that I am never alone

"In fact," He said,
"There are angels
all around you.

Sometimes
you just mistake them
for something else."

"Some speak
Some fly
Some whisper in you ear
Some flutter like a curtain
in the breeze

Some hug you
Some kiss you
Some never say a word"

"And some," He said,
"just wag their tails."


From out my window this morning, my puppy rested and watched.
He didn't beg or bark. He didn't sleep.
He just watched and made sure that I was alright.

Today I Pray...

...that you recognize the angels around you.

Angel, like blessings, are everywhere.

Happy Endings

We grow up on fairy tales
And dreams of happy endings
Believing
In infinite possibilities

Then life happens
Hopes shatter
Dreams fade
Our perspective becomes jaded

How sad
That we lose sight
Of the happy-ever-after
That is fully ours

When we learn
To trust
To believe
And to love and be loved
By God

Today I Pray...

...with a faithful and hopeful heart

...for true contentment

settled deep within my bones
...for peace where there is unrest
...for joy where there is sadness

Be Joyful. Be Faithful. Find Peace.

Anxious

The alarm clock buzzed
And my heart raced
Immediately anxious about a day
That holds unpleasant challenges

The truest sign of an internal struggle



A war between want and need
Fully aware of what's best for me
At odds with what's best for others

Trying to summon a refreshed attitude
Answered only by a heavy thumping in my chest

Today I Pray...

...for strength
to carry me past adversity

...for light
on the path that I am meant to walk

...for a calming breath
to overcome the anxiety

Breathe In. Breathe Out. Find Peace.

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.

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.

No Worries

Today I Pray...

...for no worries.

What good comes from burdening our hearts and minds with worry?
...Worry that only serves to distract me from all the positive things in my life.
...Worry that doesn't make me stronger, but instead cripples me.

Help me today to turn my concerns over to you...

...to remember to celebrate the joys in my life
....to stay focused on doing what I'm meant to do
...and enjoy the quiet peace that comes from knowing that Your plan for me is perfect
....and there is simply no need or place for worry.

Let it shine.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Today I Pray...

...for your peace within me.

...for the calm and quiet confidence that comes from knowing You are with me.

Help me to remember to breathe in, and breathe out...

...as I face the challenges this day is guaranteed to present.

I pray for the grace to rise above the adversity...

...and the humility to hold my tongue.


Let my words be positive, thoughtful and uplifting.

Today I pray for your peace within me.


...if you are reading this, please say a prayer for me too. I am facing a difficult day and I need all the support I can get. Thank you for your kindness.

...Please tell me how I can pray for you.