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

Breath of Heaven

A hundred to do's
Suffocate me

And though the day is just coming to life
I feel the rush
of the week already racing by

Help me remember to breathe

And just like that,
in the rush of the day
A cool morning breeze
swept through the open window
in my office
And gently wrapped itself
around me

Comfort. Truth. Life.
Amen



Today I Pray...

...please help me to stay focused

...to use my time wisely

...to make the most of each conversation

...to have a successful day

And thank you for answering my prayer so quickly...

......and erasing the tension that was already mounting

Your subtle breath of heaven reminded me
that there is nothing
more important
than this moment with You

So Am I

"I'm happy!" she said

in her sweet little voice.

"So am I!" sang a chorus of friends.

And they laughed and played

and skipped around the yard.

"I'm hungry," he said

as he rubbed his grumbling belly.

"Me too!" roared his friends

who followed him into the kitchen.

"I'm scared," she cried
as lightening illuminated the sky

"So am I," shrieked her friends

and they huddled together

away from the storm.

She cried out in the dark,

"I'm stressed."

"I'm nervous."

"I'm anxious."

"So am I," echoed back in a breeze.

And a chorus of friends

who understood

Held her up while she learned to breathe

That day she finally caught her breath

She heard the words

He'd been speaking all along

The wisdom of ages

Simple abundance

Grace

"My child, you are never alone."

Today I Pray...

...with a grateful heart

Thank you for showing me

that no matter what I am feeling

I am never alone in my emotions

Hold me steady as I find courage

to share more

Help me to trust that in sharing

I will heal

And maybe help others

who are bearing similar burdens

Help me to see the many ways

that I can learn from others

I also say a special prayer

for courage

for anyone

who is feeling lonely

or scared, or anxious

...open your heart,

trust...

and know you're not alone.

"Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you." Genesis 28:15

The Words Don't Come

I want to speak
about the calm

about dewy grass
and the soothing patter
of rain on the rooftop

about the cool rain
that's beaded on
each leaf and branch

I want to delight
in the essence of morning

and embrace the serenity
of my morning walk

But the words don't come

Instead of calm
I'm anxious
restless
unsettled
uneasy

I'm weary from a journey
that's taking me in circles

I need to breathe



Today I Pray...

...for Your calming hand upon my shoulder

...forgive me if I lean too hard on You

...Guide me, steady me,

...help me find center and breathe

"Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God.
I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice."
Isaiah 41:10