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