A Day Like Today

I'm not quite sure what it is
About a day like today
That speaks to me differently
Than any other day

...Maybe it's the morning sky
that calls to me
...almost begging me to jump in and seize the day.



...Maybe it's the ability to see the path that is before me.

...or the world of possibilities in the distance

...Or the beauty of what is right before my eyes.

 Or maybe...

Just maybe it is a moment of awakening

When I see how His Light peaks through

In the most unexpected places.

Today I Pray...

With gratitude

for this day of awakening

And for the reminder of all that is possible

through You

Keep me focused 

so that I might not become

lazy or complacent

Guide so that I don't lose my way

Help me, always,

to hear that rooster crowing

in the distance

To awaken my spirit

Today I Pray...

for more days like today.

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

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

Lost and Found

When I was just
a little girl
I lost a precious gold locket
that I had received as a gift

When I realized my loss
I cried

My mother came up
and put her arm around my shoulder,
"Why are you crying?"

I told her what happened
And I sobbed into her tender embrace

"All is not lost," she said
"Did you ask St. Anthony for his help?"

"Who's that?" I asked, puzzled
by the introduction of this new saint.

"When you lose something," she said,
"Just say a prayer to St. Anthony.
He will help you find it."

"Pray like this...
Dear St. Anthony,
please come down,
something's lost
and can't be found."

"Or if you want to be less formal," she said,
"Tony! Tony! Look around!
My locket's lost and must be found."

My mother was now sitting
on the floor of my bedroom
with her legs stretched out in front of her

I laid my head in her lap
And closed my tear-filled eyes

Through sniffles,
I carefully repeated her words

"Dear St. Anthony,
please come down
my locket's lost
and must be found."

I repeated the verse
one more time,
and as I wiped
the tears from my eyes
I saw the sparkle of a silver jewelry box
that had fallen behind my dresser

"What's that?" I said,
as I crawled from my mother's lap
in the direction of the glimmering box

I laid on my belly and
reached under the dresser
to pull out the box

Sure as could be,
it contained my gold locket

I looked up at my mother
with wide-eyed amazement

Then looked to the heavens and said,
"Thank you St. Anthony!"

I still summon that prayer
anytime I've lost something

In fact, St. Anthony and I
have gotten fairly chummy
over the years as I frequently lose
my keys or sunglasses, or shoes

But this morning I thought of him
not because I lost a possession
But I fear sometimes that
I've lost my footing
on this uncertain path that I'm walking



Today I Pray...

Dear St. Anthony
Please come down

Life can be a bit like a maze
Sometimes there are dead ends
Sometimes you take wrong turns
Sometimes we just misstep

I don't know if I'm lost
or just so deep into this maze
That I don't know my way out

Please be that angel on my shoulder
helping to guide me on my way

Be My Guide

In everything I do
I put my trust
in You

Guide my thoughts
and actions

Help me clear away
the excess
and stay focused
on the path before me

Help me find center
Fill my soul
with your joyful spirit

Help me
to be more than I was
yesterday

With a peaceful
and trusting heart

...Where You lead
I will follow



Today I Pray...

...for your guidance
as I try to find my way

...stay with me
such that I can
feel the strength
that comes from knowing
You are right here
by my side

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.

Clarity

Optimistic eyes
See life as opportunity

Dreams are boundless
Possibilities -- infinite
...sometimes dizzying

Like a merry-go-round
Spinning so fast

Sometimes it's a challenge
...to find clarity
as the world is passing by

...or to keep sure footing
as you move about

Don't lose your balance
By trying to move
too far, too fast

Steady yourself
Hold tight
Find clarity
Enjoy the ride



Today I Pray...

...for a better understanding of where I stand
on this merry-go-round of life

...for focus within,
steady footing,
and clarity of purpose

Help me to quiet my mind so that I can...

...hear Your call
...enjoy the sweet melody of life's carousel
...and proceed in the directions of my dream
with sure footing and clarity of purpose.