Food For the Soul

Another post that I wish I could take credit for writing – but it was sent to me.  It's just a little something to ponder over your coffee break.

Psalm 23

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for eternity.”

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship

 I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

What matters isn’t WHAT we have in our lives…
But WHO we have in our lives!

'Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footstep

...if you are not willing to move your Feet'

Could This Be?

Seeking quiet inspiration
A broader reach
An outstretched hand

There is more to be done
More souls
That need to share
what's on their heart

Looking to the skies
I wonder...

Could this be more?
Should this be more?

I'm turning to you
for guidance

Today I Pray...


Friends...
I need your help

I've been kind of quiet lately
because I'm adjusting to a different kind of life

I'm a little blue...
...partially because I'm missing my daughter

...partially because I'm feeling a little lost professionally

...largely because I feel there's more for me to do
...but I don't know what or how

Many of you have shared your thoughts and reactions with me
about how I might use my words to do more good
...books, cards, artwork, etc.

I am looking at all of those possibilities
In hopes that I can do just that

But in the meantime, I'm asking for your input
Your thoughts about this blog
and whether or not it should be something more....

...maybe more of a community, where we could share
...or more open forum where you could post your prayers
and special intentions?
...one friend suggested I share more about myself,
and pay less attention to my daily inspiration format...

You are my friends, and I'd value your thoughts.

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

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

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

A New Day

Rise and stretch
Breathe deep

Let the glory of the day
Wash over me

Help me, Lord, to be
the person
that You want me to be

Let Your pure and guiding light
Radiate from within

Pure goodness
Pure truth
Pure love

Help me to know
When and what to question
When and what to trust

Keep your steadying hand
Upon my shoulder

Hold the mirror up for me
Help me to see and appreciate my strengths
And humbly acknowledge my weaknesses

Give me the strength and grace
To stay true to myself
and most importantly

...To You



Today I Pray...

...for a positive attitude to carry me

...for grace and humility

...and for a deepened awareness of
Your unfailing presence in my life

Still

My eyes are tired
from trying to see
in the darkness

My ears are ringing
from trying to hear
over the boom of life

I'm laying down my head
to close my eyes
and rest
And turn down the volume
around me

When the time is right
for me to set out along
the path

Please help to light my way
please help me hear the melody
that You're playing

And I will move
with You
towards the celebration

Today I Pray...

...for a quiet moment

...to connect with You

...to speak to You

...to hear You

...to fully put my trust

...in You


"Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

Be My Guide

Following carefully
As you light each step

We've come so far
But I suddenly feel
Very afraid

Like I'm standing in darkness
And the path has disappeared
Leaving scattered stepping stones
In a swirling stream

I know You are with me
But I can't hear you
Over the rushing waters

I don't know
Where we're going
Nor do I know my way back
From where we came

Please don't let go
of my hand

Forever be
my Guide



Today I Pray...

...for open ears to hear You

...for Your light on the Path

...for inner peace that comes
from putting my trust in You

"Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor." Sirach, 43: 11

Quiet Inspiration

Today I find myself...surrounded by silence.

All I can hear is the gentle purr of the computer

Yet outside my window...
...there must be a symphony playing.
...the birds are dancing
...the trees are swaying to the beat
...even the grass is keeping rhythm.

I often pray that I will hear Your message to me...
...and know the path that you want me to take.

Yet this morning I am reminded that
even when we can't hear...
...there is still a symphony playing
...and we must join in the dance.

"But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!" Psalms 27:13-14

Courage and Perseverance

Another step on the path I'm trying to walk.

The road is unpaved...
...pebbles on turned soil.

The path is overgrown
...perhaps neglect
....perhaps it is yet to be walked.

I see Your light shining in the distance
...a warm glow
...destination unknown.

Today I Pray...
...for your steadying hand to keep me from falling.
...for your strength as I prune back the excess
....for the courage and perseverance
....to expose Your radiant light.

I know You won't leave me...
...bless me so that I do not abandon myself.

Today I Pray...

...for courage and perseverance.

Guide & Protect

Today I pray...

...for strength to walk on the path where you are guiding me.

...for the calm that comes from knowng that You will never give me more than I can handle.

...for Your protection over my family.

...let them feel Your unconditional love wash over them and fill their hearts with abundant joy.

...for confidence to move in the direction of my dreams -- knowing that you are with me every step of the way.

and You did.

i asked You to light a path for me and You did.

the rain pounded on the roof like hands beating on a steel drum.
steady. certain. rain.

when i realized that You are the one and only rainmaker -- the rain stopped, and the sun shone bright -- and i knew You were still there.

i will never forget today and Your message like a gentle breeze across my face.

i asked You to light a path for me and You did.

thank You for answering my prayers.