New Day

Friday morning
Some might say the end 
of yet another week
Blazing by
at lightening speed

But outside my window
it's different

A spring sunrise
fresh dew on the grass
Trees speckled
with white, red, pink, yellow

This isn't the end of anything
It's just the beginning

Today I Pray

With gratitude for another day


With a hopeful heart
that's ready to put aside
frustrations
and focus instead
on the infinite possibilities
that come from hope

Help me today,
and always,
to keep my attitude
positive and uplifting


For I do believe that
with You
and with faith
and perseverance
each new day
has the potential
to be better than the one before

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!

Hope Lives

A swirling cascade of vibrant color
Fell to the ground
Leaving a thick, yellow, autumn blanket
across the yard



The garden,
once lush with green foliage
And blooms of every color
Looked tired and aged

But suddenly a surprise
...there amidst the dried up leaves
And barren branches

One vibrant bloom



And the promise of another



...a lesson in hope and perseverance.

Life is yours to live...
...make the most of every day
...reach a little further
...try a little harder

Bloom against all odds.

Today I Pray...

...with gratitude
for the quiet ways
You speak to me

...and teach me to live

October Blooms

Inspired by Judy
And photos of her October roses
I set out for a walk in the garden
To catch a glimpse
Of the last blooms of the year

The grass was long and in need of cutting
And for the most part
The the flowers looked tired
and dried after a long summer
Of colorful splendor

But as I rounded the corner
To my delight
There,
Among the aged leaves
A burst of color

Autumns blooms
Of lavender
Red, yellow, pink and orange

The leaves weren't pretty
They've been nipped by early frost
But the flowers were jubilant
Summers last hurrah



Today I Pray...

...that like these late summer flowers
I don't surrender
to the chilly moments of life
And instead keep striving
To bloom

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

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'

Chasing

Like a dog chasing his tail
Running in circles
Exhausting myself
Getting nowhere

Maybe I'm just
chasing dreams
That can't be reached

Or maybe
I'm so busy looking back
That I'm forgetting
To see what's right
In front of me

God heard my mind racing
and He whispered in my ear:

Silly dog
Stop chasing your tail
Sit
Stay
Rest for a moment
Undizzy yourself

Then look at the world
That lies before you

Go on a long explore
Start moving forward
Sniffing your way
Down new paths

You'll find your way
Just stop chasing your tail


image from Google images

Today I Pray...

...for Your help in stopping the
negative self-talk

...help me to remember
that I can learn from the past
without being fixed there

...and that resting
and looking at what lies ahead
is OK

...but I will never get anywhere
if I don't start
walking the path

Puzzled

Like a puzzle
that I just can't finish

I'm challenged

I've studied the image
on the box

I've sorted the pieces
and grouped them

Edges
Middles
Dark shades
Light

The frame is complete

And every so often
I find a piece that fits
...Effortlessly

Smaller sections
are formed
outside the borders

I see where they could fit
but I can't find
the connectors

Are pieces missing?
Can I make sense
of this jumbled mess?

Challenged
Frustrated
Tired
of trying to force
the pieces to fit

I'm starting to wonder
if seeing the picture on the box
completed
is worth the frustration

I know it is

I've been admiring this picture
My whole life

This picture is my life
And the pieces of the puzzle
Are the key to my dreams



Today I Pray...

...for patience and perseverance

...for the ability to sort through
the pieces
and put aside the ones
that have gathered
that don't fit this puzzle

...and focus on the ones that do

I pray for Your guiding light...
...and Your steadying hand

...and if, sweet Lord
this picture is not meant to be

...I trust in Your greater plan

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3

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

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.

Reach

Flat footed
Arms at my side
...Waiting for life to come to me

Tippytoes
Arms extended
...Reaching out to grab hold of the life I want



Today I Pray...

for blessings in the form of
...sore arches
...and tired shoulders

Help me to keep reaching out

...to shake a hand
...to help someone in need
...to dry a tear
...to touch the stars.

Reach.

Broken Spirit

With little warning
hurt crept into my home yesterday...

...unexplainable
...unexpected
...unwanted
...undeniable

Not one but two
broken spirits
with tears in their eyes
saying, "Why?"

I feel their hurt
and wish I could take it from them
But it doesn't work that way

All I can do is pray...

...that today is better
...that they don't stay down for long
...that they look around and see
...that this is just a ripple in the pond



And beyond this hurt

...there is a world of joy
...a sea of hope
...mountains of love

...waiting for them

Today I Pray...
...for the broken spirits that need to be uplifted

Even in the quiet still of the night
...you are never alone

...have faith
...be strong
...believe

Because you are loved.

A New Day

Wake to find a new day
A fresh opportunity
New hope
New joy

Look back at yesterday to realize
What worked and
What you could do better
Forgive yourself

Look ahead to tomorrow
To create the life that you want
With the wisdom of having lived yesterday
Give yourself permission to shine

And most importantly
Live today
Fully present
Accountable to yourself
To make the most of the gift that is

...Today

Out of the Fog

Today I Pray...

...please take my hand and guide me

i've been walking in the fog

not darkness, not light

blindly fumbling

trusting

believing

sure that you are with me

yet worried that i can't find the path

guide me

walk with me

stay with me as i find my way

out of the fog

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.

And the Butterfly Danced

I went out to face the world today and saw the butterfly dance

Deep yellow hue with black spotted wings fluttering beside me

The butterfly sang to me...

"Keep up...
Keep the Faith...
...Believe."

And I called out...

..."Please wait for me."

I paused to catch my breath

...and bask for a moment in the sun.

And to my delight...

....the butterfly stayed and danced.



I Pray Today that I take time
....to appreciate all the ways that the Spirit is present in my life.

That I never forget that...
...He will be with me when I dance
...when I walk
....and when I rest.

Let the butterflies dance.

For You

Today I Pray

...for you.

You are a shining star.
....capable of anything you dare to dream.

The world needs you to dream...
...and never doubt the possibilities that come from believing in yourself
...and allowing the Greater Power to work through you.

You are beautiful.

Thank you for being here right at this moment.
Thank you for being you.

Today my prayers are dedicated to you.

Do you know someone who needs to be uplifted?

Share this sentiment with them...

....the power of prayer is infinite.
...it begins with believing...and grows as you share the joy.

Bless you today and always.

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.

The Journey

A breath of air
A single step
A joyful laugh
A tear

A hug, a kiss
"Be careful. Don't be late."

Cars whizzing
Strangers passing
New friends and old
Home sweet home

Shiny and new,
Job, city, love, home, family
Climbing the ladder
Walking the path

Sometimes by myself
Yet never alone

A breath of air
A single step
The journey begins and ends with You.



Today I pray for awareness. That I see and appreciate all the good that You present to me every day. That I embrace the journey with the passion that it deserves. That I stay focused on the infinite possibilities that exist because of You.

Hope and Promise

Many years of promises made.
Some kept, some broken.

Broken promises, broken spirit
Disappointments build within.

Those held true make spirits soar
Give hope and purpose renewed.

Today I pray for greater awareness of purpose,
That focus and resolve settle deep within me

...and reflect the Truth of Your unfailing hope and promise.


...