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.

Something So Perfect

There's something so perfect about a morning like this.
The house is so still
Children still sleeping
And those of us awake just enjoying the quiet
Before a hectic day

The morning sun casting shadows through the trees
That dance across the dewy grass

Birds singing sweetly in the trees
While others gracefully soar by the window

Outside my window
A fluffy bunny nibbles on a leaf

I can't help but take a moment
To breathe in the perfection

photo from http://grahamettridge.blogspot.com

Today I Pray...

...Thank You for this magnificent day

...Let the calm that I feel at this moment,
Settle deep in my bones and stay with me throughout the day

...Should I start to feel anxious
Help me to recall this moment, and reclaim the peace
That is Your perfect gift to all of us, here on earth.

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