Rain

The rain is falling softly this morning Lord and it reminds me of the way you speak to me in the quiet hours: no shouting, no pleading, just a gentle, soft voice telling me what I need to hear. I love to listen to you Lord and I welcome your voice. Sometimes I know I'm too distracted to stop and listen.

This rain is so quiet as it waters the ground, bringing life and color to the world around me. So your voice brings life and color to my life - if I listen, if I respond, and I know I'll be better for it. I may need to change the way I'm doing something, or the way I'm treating someone. Or perhaps I need to change the direction in my life or in my thoughts. I may be forgetting something that I should remember. Whatever it is God, I'm grateful for your reminders.

I ask God that you never stop speaking to me, even though sometimes it seems as though I'm not listening. Just as this soft, quiet, gentle rain is working miracles, so are miracles done in my life everytime I bother to listen. Thank you for never giving up on me.

Spring again

Oh God how amazing is the Spring! Every year it renews my wonder when I see the bulbs coming up and flowering, the trees budding and bursting forth, and the grass greening up every day. It's such a perfect showing of renewal and hope, of joy and wonder, of new life appearing in every direction.

Your world is glorious Lord. Thank you for making it the beautiful place that it is. And thank you for the blessing we find in the seasons, each following the other, one more wondrous than the other. Our hearts rise upwards with gratitude and we luxuriate in your grace.

Rejoice!

Dear God I am rejoicing in your creation and enjoying the world! The sun is shining, the birds have begun to sing in the morning once again, and the air is teasing us with the promise of Spring. Change is in the air and its invigorating, it makes us smile, and it gives us something to look forward to.

Your world is so full of promise Lord and we are grateful for that. We look forward to the seasons, to the gifts of the ground and the beautiful blue sky, the stars in the night and the light of a full mooon - there is so much to celebrate! And now, as spring approaches once again, we glory in your wonderful world as we see it come back to life, green grass ready to grow, flowers bursting to bud, trees nearly ready to pop open - its a show for the ages and we get to watch it over and over again, year in and year out, each time with a renewed enthusiasm and joy.

Thank you God for your perfect world.

2011

Dear God, another year is here. I have a brand new calendar, with so many blank pages, ready to be filled with the appointments, the work, the birthdays, the celebrations, and all the other things that make up our daily lives. I will write times and places on those pages, and names and lists and smiley faces as I plan my days and weeks and months for the year. I love the blank pages on a new calendar because it feels as though I have a blank slate to draw on and everything is new - full of promise. A life to be lived.

Thank you God for this new year. Thank you for the chance to start fresh, to make new memories and turn in new directions. Thank you for another chance to make a difference in the world. God give me the wisdom to know how to fill those days and how to keep my priorities in order. And Lord, thank you for this life of mine. May it not be an empty one - but one that is honoring to you.

Dear God, another year is here. As those pages quickly fill, may they be covered with life.

Nights

Dear Lord another sleepless night is behind me.

Why is it Lord that although I have given my life to you and trust you to do with it what you will, I still agonize over my future? How can I give lip service to abiding in your love and having peace in the midst of the storms and still feel the stress of the unknown? Why can I not rest in you fully and sleep with the peace that passes all understanding?

Forgive me God for the times I cannot turn my burdens over to you and rest easy. Forgive me for my human nature and the fact that I cannot turn it aside. Forgive me for my stress and worry.

And God, may tonight be a better night. May I sleep in the peace and comfort of your arms. And may I let go of the things that prey on my heart and undermine my spirit. Make your presence so real to me that it's palpable, that I can feel it - and not forget it. Ever.

Gratitude

In this, the season of gratitude, Lord I am especially thankful.

For the people I love, for a year of good health, for a home and family, I'm thankful. For the confidence I have that you are walking along with me every step of the way in my life, I'm thankful. For your love and acceptance, no matter how unlovable I am Lord, I'm thankful.

Dear God I am thankful for so many things that they are too numerous to mention. My heart is full of gratitude and for all my many blessings, for my life, and for your love, I thank you. Because all things come from you.

Walking

I walked two miles at dawn this morning God. I saw your beautiful earth waking from its slumber and the start of a new day. I walked fast, and I could feel my muscles tire, my lungs gasping for air, and my feet wanting to rest. I was grateful for the pain and I rejoiced in that walk, God. Because a year ago it would not have been possible.

God I'm so grateful for my life. I thank you for this past year and all that I've learned in it. I'm so full of appreciation for every single day, for every single step, for the ability to push my body to its absolute limits and feel it burn with exhaustion. I came home from my morning walk and sat in my living room, praising you for the gift that is my life. And asking forgiveness for the years I took it all for granted: my life, my health, my many blessings.

Thank you Lord for all of it. Thank you for the fatigue of a long, busy day and the ache of well used muscles. Thank you for this flawed, unattractive body that I have never loved. Forgive me for that! And Lord may I use this body now for your glory - every day, in every way. Forgive me when I don't feed it properly or exercise it to keep it in the best shape possible.

And Lord, may I never take for granted a day when I can walk quickly for two miles and wear myself out. It's a wonderful thing!