People

Dear God your people exasperate me! Why is it that people - humans created in your image - can be so toxic? I see them being divisive and evil! I cringe when they cause strife and stress among others. It saddens me when a single one can become the agent for discourse and heartache for many others.

Why is this God? Why are we such horrible creatures? How can beings that are yours, and especially ones who claim your grace, be so? I seek to know Lord. I need your wisdom God. I need to see how we can overcome and prevail. I know....with your strength we can do all things. But why should we have to? Why can't you just keep your children under more control?

Oh well. I suppose we can only look forward to the day that evil is vanquished. I long for it now God, when people are such a discouraging factor in life. Even so Lord, come!

Night

Another sleepless night Lord. Another nights of prayer and thought, worry and fear, tossing and turning. They are such long nights Lord!

I wonder sometimes if you want to speak to me in the dark for a reason God. Is this the best time for me to listen? Am I less distracted, more in tune, ready to listen? Is it only because my mind can grab hold of whatever it is and mull it over in peace? I don't know the reason, but I do know some of my most heartfelt yearnings come to light when I talk with you in the darkest part of the night. And as tired as I am the next day, I'm grateful for the time with you.

I'll be tired today Lord. I'll be longing for sleep by this afternoon and I hope tonight you grant it. But I'm grateful for the time we spent together last night and empowered by the spiritual awakening.

Earth love

I am so in love with your creation God. This earth, our home, continues to define the word "awe" for me and I never fail to gasp a little when I come upon some of the beauty all around me.

This season is especially beautiful. The recent full moon, coming up as though out of the ocean as brightly orange colored as though it had been a piece of fruit, moving almost fast enough for the naked eye to observe, and then showing all its glory as it shone bright white in the night sky, sending glittery reflections across the water in a shimmer of diamond dust.

And today, this early morning as the sun rose and the air felt crisp and clean, I watched in amazement as the light crept across the open field and turned the dawn into the day.

This may only be my temporary home Lord, but I am grateful that you have made it as perfect and lovely as possible. I can only imagine what you have in store for the second act!

Heartache

Lord sometimes my heart aches with the burden of relationships. They are hard to maintain and we humans are fragile beings! Love is not always enough to keep us from hurting one another or being hurt ourselves. And the more we love the more painful it is. And yet you tell us to love! And you show us love! And you want us to open our hearts to others. That means being open to pain. I so resist that Lord!

Dear God give me the wisdom I need to be the person who heals and secures relationships, not the one who harms them. Help me know what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and most importantly when to say nothing at all. These are the hard things Lord!

And when there is damage done, Lord give me the humility to accept the consequences, the grace to do whatever it takes to heal, despite my own hurt, and the satisfaction of knowing I did my best. And may those I love strive for the same.

Friends

God, my heart is aching for a friend in trouble. She came to me today with tears in her eyes and a breaking heart because of the bad news she had received from the doctor. Her spirit is broken and her soul is searching for comfort. And peace. And I'm striving to help her.

I can hold her Lord, I can be your arms around her but I cannot touch her heart - only you can do that. I'm coming to you on my knees God, asking you to reach out to her and make her aware of your presense. May she feel you surrounding her with your love and know your grace and comfort.

Dear God my friend needs you now. Needs you always. Especially now. And I need you too Lord. Fill us both with your love. Please.

Motivation

Lord there are times I just can't get myself motivated.

I don't take my life for granted God, and I'm not a lazy person. So then why are there days when I just feel as though I don't want to do anything? How can I feel so "unmotivated" and not want to do more than write all day, or read a book, or do mostly nothing?

Maybe I just need to channel those feelings, is that it Lord? Should I spend my day reading significant things, delving into the scriptures, looking at books about how I can better serve you or improve my spiritual walk. Perhaps I should make those lazy days into "self-examination" days and spend time meditating on important things. I can pray more, study more, think more.

Maybe the times when I'm feeling the least motivated are the times you want me to sit and do nothing. Maybe you're trying to tell me that its just as important to rest mind and body as it is to accomplish things. Maybe...just maybe you're motivating me to make use of my lack of motivation. Hummmm.....I may be onto something here.

Thank you Lord!

A new day

The cool fresh air is coming in my windows and September is enveloping me with its glory. Thank you God for the change of seasons!

I love the cooler days and nights of September and I've grown weary of the heat and humidity of August. I welcome the change and look forward to another season with anticipation, planning for the holidays and recharging my batteries. It's been a wonderful summer God and life is good. I am blessed to be enjoying it with renewed enthusiasm and an appreciation for life I never had before. I feel so content just to be here, and just to be alive.

Thank you for bringing me to this place of contentment and joy. And thank you for the beauty of September, Lord. Each day is going to be a really good one!