Sun

The sun is so bright this morning that it hurts my eyes. It's coming in the windows across from where I'm sitting and I'm trying hard to resist the urge to go close the shades. Because I'm loving the warmth and the light and I don't want to block it off. Better to change my seat.

God, I love the sun when we've had days and days of rain. It's like your promise to Noah, reminding us that the sun will indeed always follow the rain, and bring smiles to every one's face. And at this time of the year, when the heat has been turned off but the temperature is still chilly in the mornings, it can warm me right up if I go sit in it, steaming into the windows. It's comfort and its assuring.

Thank you for the world you've given us God. It's truly a wonderful creation and an expression of your love. I'm going outside to enjoy the sun today.

Quiet

God its so quiet here right now. Sometimes the quiet scares me. It makes me feel vulnerable and alone and it makes me confront your voice. I cannot escape the thoughts in my head and I'm not distracted by anything at all. I'm alone with you and that can be frightening. Because even though I believe you inhabit my being and know my thoughts, being face to face with that reality isn't easy. I want to hide from you sometimes and truly be by myself.

God...its so quiet here right now. What is it that you want to say?

Days

It's been a long and busy day Lord, and its not over yet. I still have a meeting and then a class to attend - and I don't want to go to either. I want to put my feet up and curl into a ball on my couch and just rest, Lord, because I'm weary and worn.

I know, Lord. I hear you telling me to stop and remember: remember how I felt one year ago and how I longed to feel well enough to be able to have a busy day. And remember how hard it was to get up off the couch and how little I left the house and how sad that was. Forgive me, Lord, for not celebrating life by gladly getting up and doing the things I need to do. Forgive me for allowing a long and busy day to overshadow the gratitude I have for my life and the fact that I am healthy and I feel good.

Remind me, God, that when I pray for something I need to embrace all that goes with it! And forgive me when I don't.

Old hymns

We sang old hymns in church today God and I was so grateful. I felt as though I'd been touched by your hand as I let my voice carry those wonderful words toward heaven and my mind was free to worship amidst the glory of the music.

Don't get me wrong, Lord. I do enjoy contemporary music and I like the challenge of a new hymn or praise song occasionally. But God, when I can sing one of the old familiar hymns, when the words and music are so well known to me that I don't have to even look at the hymnal but can let my voice soar and my heart smile with the blessing of it, I feel especially content. Today all the songs we sang at church were ones I know like I know the back of my hand. And I closed my eyes and immersed myself in each one like I was in the presence of a dear old friend who would envelope me in their arms and remind me of where I've been and how far I've come.

We sang old hymns in church today God and I was so grateful.

Spring

My world is awash in the beauty of the springtime God - and Its glorious. In every direction I see signs of new life, and the wonder of it all is breathtaking. I'm in awe of the trees and bushes as they suddenly go from being brown, lifeless skeletons to lovely sculptures punctuated by pink, lavender, and white. This is an amazing world God. And it's a wonderful gift to your people.

Thank you God for speaking to me through your still, small voice in the winter. Thank you for speaking to me with shouts of color and life in the spring. I listen for your voice and I hear it in all its various forms. And spring is so full of your voice that I can barely hear anything else.

Easter gratitude

I remember many years ago when we celebrated the first Easter after the death of a good friend's child. Suddenly the promise of life that Easter brings had meaning I had never grasped before.

I remember just a few years ago when my mother died and I celebrated the first Easter since her death. Tears ran down my face as I lifted it to God in gratitude for the gift of eternal life.

I remember last year when I was recovering from surgery and grateful for my life on earth and I celebrated Easter with a new appreciation for God's grace and provision.

Again I celebrate Easter and again God I thank you for your Easter promise. I thank you for your glorious resurrection and what it means to us who struggle here on earth. And I thank you for reminding us every year, as Easter once again brings hope and joy into our hearts, that you have made us an Easter people. Thank you for loving us.