Today I Pray

Every Morning

2011-11-13T12:33:00.000-05:00

"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart..."

Thank you Carole King!

Celebrate the Moon

2011-11-11T07:46:00.000-05:00

My new neighbor owns a rooster,
so for the past few months
I've been getting used to nature's reveille
A morning greeting
A true "cock-doodle-doo"
That breaks the silence of the night
At the very first moment
the sun slices the morning sky

Crazy as it sounds,
I've come to love it
Dependable, certain,
Yet subtle and distant enough
To quickly fade off
Into the buzz of the day

On this morning however,
That rooster's crow surprised me
Coming long before the sun was ready to rise

This morning the rooster crowed
For the brilliance of the moon
That shone across the field

I laid in bed and listened
The moonlight shining on my face
Like a spotlight on a stage

Not bothered,
But inspired

This rooster was His way of reminding me
To celebrate the shining lights in our life
That are sometimes forgotten
Or overlooked
Or taken for granted

image from Google Images

Today I Pray...

There isn't a day that goes by
That You don't amaze me
With the gifts You bring
Every day

Thank You for each and every one
The ones I see
And the ones that go unnoticed

Help me today
And always
To appreciate my blessings

Keep me ever-aware of the power
of some very simple words
when said with sincerity...

"Thank you"
"You are wonderful"
"I need you"
"I love you"

Today and always
Help me
Celebrate the moon

Seasons Change

2011-11-02T18:13:00.000-04:00

Quietly reflecting
On the way the seasons change

How one morning you can wake up
And your summer blooms are still clinging
To that last breath of warmth
In the Autumn air

And that very same day
They become buried under a blanket
Of unexpected snow
And those vibrant flowers
Surrender to the Earth

...Quietly thinking about how life
So often mirrors nature
And one moment
Changes the next

...How an anxious "little girl"
Walks down the aisle
Clutching her daddy's hand

And just moments...
and two simple words later
that little girl becomes her joyful husband's bride

...How one moment
Our world enjoys the laughter and joy
Of a compassionate, generous man

Or the free, and easy spirit
Of a young teen

And the next moment,
They are gone
And the world is still
...and speechless

... Sad for its loss
But happy to have ever known them

If there is one thing
This year has shown me...

Enjoy every moment
Take nothing for granted

When you think
You have given all you can
Give a little more

Choose to live every day
...With purpose

Today I Pray...

...For a happy ever after
For my beautiful niece and her husband

You may not know what each day will bring
But remember how you feel today
And hold onto that love through
every season.

And ...

...For the peaceful rest
Of two special people
Both taken from this life too soon

The world is a better place
...because of the way you lived
...everyday.

The Best Policy

2011-10-26T11:10:00.000-04:00

“Our lives improve only when we take chances and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.” Walter Anderson

A Day Like Today

2011-10-26T09:02:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-05T07:34:00.000-04:00

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

2010-12-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

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

2010-08-19T06:43:00.003-04:00

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

2010-07-01T07:05:00.003-04:00

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

Gentle Rain

2010-05-18T07:17:00.001-04:00

Gentle rain
A lullaby
Quietly soothes my heart

It calms me
Heals me
Refreshes me

Gentle rain
Slows me down

Why the rush?
What' the hurry?

Take a moment
Stay

Today I Pray...

Please help me Lord
To keep the quiet comfort
in my heart and mind
That comes on a rainy day

The rain nurtures the soil
It nourishes my spirit

Thank You for the rain.

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad." Psalm 118:24

Inspiration Found

2010-05-07T07:21:00.001-04:00

If you only knew
How many times
I've stared at this blank screen

Hoping the words would come
Wishing I could hear that voice
That once guided me
And told me what to say

But for months now
I've heard nothing

Where are You, God?

The words on this page
may be mine
But to me, there has never been a doubt
That they flowed freely
From You

For months now
I've been lacking
Your heavenly inspiration

Where are You, God?

The sun rose
The dog barked
The bird chirped
The owl hooted
My child smiled

...and just like that
I remembered

You are everywhere.

Today I Pray...

...that I keep my eyes and ears
open to You.

...that I recognize Your presence
in all things -- however big or small

...that I let myself
be bathed in the warmth
of Your love

That I might never again
need to search for
the omnipresent One
who is my God

"No longer shall the sun be your light by day, Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night;
The Lord shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory." ~ Isaiah 60:19

New Day

2010-04-09T07:10:00.000-04:00

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

Deflated

2010-03-25T07:23:00.000-04:00

Another day
Good morning sunshine
Let the day begin...

Filled with the energy
of enthusiasm
Like a helium balloon
ready for release

Up, up, and away
Until a tiny puncture
for the energy to escape

A pinhole
Then another
And another

And slowly
the balloon deflates

Today I Pray...

...please stay with me today.

Help me keep the energy
and attitude
of the new dawn

Help me to be an encourager
One who brings life
One who raises people up

And help me to hold my own
If the balloon begins
to deflate

Racing to Peace

2010-03-07T09:35:00.004-05:00

I laid in bed last night
A million thoughts
Racing through my mind

A marathon of to do's
The stopwatch ticking
A race to the finish
But no road map to finish line

I tried desperately to quiet my mind
To let peace overcome me
And find my way to sleep

But the race continued
The ideas pounded
like feet on the pavement

Exhausted
But pressing on.

One more failed attempt
To quiet the mind
Then I reached for my Salvation.

A circle of tiny glass beads
On a chain of silver
Perfectly spaced
A cross dangling

I held the beads in my hand
The cross pressed between thumb and finger

"I've missed You Lord.
I'm sorry I've been remiss in making time
To talk to You.
I know when I talk to You
You have a way of quieting my thoughts
And helping me find center.

I need You Lord.
I can't do this alone.

Please, sweet Lord
Stay with me
Help me stay in the race

Help me learn to pace myself
For the long haul

Help me stay focused
Help me find rest."

The mind that was racing
Just moments before
Quieted

I rested peacefully
Comforted in the warm embrace
Of His Love.

Today I Pray...

...with a humble heart
I need You in my life Lord

You give me peace
You help me find center

I simply cannot survive without You.

I am forever grateful
That even when I lose my way
You are always there
To comfort me
And help me find peace along the way

I am blessed

Wish

2010-01-20T20:11:00.005-05:00

I sat down at my desk
Turned the page on my calendar
And saw the date...
January 20, 2010

Just one thing went through my mind...
"Whooooosh!"

Where have the first 20 days of this decade gone?
They passed in the blink of an eye

Quietly
But with a force that has left me spinning
...dizzy

I sat for a moment
My eyes fixed on the date
The whooshing sound
Swirling 'round my brain

Suddenly the "whoosh"
turned to "wish"

I closed my eyes
Bowed my head
And quietly I prayed....

Dear God,
Please don't let the days go past
at such a mighty speed

That I forget to bow my head
or hug my children
or let the people I love know
that they are in my heart
every day...
...because they are

....and You are
and I need You by my side
Everyday

Help me, Lord
to quiet my mind
to release the "whoosh"
and remember to breathe
and bask in the light
of each and every day

Quietly I pray.

A New Day...

2010-01-01T08:49:00.004-05:00

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!

joy to the world

2009-12-13T19:33:00.003-05:00

Let heaven and nature sing...

Safety

2009-12-09T07:12:00.002-05:00

And so begins the season
of slushy, snowy, icy,
slippery roads and walkways
and frigid air that numbs
our fingers and toes

Today my prayer is simple
and I'll pray it every day
until the thaw of spring

Please, dear Lord
Keep us safe through this weather

Whether driving or walking
Shoveling or playing
Even if we're just breathing in
the crisp winter air

Please protect us
And keep us safe.

December Beauty

2009-12-05T21:41:00.003-05:00

Warmed by
Sparkling kisses
from the heaven....

In my corner of the world
...peace
...serenity

All is calm....
...all is bright.

A New Day

2009-12-01T06:28:00.004-05:00

Quiet morning
Cool gray skies
Across the field
A dusty pink shadow
Slices through the horizon

A new day is dawning

And though this day
Marks the beginning of the end
for yet another year
It is also the start
of our joyful waiting for You

Today I Pray...

...for quiet moments
through the swirl of the holiday season

...for time to ready my heart and mind

...for the blessings that come
when we realize that
....every day
....every moment
holds the heaven-sent gift
of a new beginning

Quietly, I wait for you.

I Said a Prayer

2009-11-09T06:40:00.003-05:00

I said a prayer last night
For peace

That everyone
At some point in the day
Would feel a quiet calm
....A whisper from God
of hope
of joy
of love

Still
blissful
peace

So if,
in the rush of this day
You happen to notice it
Close your eyes
Bow your head

....And enjoy a hug
from heaven

Today I Pray...

...for grace in dealing with difficulties

...for words that encourage and empower
...for actions that inspire

Today I pray for peace

Having Faith

2009-11-08T09:06:00.003-05:00

Today I Pray...

...that I remember, and remind others
to turn to You in times of hardship

...that I remember to trust in your plan

...that I respect the boundaries
of my role in helping others with decisions
that are theirs

...that I have faith
in the fact that if You bring us to it
You'll bring us through it

Thank You for the blessings of this day.
...for the love of my family
...for the warmth of my home
...for giving my life purpose

Thank You for this day.

Hope Lives

2009-10-31T15:48:00.003-04:00

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

Keep in the Sunlight

2009-10-29T11:58:00.005-04:00

I'm sorry that I've been neglecting you lately...
Life has been a sudden whirlwind...

...and I have good news to share!

After almost 20 months working for a consulting firm
and sometimes feeling lost in a world unknown to me
I am returning to my professional roots
in higher education and fundraising!

This opportunity is a true blessing --
as I will be doing work that I'm passionate about
and hopefully making a real difference
by raising funds to provide
an exceptional learning experience...
...and a promising future for deserving college students!

I have been blessed!

So, this week I've been wrapping up
my work with company A...
...each day getting more excited about what lies ahead
...but also worrying a bit
about how I'm going
to keep up with my blogs

...but then I realized that no matter what my work days bring
there will still be moments of quiet reflection each day

...and though the timing or frequency
of my postings may change
no matter what...

...there will always be time with You.

Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. ~Benjamin Franklin

In Living Color

2009-10-25T10:35:00.005-04:00

You pray and pray...
...searching, hoping, believing
that in time,
you find the answer to your prayers
in His plan for you

Through trying times
It can be hard to understand
the "why"

We stand in the midst of the storm
Exposed
Afraid
...maybe even doubting

Like the sky in the midst of a storm
Life is playing out
in shades of gray

We look to the heavens for answers

We fall to our knees
and pray some more

Eyes closed
Heads bowed
Quietly waiting
trusting
believing

Then you feel it
His hand upon your shoulder
The warmth of His love
Like a ray of sun on your back

Hopes raised
You lift your head
And realize
you are living
the vibrant colors of life