Being the friend

What a wonderful morning it has been, Father God!  You make the rough places smooth when I take the time to seek You in the midst of it.  Thank You for dispersing the fogs of uncertainty.  Thank You for being the Light of my life, even on cloudy days.  Thank You for touching my heart through the words and actions of others.  May I also be a blessing as I journey into the rest of this day. Your gift of the companionship of Christian family is so gracious and so needed. I pray today especially for those who are without the friendship of others. Fellowship in community not loneliness in isolation is what You created us for. 
O Holy Spirit, give me eyes that see and ears that hear those who are lonely, even in a crowd.  Help me to be the friend I would want to have - help me to be like You, dear Jesus; for Your love's sake - Amen.

Mists

Loving Heavenly Father, You are all around us and there is nowhere we can be that You aren't with us.  But as darkness wraps around the house and I relax into the comfort of the sofa, I remember that so many souls are literally wandering in darkness, never to feel at ease, never to know the great Comforter and be at peace.  Why do people reject You, Lord?  There is no greater comfort than knowing Your unconditional love surrounds me on the mountain tops, along the plateaus and in the deepest of dark valleys.  And why do even some of those who acknowledge You keep You at such a distance?  Your law of love frees me to be the me that You created me to be; it doesn't chain me down or rob me of joy.  Following You is the most joyful experience!  It is life in all its fullness! Thank You for Your path of discipleship that enables me to walk beside You, knowing I can trust You with my very life! Even when the mists of life swirl about me, trying to block my vision and mislead me, I know I can reach out and take Your hand and You will guide me. That is comfort beyond measure!  Bless any who are within mists tonight, dear Lord.  Uphold those who grieve, strengthen those who are weak, give healing and restore wholeness to those who battle sickness and disease.  May they feel Your arms around them, guiding them and leading them closer and closer to You.  For You alone are our God, You alone are the Holy One, the Most High and Holy, Holy, Holy is Your Name - now and forever - Amen! 

On the Road

Blessed Heavenly Father, we don't know where the road of life is going to take us.  I know there are unexpected twists and turns and that sometimes potholes catch us unaware.  I also know what happens when I'm trying to be in control, rather than let You be my pilot and my navigator!  I can't see what lies ahead around the bends of time, but You see it all and so I know I can trust You to show me the right way.  I'm not capable of navigating my way through the rough and tough stretches, so please enable me to hand it over to You, dear Holy Spirit.  Things may look beautiful at the moment, and I'm so easily distracted by what's around me. Sometimes I become complacent and am in danger of nodding off.  I need You to help me keep my attention focused on You, the One on whom I totally depend.  I know that if I do, You will bring me safely to my ultimate destination, Lord Jesus, and so I can enjoy the journey, no matter what the condition of the road. When it's time I know You will deliver me to heaven and the dwelling place of our Father, and there is no greater joy I can possibly have - to be with You now on the road and at my journey's end! Amen!

You

Great and gracious God our Father, when we are too tired to stand, You uphold us.  When we willfully try to run ahead of You, You pull us back to Your side. When circumstances kick us, You wrap us in Your comfort.  When we ignore You, there is never a moment You ignore us. When we lose our temper, stamp our foot and demand our own way, You refuse to leave us in our sin but calm us down and call us back again.   When we do, think or say wrong, You remind us of what is right, and if we turn You rush to greet us and forgive us forever.   When we don't do what we should, You jab our conscience and give us the courage to make it right.  When we are weary and become sarcastic, You remind us of Your Almighty Hope.  For You are the King of Kings.  You are the Only God.  And although You are not a tyrant, You are in control of the entire universe.  In my weakness I am amazed at Your strength of love, hope and faithfulness.  All that matters is You.  How awesome that I matter to You... Thank You, my Trinity, my All, me Everything.   Forever and Ever, Amen

Mysterious Comforter

Holy, merciful Father-God, full of grace and wonder, might and majesty, You are above and beyond, You are within and throughout, You are indeed mysterious and yet comforting to my soul.  Like the sunshine You warm my heart, like the rain You water my spirit, like the soil You nurture my mind that I may grow.  All nature sings of You.  I see Your care reflected in the deep eyes of my trusting dog.  I hear Your love proclaimed by the cardinals as they sing.  I feel Your goodness in the touch of the cooling breeze.  Even as I hear the rumble of thunder in the distance I know that I am safe whatever comes.  O what a gift to know that's true!  O how my heart weeps for those who don't know You, dear Christ.  How terrible the thought that there are those who out-and-out reject Your love!  Help me to live so that others will be drawn to You.  May I never place a stumbling black between anyone - whomsoever they be! - and You, their Saviour.  Keep reminding me throughout my day that whatever I do or say may introduce You to someone, or - God forbid it! - turn them away from You.  Give me a warm heart, a singing spirit, a mind filled with goodness, for Your Love's sake, dear Mysterious Comforter, I pray  - Amen!

For a reason

It's past dusk, Father God, and the dark is wrapping us up for the night.  I am so blessed to live somewhere without light pollution, so Your stars can light up my darkness.  Thank You for the rhythm of day and night; for the times of activity and the times of rest.  Thank You for this holy Lord's Day, a time to cease from our usual routines and pause within the sacred.  Forgive us when we ignore these blessings of time and space.  Forgive us when we think we know better than You do what's most important in our lives.  I have such a bad habit of wanting to take control, Lord.  Thank You for the closing in of the night and the reminder that You separated the light from the dark, the day from the night, the workweek from the Sabbath for a reason - You did it for me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!  You created things as they are in the working  of the universe for me.  How could I even dream of being able to be in control of anything?  We praise You and lift our Alleluias on high with the choirs of angels, as they sing, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" for all eternity. Amen and Amen and Amen!

Uplifted and Renewed!

Heavenly Father God, You are here and You are listening every moment of every day.  What a wonder that is for me, the one who finds it so hard to listen for even a few minutes!  As I sit here this morning, the air is heavy with humidity and the wind chimes are still.  The birds don't even seem to be singing and the silence is almost claustrophobic as it surrounds me.  But I cannot be heavyhearted even within this summer heat that weighs on me, because You are here!  If I listen very closely and watch very carefully I can see the signs of Your presence - gently the corn tassels stir and my soul is refreshed with the knowledge that You love me.  Nothing and no one can renew me as You can! There is nothing of greater importance today than to spend time with You, my loving God.  Bless me with the peace of Your touch and enable me to be a reflection of You, O Christ, in the life You would have me live, the places You would have me go, the people You would have me meet today.  Then I can face anything!  Yes, the circumstances may be heavy and oppressive, but You are my uplifting joy!  You are the only One who saves me and holds me and brings me the refreshing water of real life - Kingdom life!  Hallelujah!  Blessed be the Father, the Son, the Spirit - Three-in-One!  Amen!