Dear God, if I do not hear you, are you gone away from me? Or must I listen more closely for your whispers?

This day dawns like that before. The chores of this homestead, the same. You do not tell me to go about my daily duties, Lord: I awaken knowing.

Will you stay with me, Lord, and speak encouraging words into my ear? I am weary of the day.

(Letter #1,626)

Dear God, the morning presents me with a question. Shall I walk toward you, or away? Shall I stay in my dwelling place, or go out to greet your dawn?

Lord, these cushions on which I rest enfold me and loom as walls. Let me stand and go out from here.

Put in my heart an active love for others, be they in groups or single, far or near.

Your message, Lord, it spreads through contact. Make me ready to touch others.

(Letter 1,625)

Dear God, at the quiet shore in the gray dawn, I arrange the rocks and branches. I brush away debris, and make all ready for those who may come later.

Who will happen by this place? What will they do? Will they recognize the care it received?

By then, Lord, let me have walked farther on, long gone. Let me leave no identifying mark. Let me seek no credit. Nor let me hide and peer from the bushes. Yea, let me forego, even, the smug satisfaction of seeing others’ enjoyment.

You moved me to make the way for them. Let me give thanks to you for the possibility that they may walk with more ease. Let me with gratitude move on to the next task.

(Letter #1,624)

Dear God, let me see others as you do. Let me look upon them with love and compassion.

Where I am vexed, grant me a wider perspective. Let me offer comfort and safety to all.

Grant me knowledge of your will for me and the power to carry it out.

(Letter #1,623)

Dear God, grant me new vision. Let me see you everywhere.

Let me not wait for you to reveal yourself, but seek you instead. Let me catch sight of you inhabiting the beautiful, and equally the homely.

You are already with me, Lord, though I have been crying out for you. Let me see how your hand is behind every small happening.

(Letter #1,622)

Dear God, this world stands in the way of my vision of you. These tasks and trials before me, they loom as if real and I fret over them. Thus you recede.

Lord, grant me right sight. These worldly challenges are beside the point. They are not my work. My work is to try to hear your guidance – to respond as you would have me do.

Remain in my vision, dear Lord. Let me not be distracted by the objects in this world.

(Letter #1,621)

Dear God, slow me. Let me learn to wait. My thoughts dart from point to point. In the empty, quiet spaces, I fill them with noise and plans.

But let me wait. I go about my daily duties by rote, only altering course when I sense your leading. But in the absence of a clear command, let me wait. Let me do less, only the needful thing.

I fear sloth so, that I whirl throughout the day. Slow me, Lord.

(Letter #1,620)