Dear God, today, a day like all others, let me see everything as a gift.

Am I thwarted? No, I am saved from a poor decision.

Am I delayed? No, I am made to wait for a proper time.

Have I lost all? No, I learn to ask and receive love from others.

Am I alone? No, I am being granted solitude.

Have I lost faith? No, I am invited to knock louder upon your door.

Lord, I am your beloved child. Let me awaken my fellows, that they may feel equally loved.

(Letter #1451)

Dear God, if I am to pass on your love, which surpasses my understanding, how shall I do so? Is it enough that I try?

O, Lord, take away my narrow view of the world. Open my eyes wide. These radiant creatures all about me, let me see them in their true glory. My brothers and sisters are my teachers, my rescuers, my consolers. Even as I serve and help them, the wretches, they are you smiling upon me.

Did I seek to deliver love? Why then do I get back so much?

(Letter #1450)

Dear God, in the gloom of dawn, like a forest creature, I make my rounds. How go my fellows? Who has visited in the night? We set our dwellings in order to prepare for the day.

Lord, it is in quiet times such as this that I may take note of the small needs of those around me. A gait has changed. A smile comes with a grimace. Let me have concern for my brothers and sisters. Let me not retire into my den, and curl in upon myself, but instead tend to others’ needs.

I am well; let me spread strength to those who falter. Soon enough, I may lean on them.

Lord, we are your people. Let us look to you.

(Letter #1449)

Dear God, you are with me regardless of circumstance. Yet I perceive you nearer and farther depending on my emotions. The error is mine. When desperate, I am in fact protected. When despondent, in fact I have reason for elation. When impoverished, I ought be grateful.

Lord, grant me equanimity. These feelings that wrack me – they pass like mist. They are not real, yet they move me so.

The sun shines upon even the wretched, dear Lord. Let its warmth soothe my joints. Let me learn to build my thoughts upon rock.

(Letter #1448)

Dear God, order my thoughts. My thinking is so unruly and changeable. My mind darts from joy to worry planning and back. All without reason and without rest. Lord, you bring me ease yet I do not accept the gift. Instead I cast my mind around in circles without cease.

Lord, fix my mind. Let me think solely upon how best I might help your children, my sisters and brothers. Let me rest in considering this labor. Let me take up the ease you offer to me on outstretched hand.

(Letter #1447)

Dear God, let me carry with me only what is required to do your work. Let me hold back no reserve nor seek no surplus. Let me abandon today’s comfort and tomorrow’s safety.

My fellows, they toil. They are beset with woe. Let me stand next to them and turn my hands to their same labor. Let me give them the ease you have granted me.

Lord, you make my back strong; let me use it to carry a piece of the world.

(Letter #1446)

Dear God, grant me simplicity today.

Let me carry love to my fellows, in wider and wider circles and ever greater measure.

Thy will be done.

(Letter #1445)

Dear God, sunbeams and drops of warm rain build me up, even in these winter days. You shine on me, though I be a misshapen lump of clay. I need but look left and right to discover the bounty you have heaped around me.

What have I done to merit such love? These riches overwhelm. Imperfect and small, I know if I were to get my just desserts the result would be misery. Yet instead you shine, shine upon me.

What a discovery, dear Lord: you love me without condition. I already have all I need here at my feet.

If I can be so saved then others may, too. Let me spread this news.

(Letter #1444)

Dear God, let me deliver your news to all comers today. Let me deplete myself, leaving nothing in reserve. Let me give with abandon.

But no, I hold back, I rest, I pace myself. I face the world and its demands timidly.

Make of me a powerfully flowing stream. Let me rush on, rush on, and wear smooth the stones, straighten the river bend.

You are at my back, with all the motive force I need. Let me pass along your loving power.

Thy will be done.

(Letter #1443)

Dear God, Can I walk today, with light feet, disturbing nothing? Let my footfalls crush not a twig or leaf. Let me leave behind only love, dear Lord, in the hearts of those I meet.

Yet I sow chaos too often as I march through these days, kicking up dust even as I imagine I am trying to help. Let me learn to go gently, Lord, gently.

Let even my footprints disappear, the blades of grass unfurl. If one meets me, let them feel only warmth and new growth that I pass along from you.

(Letter #1442)