Dear God, these plans circulating through my mind make me ever more frantic. Under their lash, I misperceive your gifts.

I come before you begging for strength to match my intentions. Where then is my acceptance of your will? What room do I leave for obedience?

Lord, let me abandon the self-writ tragedy of my small plans. Let me seek and follow your direction.

(Letter #1,567)

Dear God, I feel assailed. Behind on my obligations, judged, under scrutiny.

These others who look at me, how can I know what is in their hearts? Might they see me fondly?

Let me, Lord, gaze back at them with fellow-feeling. Let me love what I fear today.

(Letter #1,566)

Dear God, which road?

So many have trod down the wrong walkways that now their entrances are inviting and broad. Nearby, the track that leads to a high vista lies behind a bramble and is stony.

Lord, let me choose aright. Let me enter and walk along the harder path with good cheer. Place my feet, establish my walking, sweep away the debris that I may not turn my ankle.

(Letter #1,565)

Dear God, my day, even when alone, is filled with speech. Words flow through my thoughts as I consider what I may say or did say or should say or must not say. These are clouds that spread, dim, obscure.

O Lord, let my hands grasp and pull, let my feet step along my march. Let me not hide my works behind chatter. Let me not drown out your quiet whispers of guidance and leave myself rudderless.

At day’s end, will your will for me have been to talk, or will it have been to act in love? Let me, then, not rob the time I have for deeds.

(Letter #1,564)