Month: June 2019

Thursday, June 20, 2019

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)

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

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)

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

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)

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Dear God, let me cease all struggle today. I resist obligations, I strain against restriction, even in rest my thoughts tumble one after another. There is no rest.

Let me obediently attend to what is before me, willingly walk these paths, quietly live in this moment and not pine for others.

Thy will, let it wash over me as a river, overcoming my struggling, narrow ways. Your currents, Lord, let them carry me forward to calm waters.

(Letter #1,618)

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Dear God, you guide me; let me feel your leading.

You protect me; let me recognize your shield.

You strengthen me; let me stand rooted and still.

You shower me with bounty, Lord. Let me see these piles of ready treasure in every corner.

I am so blind and insensible. And yet you love me still.

You knock at my door and I cower, frightened of what may come. Grant me willingness, Lord, to stand, shuffle over to the entryway, and open. You wait before me, at the threshold, a glowing beacon of love. Let me become illuminated.

(Letter #1,617)

Friday, June 14, 2019

Dear God, the tasks of the day, they already crowd in upon me. So early, yet my mind reels even in the dawn.

I speak to you: Help me, Lord. Settle my thoughts.

I am seeking calm and relief. This, its own sort of obstinacy. My desperate longing for tranquility is resistance to living.

The day you have designed just for me brings with it moment upon moment, each its own experience and challenge. Yet I shrink from these gifts.

Let me have acceptance, Lord. Let this obstinate self-pity fall away, shrivel, wither.

Let me expose fresh, pink skin to the world and smile at your unfolding love.

(Letter #1,616)

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Dear God, when your guidance is offered, grant me grace to listen. I am preoccupied with selfish pursuits; their noise drowns out your whispers. Self-created winds blow away your voice.

Is this, too, your will for me? That I must lean in if I am to hear you? That I must find a path toward stillness?

I mistake calm for an end in itself. Yet even in stillness there is work to be done. Serenity is a clearing in which you invite me to hear you.

Let me listen with attention, dear Lord.

(Letter #1,615)

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Dear God, make me ready to learn your lessons today. Open my eyes, still my tongue. In my trials, let me listen for your voice. What are you teaching me? How would you have me perfected?

When winds blow, I cower and hide under covers. I neglect the rootedness of my feet, I forget your protecting arms.

In the gale, let me learn the lesson of obedience and faith. You anchor me, Lord, while others shift.

Let me offer myself as a steadfast tree. Let them grab my limbs, Lord.

(Letter #1,614)