Dear God, my mind reels with thought after thought, plan after plan. These active thoughts, projecting into future days, leave me slothful and indolent in the present.

Lord, let me turn my hands to today’s labor. Tomorrow will arrive anon, and I may then address it.

Today, root me in today.

(Letter #1,628)

Dear God, I sit in stillness, preparing to go out and meet the day. These solitary moments are themselves part of this journey. You are here with me. You already were before even I arose.

Lord, let me recognize you. I seek and seek, and my efforts feel for naught.

What power you grant us, your creatures! Our nearness to you is entirely in our own control.

Open my eyes to see where I already am, dear Lord.

(Letter #1,627)

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)