O sorrow, Lord, be a balm for my tears.

O fear, Lord, be encouraging of my spirit.

O weakness, Lord, grant me strength sufficient unto the day.

Smile upon your child, I am so needy. Grant that I may learn to trust you fully.

Thy will be done.

(Letter #2,689)

I paint the door and walls of my dwelling; it is yet still a pile of rocks.

I preen in my finery; I am yet still just another worker.

I sweep and sweep; yet still the winds will cover over the path with leaves.

Lord, direct my hands toward true value today. Let me seek and do your will.

(Letter #2,688)

In the dawn, I wage a daily battle with myself.

Let devotion to you, your path, your love – conquer.

Let the chains that shackle me to self – wither.

I fight a battle I want to lose, self conquered.

Let the light that is you, in me, grow.

Thy will be done.

(Letter #2,687)

How do I walk humbly?

How can my deeds and my words be gentle?

How can my dwelling be a welcoming place to all?

Refashion me, Lord. Remake me. Rebuild me.

Renew me. Thy will be done.

(Letter #2,686)

Behind this hedge, protected from winds and out of sight, the sun warms me.

Safety, respite, peace.

From my hiding place, I peek through the bushes – chaos and woe await. Maelstrom.

While I am here with you, Lord, safe, let me seek your face. By the time I rise, the winds will be gone.

Peace.

(Letter #2,685)

I am the lotus, rising from the mud.

Lord, let me love these conditions in which you have placed me, for from them will grow beauty, joy, peace.

I will unfurl from the muck.

Let me give thanks.

(Letter #2,684)

Do you yet live in me, Lord? Then you must also be within others.

When they grumble at me, when I am assailed, let look for You in them.

When I feel insufficient, when I am crushed, let me look for You in me.

Let light pass from one to another, Lord.

(Letter #2,683)

Arrive before me, Lord, and let my way be cleared, the ground softened, the showers ended.

I tremble; soothe me.

O how I truly depend upon you, Lord. Open the way for me.

(Letter #2,682)

In protecting myself, I am locked away, a useless item in a storage room.

Even in battle, I stand on the same ground, under the same sun, as my opponents.

Let me stand unafraid in open field, Lord, and be useful.

(Letter #2,681)

If the light falls upon me, let me use the time to share your good news. You, who rescues. You, who supplies.

All is already well, my brothers and sisters, all is already well.

Spread the word.

(Letter #2,680)