Am I a mist, dispelled by the sun when my time is up? Are not we all just vapor?

While we live, let us live.

Grant me right intention, Lord, to add joy to my fellows, to follow your calling, to be a source of peace. Grant me strength to stand.

While you shine upon me, let me provide shade for the weary.

(Letter #2,984)

Inexhaustible.

Let me give as if the stores will never be depleted — for you, your providence, your love and grace — are never ending. The shower begun with a mist, now a torrent, cascading sheets.

Wealth everlasting. The currency: energy, ease, love.

Heaps of inexhaustible treasure — all to give away and give again.

(Letter #2,983)

I lean into you, and you in return lean to me.

Face to face, intimate look from friend to friend.

Let me lean into you again and yet again, even as I am distracted.

Face to face with you, Lord.

(Letter #2,982)

Daily I walk with you, daily I seek your face, daily I listen for your voice.

The same each day; why, then, is one different than another? Have I walked too far, is my vision clouded?

Always it is I who has left you, not the reverse. You are always near at hand.

Let me better seek, better listen.

(Letter #2,981)

I wander the meadow, from spot to spot, without plan. The sun, your sun, shines down and slows the day like honey.

Are my halting movements indolence, or am I appreciating your masterpiece of a day?

Why else have you created this beauty, if not for me to wallow in it?

(Letter #2,980)

Sunlight on the path before me. Shooting through forest canopy, I see it in beams. Light, shadow.

Each passing creature does not take and dim the light; there is no supply to diminish. Even these lonely spotlights do not give out.

I cannot see the beams without dark.

Is the shadow, too, a source that cannot be exhausted? Can I view the darkness as providence, equally as light?

Let me see even absence as your gift, Lord.

(Letter #2,979)

What was once a broad and easy path has narrowed. This is not a way that all can walk; it twists and turns through defiles and along cliff sides.

As we ascend, Lord, will you remain at my side and hold my hand? The heights are dizzying.

A miracle, you walk beside me even where none could. Is the narrowing way the same for all?

Let me walk, that others may follow.

(Letter #2,978)

Time after time, I walk astray. Time after time, you place my feet back on your road. You never tire; seemingly I never never learn.

Will you change me, Lord? For all my intentions, my feet yet wander. Make my pathway straight.

Let your ways be my ways, Lord.

(Letter #2,977)

If I am your instrument, Lord, will you employ me every day? Will I sit idle on some days, unused but ready?

Even a full day contains pause. In between moments, do I prepare myself for later use?

Let me make ready, Lord.

(Letter #2,976)

I collect and save trial, difficulty — all in a great storehouse. My pile of woe I polish until it gleams. Yesterday’s troubles, living on and on.

These are not today’s troubles. They are shadows. Today’s path is not yet walked.

Do old ghosts serve me? The day sparkles with dew, how does my brooding improve it?

Let me release my grip on these old ways, Lord. You teach me to be more a child. Let me abandon myself.

(Letter #2,975)