Does the day bring troubles or gifts?

Poverty, or the opportunity to ask of my fellows?

Frustration, or the invitation to wait?

Worry, or the necessity of living only in this day?

This grace you grant, let me do something with it.

(Letter #3,383)

The small chores of the new day; you prepared them for me, an itinerary to occupy your errant child. All the while I have a greater duty.

Who shall I meet, and how shall I carry the message you entrusted me?

I was asleep; now I am awake. Is this enough to say?

Grant me words and deeds, Lord.

(Letter #3,382)

Wind gusts across the field at dawn, and a lone figure struggles.

That was me; now I am warm at a window.

Shall I trade places with the walker? Go to help?

Let me stir from my comfort, Lord. You gave me strength for a purpose.

(Letter #3,381)

This world, this place which I once rejected and scorned, through which I stomped uncaring, now welcomes me with gentle boughs and sunshine, while I soak up the warmth with thanks.

Undeserved grace, unlooked-for relief. I spared no gratitude in my days of anger, yet now am overwhelmed with the enormity of your gentle love.

Tomorrow, can I pass it on? Today, may I make myself worthy?

Thank you for such grace, dear Lord.

(Letter #3,380)

Excavation. Slow discovery. Uncovering a whole life underneath the tissue of activity.

This easy path leads to me.

You grant me ease, do I accept it?

(Letter #3,379)

Walking the mews, amid the forlorn and spent.

Shapes and murmurs.

Grant me the grace to view my fellows with some portion of the love and forgiveness you bestowed upon me.

Can I love even now? Let me Love.

(Letter #3,378)

A simple room and life, simple habits and words.

Upon this, let grace alight, dear Lord.

Complication and finery, let me see through it, into the truth of things.

A simple day, simple breath, simple moment.

(Letter #3,377)

You fashioned me from nothing, such care you took with each piece. How each works with the other.

Am I a delicate machine that must be protected and polished? You built me to run and work, Lord, strong and willing.

Let me find use today, Lord.

(Letter #3,376)

Ford the river; it is never the same water.

Bring healing step by step; it is never the same grace that is needed.

Each day new; each fellow unique; each meadow its own.

Let me shed peace, Lord.

(Letter #3,375)

Practice in the small things.

Let me practice stepping lightly, grasping gently, speaking softly.

Move with care, think with care, breathe with care.

Painstaking. Let each next step be perfectly placed. Goal never reached yet always approached. Taking pains.

Let the small things become big things, Lord.

(Letter #3,374)