Little by little, I leave behind worry. How?

A hundred kinds of fear — of failure, of ignominy, of lack, of loss. They awaken with me and accompany me in my morning routine. Worry sits with me as I dress and consider the day.

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At what point, Lord, do you begin to enter and dispel these termites? The worries of dawn give way to joy under bright skies. When did you do this? I could not have, of my own devices.

The miracle, today’s miracle: my changed heart.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I imagine a later moment, even now?

Reading:

“Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.” — Pema Chödrön

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“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.” — Psalm 30:11 (KJV)

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Over and over.

You rescued me. Again and again, you rescued me.

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Would I think you more would abandon me?

Your rescue was no benign disinterested force. Behind it there was intent: to save.

Let me be saved, Lord.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I become more trusting that this is so?

Reading:

“Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.” — Max Lucado

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“The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” — Native American Proverb

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“He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.” — Psalm 18:16 (KJV)

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Drifting, called home.

At dawn: a table, a chair, a lamp, a book. Quiet reading before the day.

The words on the page, harder and harder to follow as my thoughts flee outside into the square. I scarcely know what I am looking at.

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Over and over, I drift.

Lord, bring my thoughts back to this room, this time, now. Over and over, bring me back.

This is its own form of rescue. Deliver me into this moment, Lord.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Where today do I need to be brought back?

Reading:

“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait.” — Franz Kafka

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“Each time you return, you practice the art of coming home to yourself.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

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“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

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Awake to wonder.

Rising early, walking the grounds. Miracles are all around me.

It is a miracle that the sun rose upon the valley; a miracle that the buds unfurled in the garden, a miracle that I am awake to see it all.

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A miracle is rightly met with surprise, gratitude. Let me find amazement, Lord, at all you have made so.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Where am I surprised and grateful in the face of this morning’s miracles?

Reading:

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

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“Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.” — Saint Augustine

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“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” — Psalm 118:23 (KJV)

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