Does the wood need me to stack it? Or is it equally ready in a pile?

The forest needs no tidying or straight hedges — it calls me instead to live within it and be another of its parts.

Lord, you call me not to incessantly do, but to reside with you. Here is where the peace can enter.

Let me seek you, be with you, align my heart with yours.

(Letter #4026)

The rooms and habits are tidy, but what of my thoughts? My mind runs like a hare, darting here and there without rest.

Grant me peace, Lord. Let inner life meet outer.

(Letter #4025)

Let this day be a day of anticipation, not resignation. Let me expect joy and search for it in every corner and crack.

The flowers bloom, the birds sing, the breeze carries the smell of gentle rains.

Is this not the fabric of our day? Is this not the world of joy?

(Letter #4024)

Gentle waves lapping at lakeside.

A walk on the shore.

Is this enough?

Will I have done your will, Lord, if only I can enjoy your bounty?

What greater obligation do we have?

(Letter #4023)

My thoughts like an unruly pet, running beyond the hedges.

Can I allow them to roam, and be still the other parts of me?

Can I accept the unruliness and serenity, all at once, without judging each?

Let me stay my mind on you, Lord.

(Letter #4022)

If I am last onto the ferry, I still cross the river no later than the rest. Why, then, do I shove ahead in line?

There is always room for another. Let me give way graciously today.

(Letter #4021)

Another dawn, another day.

Light spreads across the meadow and I cower, as if hoping the advancing shadow line will not reach me. Sunlight brings the rush of the day, which brings with it worry over what may yet be. Am I up to my tasks? Will a new challenge arise for which I am ill-prepared?

But the meadow sits, slowly brightening. Glory and beauty awaken while I hide behind a hedge.

You have laid out a path for me, Lord. Its course is known and the steep spots have stairs.

I am up to the journey, Lord, bestir me that I may cease this hiding.

(Letter #4020)

Worries over the coming day. Surely you will come to me and support me when I falter. This you did yesterday, and the day before.

I never believed; yet now I do. Is this some virtue of mine? Or do I merely recognize my own experience?

I tried to act as one who believes, and you revealed yourself to me!

Let me have faith today, Lord, as one who has seen and seen again your miracles.

(Letter #4019)

The day seems speeding forward even before the dawn is complete. Is this not illusion brought about by my own frantic thoughts?

Lord, let me breathe you in, and soothe my frayed nerves. Let me breathe out worry and woe.

Let the dawn complete its work; let me be still while the day awakes.

(Letter #4018)

Frost on grass.

Bundled in my warm rooms, I hesitate thinking about the brisk morning. But the chores await and the air will refresh.

Grant me willingness to enjoy what I will do anyway, Lord.

(Letter #4017)