Well Pleased

Today, through faithful friends,
I hear God's kind confirmation:
"You are my beloved daughter,
with you I am well pleased."

Thank you, God, for:
*three hour lunches
*Hardware
*the number 5: God's grace!

Seeing a Star

I saw this lone starfish
on the beach
among countless shells
yesterday morning.
I bent down
and as my fingers felt
its cold wetness
I realized
it was still alive.
I timed my gentle toss
so that my sneakers
would not be soaked
and my feet frozen.
The starfish slipped
into the surf
and was gone.
Still alive!

God, help me to see
what is before me
and to do
what needs to be done.

Thank you, God, for:
*shells and starfish
*our amazing printer
*being with Daddy

Slow Down

I enjoyed a wonderful brunch
this morning with Margaret
at Folk Art in Inman Park
and was greeted by
my spirit animal
or mascot
or something
inviting me to
slow down
and
embrace life.

So, slow down I will!

Thank you, God, for:
*homemade blackberry jam
*staying in Margaret's nest
*Christmas in January thanks to Sarah

A Little Welcome

In little ways
and big ways
help me to
welcome
in 2016

Thank you, God, for:
*just right heart stamps
*remembering something correctly
*real life pictures of Downton Abbey folks

Observing That Star

Today is the day after Epiphany
and so I am putting away our Christmas decorations,
even the nativity scenes.
But I am going to keep the star
out where I can see it
throughout this season
of Epiphany.
I hope that each time
I observe that star
I will, like the wise men,
be overwhelmed with joy
and I will offer Jesus my gifts. . .
of this new year
of my true self
and of welcome.

Thank you, God, for:
*Margaret and Cassidy inviting their moms to lunch
*waking up before the alarm
*body prayer

For the Morning

New every morning is Your love, great God of light,
and all day long You are working for good in the world;
Stir up in us desire to serve you;
to live peacefully with our neighbors
and to devote each day to Your Son, our savior,
Jesus Christ. . .
(from Venite: A Book of Daily Prayer by Robert Benson)

Thank You, God, for:
*this new year: 2016
*the sun coming up again and again
*the grace of new beginnings

Welcome!

Across the field at Green Bough
this ginkgo tree
welcomed me
for the glory of God.

"Welcome one another,
therefore,
just as Christ has welcomed you,
for the glory of God."
(Romans 5:17)

Welcome "God with us"!
Welcome Love!

Welcome 2016!