Forgiveness

Lord,

When the natural order of things sometimes makes me feel battered and bruised

help me to remember that there are cycles of hurt and healing.  I will carry the memories with me but learn to incorporate them into my life in a way that adds meaning rather than despair.

Help me to remember, Lord, that when I need solace that I can turn to You no matter the time, the place, or the experience.

You will reach for me and let me know that You are near. I know that You don't usually take my hurts away because feeling them is good for my soul.  Life is full of disappointments, and sometimes feeling them makes us stronger.

Help me to surrender to You and to give you my pains so that we can share them.

Help me to remember that the grand scheme of things is bigger than my individual hurts.  I can always keep looking onward and upward and inward to find you because You whisper your presence into my ear in the little things.

Help the sun set on my hurts so that I can begin a new day today without letting them ruin new relationships, new experiences, and any new work you have for me to do.

Amen

Reaching for You

Lord,

Help me to be steady today.  I ask for even handedness as I work and drive and speak (and take pictures).

Breathe on me, that I might let kindness flow through my hands and words and spirit.

Let me steal from St. Francis and ask that you make me an instrument of your peace.

For where there is peace, there is mercy.  Your mercy.

Let me see You, Lord.  I know You listen and hear.  Let me listen and hear what others say and not just what I think they are saying.  In listening to others, let me reach for you.  Let me reach for understanding.

Amen