Cracks of Life

Lord,

When I feel like curling up, going back to bed, and being lazy, remind me that there is work that you have for me to do.  Not just going to my job, but your work.

Help keep me focused and pointed toward what I can do for others rather than always looking inward toward my own wants.

When I fall, help me get back onto my feet.

When I feel that life is taking a bite out of me,

help me to remember that it is in your embrace by your passion, death, and resurrection that I am made whole.

For you show me everywhere that You are with me.

I need not look in far away places.

For You are at my side, ever helping me to rise out of the cracks of life.   Please help me to remember it. 

Caffeine

Lord,

Help me to see both the positive and negative sides to things so that I might rejoice in the positive and plan for the plans B, C, and D that are sometimes needed when things don't go as planned.

Help me to stay awake and see You today since this is the first business day that I have to abstain from caffeine yet be on an increased dose of medication that makes me tired.

Help me to also notice those things and people who need an answered prayer.  Help me discern those things I am able to do to help others yet still enable me to take some time for myself. 

Help me to not over-extend myself or become anxious over life.  Help me to trust in You.

Amen

Open Eyes

Lord,

Help me keep my eyes open today.

Help me keep them open so that I can work.  Open so I can drive.  Open so I can enjoy the company of a friend.  Most importantly, though, open so I can see You.

Oh yes, open so that I can prepare for my sleep-deprived EEG tomorrow too!

Amen!

Focus

Dear Lord,

Since I'll have my head down and working for longer than normal today, please give me colors.

For when I see colors, I see You.  Who else can make such colors?

Lord, let me be awed by your creation.  When I am awed, I forget about my muscle spasms.  :-)

When I am awed, I must think about how the work I do is valuable because just as You made colors, You made me.

Just as You made colors, You made those around me.  All those around me.  Not just the people I like.

You made everyone beautiful, even when I don't see the beauty.  I must still treat everyone as beautiful.

I must always remember that You died on the cross for the sake of everyone's salvation, so I mustn't ever judge myself more worthy than another.  We all make choices and then make more choices and then make more choices.

Lord,

Help me to stay focused today.  Focused on my work.  Focused on my driving.  Focused on staying awake.  Most importantly, focused on seeing You in others.

Lord,

Hold my hand today.  I am in need of a Companion today, especially as these jerks/spasms continue to get worse every day.  Hold my hand and let me focus on You rather than the electricity everywhere in my body.

Amen.

When...

Lord,

When I am busy and running all over the place to get things done, remind me that your work is not the world's work.

When I am zapped of all energy from electric shocks and involuntary jerks in my body, remind me that I am weak and broken and must turn to You.

When I wake and want to do nothing more than turn over and go back to sleep, remind me that your work awaits.

When my hands and feet shake, remind me that steadiness and steadfastness in my spirit outweigh being able to type or write or hold anything in my hands.

When my head is forced forward or to the side in a burst of energy, remind me that if I look to You and to nothing and no one else that I will be ok.

When I grunt with these jolts of electricity and people look at me sideways, remind me that words and song and sound are not always meant for what people think is important.

When I feel all the warning signs that the jolts are going to start: prickling, itching, twitching, etc., help my anxiety to ease, for I have nothing to be anxious about if I walk with You, see You in others, and then treat them the way that I should since You are in them.

Amen

Good Things

Lord,

Help me to see You in all good things.

Help me to see that green is not to remind me always of envy or money, but of your creation.

Lord,

Help me to remember that white is not only the color of purity, but of your blossoms.

Purple is not only the color of Kings but of your fragrance.

Lord,

Help me to remember that the setting and rising of the sun and moon are for many reasons, but also to remind me of your presence.

Lord,

Help me to see you in even the smallest of things, in the things others overlook.

Lord,

Keep my mind on how you provide for me, on the clothes of the lilies of the field.  Take my anxiety away on things like what tomorrow will hold, clothing, food, shelter, my JOB.

For not even Solomon, in all of his splendor was dressed as one of these...

Or these...

Or these...

Lord,

Point me to your forgiveness.

And to your mercy.

Keep me upright in your eyes.

Lord,

Thank you for showing me your colors today.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture some of them with my camera (cell phone).  Thank you for giving me a steady hand as I snapped pictures.  Thank you for not allowing my muscle spasms to interfere with my pictures.

Thank you again, my Lord, for a steady hand during these moments of my day.

Thank you, my God, for steady hands for most of the day while I worked at my job.

Thank you, Lord, for guiding my mind to seek You and to want to know You.  Give me the will to do so all the days of my life.

Lord, teach me your ways.  Guide me as I practice, and practice, and practice.

Amen.