In the not knowing, there is breathing room;
an invitation to trust Her slow moving rhythm.
Sit long and ask Her every single question
not to find an answer but
to sink even deeper into the not knowing.
Pay attention to the specks of light,
rising from the darkness;
Trust Her light will reach you.
Until then, sense the circles of love encompassing you.
May Her love hold you in every not knowing.
Author of Beauty, who colors beyond the lines with blooms out of season,
Changes happen in rhythmic response to rotations of the earth. New light comes in through open spaces and dark nights blanket us in. Teach us to accept and adapt to both. Expose these life-giving patterns and designs in our relationship with you until the colors of your mercy extend grace-filled clarity and hope. Then together, we can breathe in thanksgiving. Amen.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27
Love Whisperer, who inclines human hearts toward a mystery,
Speak soft words to melt our hearts this day. Gently invite us to further trust. Suspend our judgment. Unlock our hidden truths so that we open ourselves to the depths of your grace. Transform our shame into freedom. Deepen our intent to listen for you and move us to act on Love alone. Amen.
And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Generous Giver, who makes time our home, day to day, and week to week,
Today, we can choose to listen for the song of birds, to let their chirping drown out the hum of traffic beyond. Today, we can watch the sun’s rays lick the dew drops from blades of grass. Creation is alive and today, we can choose to draw near to the Source of all life in the complexity of our experiences. We admit that on most days, rather than you, we trust only in ourselves. Today, help us choose your silent strength over our noisy clatter and clumsy efforts. You are the Key that unlocks our illusions to bring us truth today. Let us all be grateful for this day. Amen.
Merciful Goodness,
who vibrancy and healing beauty comes out of the dark earth,
Exhausted, we come, entering into your Presence after wandering in the wilderness. When our failures and limitations are exposed, help rid them of any power to hold us back from you. Feed us once again with “what’s this?“ manna, your precious bread from heaven. Shape us into a trusting community. As we center our whole lives on your Presence, make us able to hear our neighbor’s breath and feel the pulse of life in our sisters and brothers beside us. You are the Other upon whom all relationships build. Amen.
Indwelling Spirit, whose energy renews life,
We admit that sometimes we avoid the silence, we hold our breath gasping at the trouble we see in our world. Steady our souls to spend time in your Presence. Help us to take one breath at a time. Rather than holding so tightly in our attempts to maintain the past, release even our rational fears and forget our problem solving and planning. Move our hearts forward in trust to find what is needed most is already in front of us, within us and beside us. Open us to receive your Living Presence so that we can willingly enter your reworking of creation. May all that emerges in our community life be evidence of the perseverance of your Spirit alive in us all. Amen.
Giver of Life, who is as close as our breath,
We begin this day in your Presence, slowly finding the true source of our energy. Help us to simply be still in these moments; renew our vitality through resting in your peace. Give us a glimpse of your deep riches found in unexpected times and places. Increase our trust in all that you provide. Fill our soul’s with compassion, like your overflowing rivers, reaching beyond ourselves to satisfy the world’s people who are desperate for recovery in their lives. Amen.
Gentle Restorer, who provides the rhythm for activity and for rest,
As darkness deepens, we pause to abide more fully in your Presence. Help us to become aware of how much is happening below the surface of our vision. Sometimes things are not as they appear at all. Sometimes the night is where our creativity emerges. Give us the sense to trust your wisdom even when our understanding is dim. Remind us of the promise of light that arrives when the new day dawns. Amen.
Healing Presence, who delivers us out of the haze of our distractions,
Touch with tenderness any who are separated from you. Teach us to trust the silence which brings us to your accepting love. Brighten our lives through the kindness and beauty existing amongst us, moving us to participate in the recovery of another. Soften our tongues to be those who speak words of your mercy, justice and peace throughout this day. Amen.
Servant of All, whose generous mercy creates unity,
Center us through this moment of silence. Let all else fall away except for an awareness of your Presence. Cleanse us with the purity of your love. Open our hands to surrender the things we grasp. Widen our hearts to release one another from intolerance. Create renewal within our communities through paths of acceptance and trust. Amen.
Janet Salbert 