The Morning Gift

 

Readings 071026

Every morning I rise  

and enter the small rhythm God has given—  

breakfast, medicine,  

and then that quiet place of prayer  

where my heart finally settles.

The first words of my prayers:  

"Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will proclaim Your praise."  

And in that moment,  

God begins His work.

Opening the Scriptures,  

and one verse always shines brighter—  

something I’ve seen,  

something I’ve felt,  

something the Holy Spirit  

presses gently into my heart.

Jesus tells us not to worry  

about what to say—  

for the Spirit of the Father  

will speak through us. 

Every morning carries that promise.

What I share is never mine.  

It is the Spirit speaking—  

through my weakness,  

through my simplicity,  

through my trust.

 

Straight are the paths of the Lord;

in them the just walk. 

His way is steady.  

He guides the willing heart.

Turning our hearts 

to what is good 

and to what is holy.  

God will consecrate every gift 

placed within us for His purpose.  

Our weaknesses

Our simplicity

Every step in our day. 

Prayer

Lord, open my lips,  

and let my heart rise to Your praise.  

Settle me again in the quiet rhythm 

You give each morning.  

Speak Your word 

into my weakness and simplicity.  

Guide my steps along 

Your straight and holy path.  

Consecrate every gift within me 

for Your purpose today.

Amen

Knowing God’s Friendship

Readings 070926

 

Knowing God’s friendship begins

when the soul surrenders—

not halfway,

not politely,

but entirely—

into the hands of Christ.

The depth of that surrender

is not a checklist.

It is not merely a matter of obligations met,

prayers counted,

or obvious sins avoided.

Rather, it is the slow, radical opening

of the interior castle

to the friendship of Jesus.

Yet, many never truly know Him

because they never truly seek Him.

They do not reach,

they do not stretch,

and they fail to quiet the subtle ego

that blinds the soul to His presence.

Through the prophet Hosea, God laments:

“The more I called them,

the farther they went from me…

yet they did not know

that I was their healer.”

This is the ache of the Divine Physician.

When Christ sends out His Apostles, 

He reveals the remedy:

“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Heal the sick,

Raise the dead,

Cleanse, and to cast out—

this is the active, outpouring grace of divine friendship.

Yet, love cannot be forced, 

and grace respects our freedom.

Where hearts refuse to welcome Him,

Christ tells His disciples: 

“Shake the dust from your feet.”

For true friendship must be chosen;

it must be received in poverty of spirit.

Turn toward Him now.

Let Christ be your constant companion,

your interior peace,

your steady fortress.

Surrender the small, 

daily selfishnesses that divide your heart.

Reach for Him in the quiet,

and know the transformative strength

of His enduring love.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Open the quiet rooms of my heart 

to Your friendship. 

Break the small selfishness 

that keeps me distant. 

Teach me to surrender fully 

into Your healing hands. 

Let Your Kingdom rise within me 

in simple, daily love. 

Hold me close in Your mercy.

Amen