Monday Morning Offering - 78

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

It’s almost time for us
to give each other gifts
on Jesus’ birthday -
and I hope you’ll forgive us
for getting that mixed up again this year!

So, there's lots of wrapping going on:
paper and foil, gift bags and boxes,
tags and tape, ribbons and bows…

Everyone’s wrapped up in wrapping -
and that includes me…

So what I offer you this morning, Lord,
are all the things I’m wrapped up in
that need unwrapping...

• I get wrapped up so easily in little things
while the big things that matter go undone…

Unwrap me, Lord, and make me faithful
to things deserving my priority…

• I get wrapped up in things that waste my time
and time is one of my most precious possessions…

Unwrap me, Lord, and make a good steward
of my days and nights, my work, my play and my rest…

• I get wrapped up in day dreams
and leave work on my real hopes untended…

Unwrap me, Lord, and sharpen my vision
of what’s real and what helps me truly grow…

• I get wrapped up in desires
for what I should not or cannot have…

Unwrap me, Lord, and give me a hunger
for what truly nourishes and satisfies…

• I get wrapped up in hurt and anger
that sap my energy for reaching out generously…

Unwrap me, Lord, and free my heart
to be with others and to do for others…

• And I wrap myself up in my self, too:
in my fears, my worries, my disappointments…

Unwrap me, Lord,
and let me see the blessings that are mine
and the gift of your presence, your comfort,
your mercy and your strength...

Unwrap me, Lord,
so that others can know and enjoy my gifts…

Unwrap me, Lord,
so that nothing hides me from you and your love
and the love of those around me…

I have Christmas gifts for others, Lord,
but it’s your birthday that's coming,
so I offer you my unwrapped heart
my opened faith, my unsealed trust…

Unwrap me, Lord,
I need your help,
for I cannot unwrap myself…

Amen.